Dominique Easley Decommits from Penn State, Needs Geography Lesson

July 28, 2010 – | View Comments

Penn State has produced plenty of quality offensive linemen–and that’s pretty much a given when you consider just how solid the running game has been just about every year in the past 50. But only one Penn Stater ever received the highest honor for his …

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Dominique Easley Decommits from Penn State, Needs Geography Lesson

Submitted by Devon on December 31, 2009 – View Comments

The recruitment of Dominique Easley has long been a curious one. The 4-star, stud defensive end long considered among the best prospects in the northeast and best defensive linemen in the country, originally sought to commit to Florida, according to some reports, but apparently found that request rebuffed by Urban Meyer, and the rest of the Gators staff. Dejected, the Staten Island turned to Penn State. committing during his official visit to Happy Valley, and it seemed that Larry Johnson had pulled off another recruiting coup. However, it seems like Easley’s heart was never set on the Blue and White, and, though he reaffirmed his commitment to Penn State a couple weeks ago, Easley also said that he was considering Oregon, and then announced that he would make his final decision during the Under Armour All America Game. Alas, it was to the surprise of just a small few when Easley virtually cut out the middle man, decommitting from Penn State last night, and ESPN broke the news:

“Penn State’s a good school but I wanted to get off the East Coast and do something different,” he said.

I can’t say I understand the rationale of a New Yorker heading completely across the country, but if the guy says he wants to get away from the East Coast, well, I guess Oregon’ll be a good fit for Easley. It certainly isn’t on the East Coast, for one thing.

Wait, there’s more?

The ESPNU 150 talent is now seriously considering Oregon and Miami-FL. He visited the Ducks on Dec. 4th and has not taken an official visit to Miami.

Hey, Dom, I want you to take a look at something:

It really doesn’t get more “East Coast” than Miami. Sure, I understand that you want to get away from New York, and Penn State’s a lot closer than Miami is, but jeez, man choose your words a bit more carefully. State College is about 250 miles from the East Coast, while Miami is a beach town.

I’m not bitter that Easley is choosing to spur Penn State, it happens. I wish kids who made a “commitment” would understand the meaning of the word, but the fact is that we’re talking about 17 and 18 year old kids, and I won’t blame them for being fickle. In the future though, I’d advise all prospective recruits to consult a map before making declarative statements.

If you’re a Penn State fan, it’s not time to panic yet. Easley may have been a gem, but we’ve still got a commit list full of 4 and 5-star studs, and we’re still right in the thick of things for some other top recruits, notably Marcus Lattimore and Mike Thornton. Plus, we’ve got Larry Johnson, and if there’s any coach I trust to turn any defensive line recruit into a potential All-American, it’s LJ. I’m playing this off as though Easley had never committed, and you know what, the future’s still pretty bright without Dom. For his sake, I hope it’s a decision he doesn’t regret for the rest of his life, but I remain adamant in saying that for anybody in his shoes, Penn State would be the best choice.

Releated Posts:

Teresa Easley

Teresa Easley writting : You just spent unknown amount of your time writting an article trashing a 17yr old kid you don't know. Get a life and move on. Go Gator's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
psudevon

Took me about 20 minutes. I write for a blog, the objective of which is to tell our readers what's going on in the world of Penn State football. Easley's decommitment was just that. I didn't trash him at all ("the fact is that we’re talking about 17 and 18 year old kids, and I won’t blame them for being fickle"), but merely reasserted my Penn State pride ("I remain adamant in saying that for anybody in his shoes, Penn State would be the best choice.") and poked fun at what I'm now told wasn't a simple miswording in a statement. Thanks for stopping by.
Mike

"I’m not bitter that Easley is choosing to spur Penn State, it happens."

Sure you're bitter....the article is peppered with bitterness and pettiness. Let's face it, Penn St. has not been a powerhouse for a while now. Florida is one of the 'it' schools for the past several years and they play in the SEC which is the best conference in the nation, bar none. I'm sure Mr. Easley will be getting quite the football education down there.
Scott

Easley's best chance at making it to the next level is at Penn State or possibly Miami. I don't think Oregon is known for churning out 1st or 2nd round defensive linemen. Use your head Easley!
Todd - Portland

He verbally committed to PSU, which means very little and shouldn't call to question his understanding of the meaning of the word "Commitment". And to call Miami "east coast" is asinine. I've never heard someone call Miami the "east coast". When you go to Hawaii, do you say you're going to the "west coast"? Is Alaska the "Pacific Northwest"? You sure come across as bitter.

Go Ducks.
bayoufightonstate

Easley was wrong, he should have said he wanted to get out of the northeast rather than simply the East Coast.
psudevon

Come on, now. Is Seattle Washington any less "West Coast" than San Diego? East Coast is the Atlantic Coast, and West Coast is the Pacific Coast. Miami is definitely east coast.
Bill S.

I guess you don't really know how Easley is using the word. It probably would have been better if you would have known where he was coming from instead of jumping to a conclusion. In popular usage, what the kid is saying is fine. The majority of people living in the "Northeast" (which includes New York, where he is from), do not include Florida or many of the other southern states when referring to the "East Coast". You are actually in the minority here, Devon (in how you define word). That's why it really seems like you are "splitting hairs" in this article.
psudevon

Really? I guess so, although I know other Lion fans have pointed out the seemingly hypocritical statement. I'm not blaming this on Easley for leaving Penn State, and maybe I'm just arguing semantics, but it does seem like Miami is on the East Coast to me.
Bill S.

Yeah, same here Davis. When I hear Miami, I don't think "East Coast". Mentioning that the kid needed a geography lesson was a bit too much. Talk about "grasping at straws" to prove a point. I can't believe he included that in the article.
bayoufightonstate

We consider Florida an East coast state. And aren't they? They are on the Eastern seaboard right?
Bill S.

Among people that live in the East, we generally don't consider Florida the "East Coast" (as the link above states).
psudevon

I live in New York. I consider Maine to Florida the East Coast.
Davis Shaver

While Miami is indeed on the eastern coast of the United States, I don't think it's fair to say that Miami is "East Coast" in the way the term is popularly used (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Coast_of_the_...).