Do you remember what it's like to be 13? Perhaps you were in the 7^th grade like I was. My favorite class was Social Studies. My biggest worries revolved around getting good grades, winning sports games, and trying to stay under the radar when it came to bullies and gossip. Compared to the complexity of adulthood, I’d say I had it pretty good in junior high. At age 13, David Sills from Wilmington, Deleware has become the youngest athlete to commit to playing college football with the USC Trojans in 2015. Yes, that’s right, at 13. He’s not even in high school! Is this the right move or should college recruiting back off young athletes?

When you read through the comments in reporting new stories, reader response is mixed. Those who oppose the commitment cite that although he’s a phenomenon (Sports Illustrated touted him to be the quarterback of the future when he was 11), he’s still a kid and he needs to mature more before becoming committed. Another argument is that this country focuses too much on sports and not enough on education.

With the 2010 Winter Olympics around the corner, I can’t help point out the young athletes who are idolized and compete in those games. It seems as if everyone was cheering on 15 year-old Tara Lipinski who brought home gold in 1998 from Nagano, Japan. Or how about Michael Phelps who qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics at 15? Truth be told, young athletes competing on a large scale with huge pressure is nothing new.

Physchologist Mona Ackerman explains that as long as the child is benefitting from the sport, it’s OK. Sports can be an outlet for a child who doesn’t excel academically or has trouble focusing. It can be a source of confidence and a way to develop social and team building skills. However, Ackerman cautions that parents should be honoring their child’s desire and not their own. Youth fitness researcher Avery Faigenbaum states that putting too much pressure can also lead to a child quitting because things are “not fun anymore.”

In Sills' case, I’m still a bit torn. He sounds excited about the sport and has attended numerous football camps. His talent appears to be unmatched as he’s being mentored by one of the top quarterback coaches, Steve Clarkson. His dad David Sills IV, gushes about the opportunity for his son to play for his number one college football team.

“…David's always wanted to go to USC. I mean, is there a better place to play football in the country? How can you pass up the best offer you're ever going to get?”

Here’s my caveat: He’s only 13! A part of me feels like he should enjoy just being a kid. I’m all about sports and competition, instilling confidence and good qualities in kids, but to do college recruiting at that young of an age? Should they wait until they at least enter high school? What if the athletes change their mind? That’s what teenagers do, after all. Attaching the pressure of a commitment may turn out to be a very mixed blessing.

I wish the best of luck to the young Sills and I think it was a smart strategic move on USC’s part. I just hope that both the university and his parents will always keep his best interest in mind, whether or not it's aligned with theirs.

Related/Source Articles

USC football: Lane Kiffin gets verbal commitment from 13-year-old-quarterback David Sills, LATimes

The future is now, SportsIllustrated.com

13-Year-Old QB Commits To USC, PopFi