Buckeye fans like to make up excuses when top in-state talent flees to Michigan, and in the case of Justin Boren, it was too easy. With a family full of Michigan grads, including a father that starred for the Wolverines, there weren't many surprises when the Pickerington star choose Michigan over Ohio State. Boren started as a true sophomore, and along Steve Schilling, was thought to be one of the returning anchors of the Michigan offensive line.
That all changed in spring practice, when Boren did not mesh will with The Rod and his new staff. He abruptly left the team, claiming the coaches were abusive and that the "family values" that the program was built on "have eroded". His family had some rather unpleasant parting words for the school. Other than announcing his departure, The Rod was generally mum on the topic. He only talks about players who are part of the program, which is why you haven't heard him utter a word about Terrelle Pryor yet.
Given the attrition that has occurred at Michigan - including two stud players like Ryan Mallet and Justin Boren being run off - exactly what is going on? Is this just a situation in which a radical change is causing players to re-think their option and leave if they don't fit it? Had the Michigan program become lazy, and was The Rod just imposing his will to whip the players into shape? Or did the coaches cross the line, perhaps not caring if they weeded out players that aren't a great fit for their system? The complicated truth is probably somewhere in between, but it certainly has caused some consternation among Michigan alums and fans.
That might have been the end of the story, but speculation immediately began that Boren would do the unthinkable - transfer to Ohio State. His father all but said he would have recommended Ohio State over Michigan if he knew how things would play out. The rumor kicked into overdrive when Boren attended one of Ohio State's spring practices. At this time, no official decision has been made while Boren wraps up his time in Ann Arbor.
It seems like Boren will be attneding the same university as his brother Zach, a 2009 fullback prospect. Should they choose Ohio State, Justin would have to sit out 2008 and would be ineligible for a scholarship' Big Ten rules prohibit a player from transferring in-conference and receiving a free ride.
The move would turbo-charge the already heated rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State. Boren would be viewed as a low-life, cry-baby traitor by Michigan, while Ohio State fans will welcome him with open arms. Much like in politics, the reactions would surely be the same if the situation was reversed. It does bring up some interesting questions, like whether a player can really jump from one side a rivalry to another. Or does it even matter to the players the same way fans perceive it?
Boren would be a formidable addition to the Ohio State line in 2009. Given that both starting guards will graduate, Boren would have a great shot at starting immediately. I'm just trying to picture how ugly his reception will be at the Big House on November 21, 2009.
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