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David Beaudin guides athletes at a football practice before semifinal game.
Nolan Catholic head coach David Beaudin responds to NCAA dead period extension
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been almost a year since recruits were able to visit a school. The current ban on in-person recruiting was put into place in March 2020. With the NCAA extension on the dead period, the dead period will last far longer than a year. The council has a plan to provide an update on potential return to in-person recruiting no later than April 15.
Fort Worth Nolan Catholic's head football coach, David Beaudin, took to Twitter on Wednesday to share his response to the NCAA's decision:
In Beaudin's letter, he chalks the NCAA's decision up to three possibilities:
- The NCAA is "so far out of touch with reality" and this decision is based on ignorance.
- The NCAA's interests "don't align with what is best for the young people under [their] umbrella" and instead lie in virtue signaling, money, or not wanting the backlash that comes with "strong leadership".
- The NCAA simply doesn't care.
Beaudin lays out his hope for the future by describing that the ones who need to be thought about in decisions like this are the student-athletes who are making major life choices blindly due to the NCAA's extension. His plea? For the NCAA to try their best to make decisions in the best interest of "the next generation of leaders in this world."
Beaudin closes out his letter reminding the NCAA, fans, and student-athletes alike that the younger generation is extremely resilient given all they have had to go through thus far and that this is yet another road bump they will plow over. "We will find a way - always do," wrote Beaudin.
Head Coach David Beaudin watches athletes workout at practice.Shana Willeford (VYPE Media)
Vincent Paige celebrates a big tackle against All Saints Episcopal School during the TAPPS Division I semi-final game at Globe Life Park (12/05/2020)
Vincent Paige: North Texas' first 2022 commit
Paige, who has played part of his high school career at Denton Guyer, chose Louisiana Tech's Conference USA rival North Texas. "North Texas is close to home," Paige explained. "I felt like it would be the best choice for me."
As a three-star recruit, Paige has made his presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area known for both Nolan Catholic high school and Denton Guyer. In 2019, Paige helped lead Guyer to the Class 6A Division II state title game. In 2020, Paige helped lead Nolan Catholic to the TAPPS Division I state title game. During his first season with the Vikings, the 6'3" 235 pound junior recorded 72 total tackles, 44 solo tackles, and 5 sacks averaging 8 tackles per game. Paige also recovered three fumbles.
Paige is ranked as the No. 31 top weak side defensive ends in the 2022 recruiting class according to 247Sports. His commitment to the Mean Green program marks the first 2022 commit that North Texas has reeled in. Although he still has plenty of time ahead of his senior season, Paige wanted to commit early. "With the pandemic and colleges not knowing what their scholarship numbers are, I felt like I needed to make a decision," Paige said in an interview. "I felt like I could come in early and make an impact… It meant a lot to me to be the first player they took out of the class of 2022."
The second-team all-district selectee was recruited to play as a standup defensive end under North Texas' new defensive coordinator Phil Bennett. "I feel great about what North Texas has going on. The program is on the rise and I want to be a part of that," said Paige.
Paige is choosing to commit to North Texas over nine other schools that have offered him a scholarship to include Baylor, Cincinnati, Louisiana Tech, UCONN, and more.
Nolan Catholic (Vincent Paige) vs. All Saints Episcopal School TAPPS Div. I Semi-final (12/05/2020)
Shana Willeford - VYPE Media
Vincent Paige lines up on defense against All Saints Episcopal School (12/05/2020)
