2016 Vols commit Darel Middleton disappears?

[k-town_king]

So to sum up the thread. Kid wants to transfer from crappy @$* Powell to a better team and school. Powell people come and bash him. Think because they have a son on the crappy Powell team they know all about the kid. I got it.


Hope he lands at Fulton than still comes to UT.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Gotta help yourself before anyone can help you. I was able to beat a normally unbeatable disorder because of hard work. I truly think psychology experts are truly the biggest idiots in our nation.

First, I got to agree about the psychologists. Too much of what they do is mumbo jumbo and pompous putty mouth stuff.

Now, the other stuff. just because you beat a disorder doesn't mean that one size fits all. I've done some supposedly undoable things myself. But there are always factors that came together to make it possible. Sometimes just a word, positive or negative that motivated, sometimes seeing someone else doing something, sometimes someone who stuck with me when every else had written me off, sometimes something in a book I read that took on a meaning and motivation it probably wouldn't have otherwise, and so on. Point is, your experience, victories, failures and what not is unique to you. That one little thing that was really responsible for getting you over the hump may never be duplicated in another person's life. There is no one size fits all. In today's world of broken homes, irresponsible fathers (and mothers) with so much support given to females and comparatively little to males, it no wonder so many end up dysfunctional. I call it the "daddy's little girl syndrome." Our society is more sensitive to what is considered damsels in distress than boys who are labelled as not helping themselves. You got shelters, safe houses and many other resources for females but you'd be hard pressed to find the same kind and level of support structure for males on all age levels. So once again, one size doesn't fit all. Congrats on your victory. But if you honestly looked back, you will see that you didn't do it all alone. Somewhere, someone, somewhen, said or did something that contributed to your path to victory. Not all of us get that "brief moment in time."

 

[Burger]

First, I got to agree about the psychologists. Too much of what they do is mumbo jumbo and pompous putty mouth stuff.

Now, the other stuff. just because you beat a disorder doesn't mean that one size fits all. I've done some supposedly undoable things myself. But there are always factors that came together to make it possible. Sometimes just a word, positive or negative that motivated, sometimes seeing someone else doing something, sometimes someone who stuck with me when every else had written me off, sometimes something in a book I read that took on a meaning and motivation it probably wouldn't have otherwise, and so on. Point is, your experience, victories, failures and what not is unique to you. That one little thing that was really responsible for getting you over the hump may never be duplicated in another person's life. There is no one size fits all. In today's world of broken homes, irresponsible fathers (and mothers) with so much support given to females and comparatively little to males, it no wonder so many end up dysfunctional. I call it the "daddy's little girl syndrome." Our society is more sensitive to what is considered damsels in distress than boys who are labelled as not helping themselves. You got shelters, safe houses and many other resources for females but you'd be hard pressed to find the same kind and level of support structure for males on all age levels. So once again, one size doesn't fit all. Congrats on your victory. But if you honestly looked back, you will see that you didn't do it all alone. Somewhere, someone, somewhen, said or did something that contributed to your path to victory. Not all of us get that "brief moment in time."

Thank you, you'd be really surprised what can happen when you just try. I didn't have much for support, but having some kind of family helps. Men always will have to take care of themselves whether they need help or not, its the Darwin way in this world. I've been around mental illness my whole life, and Darel sounds like another thug. We baby people too much to the point of where people can't survive. I really do believe in mind over matter.

 

[Volru]

It sounds to me like the kid is more mature than the posters here. He is mature enough to know he doesn't owe any of you an explanation. When it comes down to it, he really doesn't owe some HS coach an explanation. This is all best left between him and his parents... Period.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Thank you, you'd be really surprised what can happen when you just try. I didn't have much for support, but having some kind of family helps. Men always will have to take care of themselves whether they need help or not, its the Darwin way in this world. I've been around mental illness my whole life, and Darel sounds like another thug. We baby people too much to the point of where people can't survive. I really do believe in mind over matter.

You can't try if you don't know how. That comes from someone in your life by word or example shoing you how. I'm saying too many kids these days don't have that.

Maybe this explains it better. As a kid, I got into trouble a bit too much. But in my time, if I was down the street and did or said something I had no business doing or saying. Woe unto me if an adult saw or overheard. They'd call my mom, dad, or (gulp0 one of my aunts, depending on who was keeping me that day. In the meantime I was instructed to sat on the caller's porch or lawn. And i darn well better do it too. cause if I talked back or disobeyed, that just added to the coming punishment. Now, if the answering party said to send me home. I was in for a berating, confined to my room and very often doing not so fun chores. chores not only for my household but neighbors too. But if the callee said make sure I stayed there while he or she came to get me, well. . . . I knew I was going to be escorted home. there to have my rear end kissed multiple time but a belt or switch. You learned pretty quick how to be pretty good behaving child back then. But see here, the whole block you lived on was part of watching and raising you. I wasn't always about a whipping. At times dad, mom, auntie, or even a neighbor would just give kids a, "Come here. Sit down.' And you get talked to about what you'd done and what it means not just here and now but in the future. you might be shown something to further illustrate this lesson. you got up with a good idea why you shouldn't repeat it and often ended up apologizing to the offending party, even offering some form of recompence.

