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Twitter can be a wonderful resource.
It’s helped spur political revolutions. It’s connected survivors in times of tragedy. It’s bridged cultural, generational, and ideological gaps.
And it’s regularly used to harangue high school football recruits before they’ve taken the first snaps of their collegiate careers.
Filters and brains tend to get shut off at times on Twitter, particularly when discussing our alma maters. Twitter users routinely hammer away at recruits, despite the fact that no tweet from a fan ever influenced a player’s decision. Ever.
Here is a sampling of some of the tweets that get sent to 2016 SEC recruits and how to identify them.
JACOB EASON, GEORGIA QB
Considered the class of 2016’s top quarterback prospect, Jacob Eason re-entered the recruiting process late in the year, flirting with Florida before finally recommitting to Georgia. This, naturally, caused an outpouring on Twitter.
Guilt Trip
@skinnyqb10 It’s Great to be a Florida Gator!!! GO GATORS!!! My 12 year old is already asking for a #10 Gators Jersey!!!
— Michael McHugh (@BigMike118) December 15, 2015
Teen…err…umm…spirit
Just saw @skinnyqb10 for the first time on campus and I’m swooning 😛😛😛 — Madison (@maddielupo) January 22, 2016
Straight-up Cruel
@KirbySmartUGA @skinnyqb10 pic.twitter.com/RSKQVbUqAT
— Jacub Easun (@skinnyqb10_pls) January 12, 2016
RASHAN GARY, UNDECLARED DT
Rashan Gary is considered the No. 1 recruit in the nation by many and is thusly hearing from all corners of Twitter in an attempt to lure the five-star defensive tackle to their respective schools — including Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss, to name a few. Expected to announce his decision on Feb. 3, Gary should find plenty of advice on Twitter.
Animated Love
lets do something special @RashanGary33 @_DrewSingleton @Donald_Stewart8 pic.twitter.com/5hSr9yfOer — GoBlue Edits (@GBedits) January 23, 2016
And this one from Clemson…
I think @RashanGary33 The nations #1MAN looks pretty good in ORANGE!!! Before and AFTER!!! #UPGRADE #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/r3Wo1oRRVO — TIGERS CLEMSON (@TIGER_FAMILY81) January 14, 2016
SHEA PATTERSON, OLE MISS QB
Ole Miss believes they have their heir apparent to Chad Kelly in quarterback Shea Patterson, a five-star recruit who has already enrolled in classes in Oxford. Guess he has some explaining to do @Cody_Walker9, who is in no way related to Arkansas running back Kody Walker. Passive Pride
If u get offered by Alabama and go anywhere else I don’t understand.. not mentioning names.. @SheaPatterson_1 — Dutch (@Cody_Walker9) January 12, 2016
CAVIN RIDLEY, GEORGIA WR
Cavin Ridley earned the scorn of Alabama and South Carolina recently for, instead, choosing Georgia. This really hit home with Gamecock Nation, who was convinced that the younger brother of Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley was taking his talents to Columbia. Meanwhile, fans took to Twitter.
Too Soon
Welcome to the family, @RidleyCa!! #WeCocky #SpursUp #Gamecocks 🐔
— BOOMTASTIC (@JetSweep843) January 2, 2016
Smack Talk
@RidleyCa hope you’re ready to play against a Muschamp-TRob defense… You done messed up now #SpursUp #BADdecision — Brent Barfield (@brent_barfield) January 8, 2016
Bitter Life Advice
@RidleyCa Newsflash, this crap you pulled with South Carolina won’t fly in the real world, your decision is no harder than anyone else’s.
— Nathan Conner (@Mr_Marsupial) January 8, 2016
Class and respect
@RidleyCa Best of luck to you Cavin. Hope you have a great career at UGA except when you’re playing against South Carolina. — Bryan (@RushRush74) January 8, 2016
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
