Optimism is always rampant at this time of year and VMI got some good kids but it still is what it is. VMI rarely wins more than 2 games per year. They can't recruit with the big schools and rarely get early commitments, where as most of the great talents are locked in before their Senior year starts.
Could you explain what you mean about VMI kids that are "academically ineligible at most schools" further? I agree VMI gets senior year late bloomers but, it is not my perception they are taking many, if any, academic risks, certainly in comparison to "most schools". Balancing academics against the other commitments of a military school is a challenge even for academically qualified kids.
Do you actually know their academic status? Maybe Devils will chime in on Palmer. Seems to me they are VMI type kids in that they are good athletes whose measurables are not quite FBS or upper tier FCS. Maybe things are changing in Lexington but, in the past VMI, to the best of my knowledge, didn't double down by taking shots on academic question marks and then adding the military rigors on top.
VMI is not a preparatory school like Fork Union! The only thing they have in common is the military angle, that's where the comparison stops. This is one of those times you should retract your statement, not applicable here.
ANY D1 player must be deemed eligible by the NCAA clearinghouse. They can't play if they don't meet the academic standards period. VMI must abide by those rules too. VMI recruits good players who may not get the FBS recruiter's attention. It has nothing to do with their academics as to why they are not going to an FBS school and attending VMI.
Any next level player must meet NCAA clearinghouse standards. VMI abides by those rules also. But the average GPA for freshman admitted to VT or UVA is 3.85. Each leaves leeway for Athletics but minimums must still be met, which is why one of the first questions out of a recruiters mouth is "what is his GPA"?
Not a surprise really, despite your comparison of VMI to Fork Union Prep. Avg GPA for a VMI entrant 3.5 (Obviously this is an average and doesn't mean each athlete acquired a GPA that high) Avg GPA for a Fork Union Postgraduate probably hovers around a 2.3. The military component is the only point of comparison. Retraction or not Shauntclair, you're just flat out wrong here.
The old adage "when you find yourself in a hole quit digging" applies here, in my opinion. Not sure how the GPA's of admitted freshman is relevant to your original point but, would be happy to entertain your explanation. The FUMA comparison is a nonstarter and erroneous analogy for reasons already pointed out to you. The real point is that VMI does not now and has not ever recruited kids that "would be academically ineligible at most schools" as you originally asserted. By rule that is an impossibility. Furthermore, I believe if you were to compare the academic qualifications of athletes at VMI as a whole with the composite of their counterparts at "most" schools they would stack up comparably, if not favorably. A retraction may or may not be necessary at present, however, it is a certainty that your original assertion/opinion is in need of support before it is possible to conclude that your point could actually be valid.
Dazmine Palmer has a 3.2 GPA and was going to go to JMU until the coaching change. VMI kept recruiting him hard, he liked his visit, he committed. We had 7 Seniors sign on signing day with colleges and all have over a 3.0 GPA. Carney fell a little short and will attend FUMA, but will sign with a big time school after spending some time there.
Alex Ramsey is looking to become the next Spartan to join the Keydets. The decision came down to VMI or Towson. Looks like he wants to join the 4 Spartans from last year: QB Coulling, WR Parker, DE Peregoy, LB Fedison. I'm not sure if Alex would be used at FB or DE.
Valid point. Have to be able to document support for an argument at this point. Will do my best to support or debunk. Not afraid of either outcome.
