So I Hear Perrilloux Is Available?

Amidst a bevy of big news breaks in the world of NCAA Football this week, the biggest story is the announcement that LSU Coach, Les Miles, sent highly touted recruit and heir to the starting quarterback job, Ryan Perrilloux packing. Perrilloux had a history of missing meetings, getting into off-the-field distractions, such as a night club fight (shocking, I know), and generally setting a poor example for teammates. Allegedly, the most recent slip up was a failed drug test, but that information is not confirmed, so take that with a grain of salt.

Anyway, thias shocking release from the LSU undoubtedly has the rest of the nation's coaching staff thinking, "How bad could he really be? We can turn that kid around." It's an interesting dilemma for coaches in need of a speedy quarterback. The glitch is that Perrilloux getting kicked off the team, does not mean he is fair game for Division 1 programs. If he was, you can bet your ass Perrilloux would be sitting on Rich Rodriguez's couch right now - at least for a conversation.

NCAA Regulations prohibit him for transferring to a D-1 program, but he is eligible to transfer for a 1-AA program to play in the upcoming season. This is probably the most likely scenario and rumors are circulating that the might Appalachian State is already dialing his digits. Clearly, if I-AA is the option, Appalachian State is the most logical place for him. They now have national notoriety given the upset last least against some Big Ten team (I forget who it was). Also, the offense at Appalachian State is perfectly suited to his shifty mobility in the pocket and cannon-like arm strength,

Conversely, I think Perrilloux would be wise to consider taking the year off and waiting to transfer to a big time program (i.e., Michigan). The reason I say this is not because I am itching to get him to play for Rodriguez, but that he severely damaged his "character," which we've all heard ad-nausea is a bug factor in the NFL evaluation process. In taking a year off, Perrilloux could prove his discipline and get his priorities in order. Certainly with the help of some guidance he could enroll himself in some personal growth program, prove he is making the grades, and basically stage his own PR campaign that "I'm all growns up.".

By taking a year off and proving he can mature as an adult, he will likely have a better chance at making an impact in the 2010 draft. If he goes and puts up huge numbers at Appy State, scouts and front offices will think exactly what they think now. This is a kid with tremendous athletic ability, but his character is shoddy and he is a liability for the team, both on the football field and from a media and PR perspective. It's a small scale Michael Vick debate. Do you take a guy everybody else passes on, because they break the rules or do you win at all costs?

The debate is a tricky one, but at this point, Perrilloux should make his first priority about getting his life straightened out and proving to the football community that he is ready to make a real commitment. This is more important than 1,500 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in an inferior conference. Clearly, he has made some bad decisions, but often we forget that these are just kids. This one needs to grow up and focus on getting back on the field... a Division 1 field.