A tale of crootin’ shenanigans
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Of all the changes in college football over the last few years, the one that harvested part of our souls is the loss of Signing Day tales of tomfoolery.
Prior to 2017, there was only one Signing Day, which fell on the first Wednesday of February. In 2017, an early December signing period became an option for recruits and slowly erased the relevance of that gloriously messy Wednesday in February.
Since the arrival of the December period, more recruits began signing with their selected schools early rather than endure more months of endless texts, DMs, and calls related to recruiting. Throw in the excitement of tracking transfer portal classes in December/January, and the original Signing Day belongs in a museum.
This loss means a severe decline in tales of hiding 18-year olds in church basements to keep them away from opposing coaching staffs, postponed signing ceremonies because more money from another school showed up, and sending recruits to hunting camps so double secret not even their families knew where they were.
While these stories are on the endangered species list, we occasionally get a tale worthy of the Signing Day museum. This week brought us such a tale with the events surrounding high school recruit Ben’Jarvius Shumaker’s choice of school.
Because this story has so many moving parts, let’s break it down starting with the basics.
Who is Ben’Jarvius Shumaker?
He is a 4-star defensive lineman from Ackerman, Mississippi and attends Choctaw County High School. He committed to Ole Miss in March but took official visits to Texas and Colorado in recent weeks.
Wait, his name is BenJarvus?
No, it’s Ben’Jarvius.
Because you know, Ole Miss once had a running back nam-
Yes, we all remember BenJarvus Green-Ellis. This guy’s first name includes an apostrophe and an “i,” which makes them not the same.
Can we call this new guy The Law Firm?
No, that doesn’t make any sense. His name doesn’t sound like four names together, which was the joke. Look, can we move on?
Fine. So what happened with Shumaker and his commitment?
On Monday after returning from his Colorado visit, he reaffirmed his Ole Miss commitment and said he was done with recruiting. Then on Tuesday morning, he announced, “Jk, I’m committed to Colorado,” or something similar.
Why Colorado?
Feeling comfortable with the coaching staff, money, the Flatirons, money, Upslope Brewing Company, money, belief in Colorado’s plan for him, or [gestures at all things Boulder, especially in the spring and summer].
Any combination of these things probably changed his mind. Also, he’s in high school.
Okay, that flip is a little wild, but there has to be more, right?
Correct!
On Tuesday evening about 8 hours after his Colorado commitment, Shumaker released a statement on Twitter (X, the everything app), most likely between banking transactions, that said, “MEGA JK, I’m sticking with Ole Miss and now my recruitment is over” or something of that nature.
So if you’re scoring at home, that’s Ben’Jarvius Shumaker:
- Ole Miss commit
- Former Ole Miss commit
- New Colorado commit
- Former Colorado commit
- New Ole Miss commit
And all in the span of about 36 hours.
Yeah, that is worthy of the Signing Day museum. Why the flip back to Ole Miss?
Feeling comfortable with the coaching staff, money, Handy Andy, money, The Growler, money, belief in Ole Miss’ plan for him, or [gestures at all things Oxford, especially in the spring and fall].
Any combination of these things probably changed his mind. Also, he’s in high school.
Is there anything else?
In his actual statement on Twitter, Shumaker apologized for “any confusion,” said he’s done with recruiting (allegedly for real this time), and will sign with Ole Miss.
Sign with Ole Miss in December or February?
Buddy, and I cannot stress this enough, who’s to say?
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