Sting Factor: Artur Sitkowski's decommitment from Miami
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Miami fans were at least a little surprised when longtime quarterback commit Artur Sitkowski changed his commitment from the Hurricanes to Rutgers on Wednesday night. The change of heart came in the midst of a memorable Miami season that sees the Hurricanes in the early hunt for a College Football Playoff spot.
Sitkowski, who plays his high school football at IMG Academy, is originally from the Northeast, and Rutgers, his home state school, seems to be taking a step or two forward from the disaster of years past. How big of a loss is it for Miami? We analyze it on a local, regional and national level and take a look at what’s next for Miami.
LOCAL REACTION
“I don't see this as a big deal at all for Miami. Malik Rosier has to be considered a frontrunner to hold the starting job through next season, Evan Shirreffs still has two years left and N'Kosi Perry and Cade Weldon are both redshirting this year. it didn’t look real favorable for Artur unless he was able to come in and outshine at least Perry and Weldon. It probably is a better opportunity for him right now at Rutgers.” — CaneSport.com publisher Gary Ferman
Sting factor: 3
REGIONAL REACTION
This is a nice get for upstart Rutgers, but I’m not sure how much it hurts Miami. Sitkowski is in the midst of an uneven senior season at IMG, so it’s unclear how hard the Hurricanes even fought to keep him. Miami has two true freshman quarterbacks on its roster and may look to get involved with Jacob Eason should he decide to transfer from Georgia following the season. Add in the fact that Miami is having the type of season that may entice a player committed elsewhere to flip, and you get a broken commitment that doesn’t hurt much more than a prick of the finger. — Rivals.com Southeast analyst Rob Cassidy
Sting factor: 2.5
NATIONAL REACTION
“I’ll give this a three only because he’s a quarterback and it’s so late in the process, but based on the way he has played this year, I have to imagine either Miami dropped him or they didn’t fight too hard to keep him.” -- Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell
Sting factor: 3
Total sting score: 2.83
WHAT'S NEXT?
What’s next? Well, nothing. Sitkowski is likely to sign with Rutgers and his recruitment will end on that note. Another change of heart would be shocking.
