February 1 every year has become a big date on the college football calendar as universities and their fans await news on which top players will commit to attending, and playing for, those schools after their graduations from high school. However, a piece of news out of Orlando today certainly underscores for us here at Liberty Park Press how one’s poor decisions, especially in the very intense spotlight of the recruiting process, can change the fortunes not just for the athlete, but perhaps for his prospective school’s team as well.
The story concerns one Donovan Winter, a star senior defensive player at a private Catholic high school in the central Florida city, or, actually, now a former star senior defensive player at a private Catholic high school in the central Florida city. You see, young Mr. Winter is spending today’s National Letter of Intent signing day, a day that star football players like him look forward to, in a Florida jail accused of burglary and larceny with a firearm, according to ESPN citing jail records.
The young man, who was expected to put pen to paper on a letter of intent to attend school and play football for Michigan State University, was arrested Monday, reported the sports television network, and is currently cooling his heels in the jail on $2,000 bond. Specifics of what he’s alleged to have done are not known, but ESPN reported he’s been ordered to appear in court next month on the charges.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that the player no longer attends school at that private Catholic high school, and when contacted, his father refused to comment.
What this could mean for the player and his future program is unknown, but it goes to show that choices bring consequences.
More from both ESPN and the Sentinel.
