‘Sour grapes’ arise as Jeremiah Tilmon requests to reconsider

Is Missouri on Jeremiah Tilmon’s mind? With recent news of Jeremiah Tilmon requesting a release from his letter of intent to play at Illinois, there have been opinions aplenty, about the young recruit’s ability to make a commitment.

Tilmon’s decision to request his release does not bother me. It may help that I’m a Missouri fan, and he might commit to Mizzou, and this news just gives me more material to write about, but I really don’t feel a great deal of concern over an 18 year-old’s ability to commit.

Since the shakeup in Illinois’ coaching staff, an 18 year-old, who was committed to the program and now wants to pause and reconsider his options, should be given that chance.

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Tilmon probably didn’t see Missouri’s other big-name recruits committing or visiting and say, peace-out; I’m going to Columbia.

Compared to Michael Porter, Jr. requesting his release from Washington, Tilmon is experiencing a similar set of circumstances. The biggest difference being that his father isn’t leaving Illinois to coach at Missouri.

There’s no reason for any fanbase to vilify a teenager who wants to step back and reconsider his offers. I want him to commit to Mizzou.

As a Missouri fan, and writer of all things Mizzou, I’m very happy that he has requested his release, but I will not degrade him if he decides that Illinois is the right fit after all, or chooses to play elsewhere.

The longer Illinois resists releasing Tilmon from his commitment, the more difficult of a  case it creates for itself, if Tilmon still has the Illini on the table as a possibility. I digress.

Some question Tilmon’s resolve.

Others just closed the line of communication.

And apparently, the 18 year-old Tilmon, who believes that his need to reconsider may be an exercise in responsibility, is a drama queen.

Whichever side of the fence you’re on regarding Tilmon, it’s all good. I understand how fans may feel hurt or deceived by Tilmon’s request, but he hasn’t made a decision, yet. He may also decide to return to Illinois.

We were all 18 at one time. I know that I didn’t make the greatest of decisions back then, but the least we can do is be supportive of Tilmon’s desire to reconsider his future. He might just fall into Missouri’s lap.

In the meantime, bashing Tilmon’s request will continue to be an exercise in futility.