McGuffie Considering Rice

[50's PONY]

December 18, 2008
Owls, Sam McGuffie share a dance
To the victor go the spoils.

It's safe to assume that after Sam McGuffie became a YouTube sensation, he couldn't locate Rice U with Google maps and a Sherpa. But homesick stars tend to gravitate toward winning programs with local appeal, so when McGuffie left Michigan earlier this month, the Owls magically wound up on his short list of potential landing spots.

On Thursday, the impact of the Owls' nine-win season was apparent. McGuffie stood on the home sideline flanked by his father, David Bailiff and Chris Del Conte. It was a surreal scene when juxtaposing the Owls' lightweight status on the recruiting trail against the national hubbub McGuffie created when he ditched school on Signing Day 2008 after experiencing a last-second conflict regarding his commitment to the Wolverines. McGuffie has a sullied reputation, so some took his actions as grandstanding. Regardless of public opinion, the casual fan cared where McGuffie would play college ball.

He could wind up on South Main. McGuffie contacted Rice coaches three weeks ago and expressed a sincere interest in the program (he had Michigan send Rice a scholarship release). He checked out Texas A&M - the presumed front runner for his services - on Wednesday, but made good on a pledge to visit Rice. He will return on Friday to take in the academic and residential wings of campus. McGuffie peppered Owls safety Travis Bradshaw - a Cy-Fair High teammate and close confidant - with queries on the Rice experience, so all signs point to his seriously considering the Owls. How serious is anyone's guess.

McGuffie appeared hesitant to discuss the process, mumbling responses - "I'm just looking around, just checking out Rice basically" - to pointed questions. When asked how significant a role relocating near Houston played in his decision to leave Ann Arbor, he said, "I just want to be closer." His behavior was indicative of someone who didn't want to be bothered, but that ran contrary to the maize and blue cap and Michigan t-shirt that made him stick out like a sore thumb.

While his father willingly obliged a local television reporter for an on-camera interview, McGuffie seemed to be planning his escape. But the spotlight shines bright on some, something the Owls will come to understand as a winning outfit. However, the glare didn't cause us to overlook Lane Johnson, a recruit of interest who played quarterback at Kilgore College but projects as a tight end for the Owls.

Per NCAA transfer rules, McGuffie will sit out the 2009 season but will have three years of eligibility remaining. He'll enroll at the school of his choosing in January.

Posted by Moisekapenda Bower at December 18, 2008 07:49 PM

[SMU21TCU10]

I wonder how rice will be next year without Dillard and Clement. Didnt they have a transfer QB from Bama though? That should be eligable this next year?

[that's great raplh]

boo

[Mustang98]

Too bad McGuffie wouldn't work in June Jones' system.