Today, you can't touch a kid or raise your voice cause it's child abuse. Some all powerful social worker can have you jailed, fined, take your kids and so on. Beyond that, kids just don't have the type of modeling they need to do what you did. By your words you did have family support and that little thing made all the difference whether you realize it or not. Very little we achieve is done entirely on our own. As I said, someone, somewhere, somewhen did or said something that inspired, encouraged, set you on your path. It may be long forgotten but it was there. I'm pretty good with computers. I can use all kind sof software. I can even take one apart, find what's wrong or simple upgrade it. Never took a class. I'm self-taught. Learned without anyone's help? Yes, LIAR!!!!! I learned some by watching others try it. i learned by reading books. I learned by visiting websites and a bit from online videos. had the books not been written, had I not seen others try things, had the website not existed, had the videos never been made, I wouldn't know what I know now. A great deal I learn is by trial and error but even that is based on the someone, somewhere, somewhen reality of my experience. Kids today need more help (boys and men included) because society has forced it to be that way. By removing the support structures of family and neighborhood child-raising that once existed. Generally moving away from what worked so well in the past and adopting the present BS stuff we have today.

 

[jps2194]

So to sum up the thread. Kid wants to transfer from crappy @$* Powell to a better team and school. Powell people come and bash him. Think because they have a son on the crappy Powell team they know all about the kid. I got it.


Hope he lands at Fulton than still comes to UT.

Nope - not even close. I don't profess to know him other than what I've observed for two years at every game and multiple practices and the few conversations I've had with him. Every person that has seen him play has provided the same exact facts that have been observed. In my posts I stated multiple times I hoped he would turn it around and I gave him the benefit of doubt multiple times.

I'm sorry that he is the way he is, but I have never bashed him other than calling him lazy and a poor attitude which is well documented. I'm sorry if that bothers you and you want to ignore facts.

The only reason he is transferring is because he got kicked off the team MULTIPLE times last year. The Powell coaches gave him multiple chances but also held him accountable and he couldn't keep it together.

The fact is he has an attitude problem. Whether that's a mental illness as some on here are suggesting or not - who knows. But one fact remains, he has a lot of maturing to do before I would feel comfortable with UT giving him a scholarship. Those are the facts - take it or leave it.

 

[TennesseeThumper]

Hope he lands at Fulton than still comes to UT.

Are you a Fulton supporter? If so, you don't share the same hopes that have been relayed to me by several (yes multiple) part of the football program at Fulton.

Team chemistry has been a huge part of Fulton's success. It's not worth taking a risk with any student/athlete who has a history of discipline issues.

This thread has been interesting. There are several of us here who are very close to the situation and have seen the repeated issues of discipline and attitude. We've all said in unison that we wish the kid could get it together. Who wouldn't want a player with the kind of God given physical attributes that he possesses on their team? But there are a lot more factors at work here. Powell's coaches, teachers, and administrators have gone the second, third, and fourth miles with him.

And then there are the amateur shrinks on this forum who have never even seen him play, but seem to be able to diagnose him with medical problems and are completely discounting what those us us who have seen the issues over and over and over again have observed.

Bottom line - some kids just never get it. Hopefully Darel can buck that trend and figure it out sooner rather than later. It's going to be somewhere other than Powell, it looks like at this point, and hopefully new surroundings will be the elixir that he needs.

 

[Burger]

You can't try if you don't know how. That comes from someone in your life by word or example shoing you how. I'm saying too many kids these days don't have that.

Maybe this explains it better. As a kid, I got into trouble a bit too much. But in my time, if I was down the street and did or said something I had no business doing or saying. Woe unto me if an adult saw or overheard. They'd call my mom, dad, or (gulp0 one of my aunts, depending on who was keeping me that day. In the meantime I was instructed to sat on the caller's porch or lawn. And i darn well better do it too. cause if I talked back or disobeyed, that just added to the coming punishment. Now, if the answering party said to send me home. I was in for a berating, confined to my room and very often doing not so fun chores. chores not only for my household but neighbors too. But if the callee said make sure I stayed there while he or she came to get me, well. . . . I knew I was going to be escorted home. there to have my rear end kissed multiple time but a belt or switch. You learned pretty quick how to be pretty good behaving child back then. But see here, the whole block you lived on was part of watching and raising you. I wasn't always about a whipping. At times dad, mom, auntie, or even a neighbor would just give kids a, "Come here. Sit down.' And you get talked to about what you'd done and what it means not just here and now but in the future. you might be shown something to further illustrate this lesson. you got up with a good idea why you shouldn't repeat it and often ended up apologizing to the offending party, even offering some form of recompence.

Today, you can't touch a kid or raise your voice cause it's child abuse. Some all powerful social worker can have you jailed, fined, take your kids and so on. Beyond that, kids just don't have the type of modeling they need to do what you did. By your words you did have family support and that little thing made all the difference whether you realize it or not. Very little we achieve is done entirely on our own. As I said, someone, somewhere, somewhen did or said something that inspired, encouraged, set you on your path. It may be long forgotten but it was there. I'm pretty good with computers. I can use all kind sof software. I can even take one apart, find what's wrong or simple upgrade it. Never took a class. I'm self-taught. Learned without anyone's help? Yes, LIAR!!!!! I learned some by watching others try it. i learned by reading books. I learned by visiting websites and a bit from online videos. had the books not been written, had I not seen others try things, had the website not existed, had the videos never been made, I wouldn't know what I know now. A great deal I learn is by trial and error but even that is based on the someone, somewhere, somewhen reality of my experience. Kids today need more help (boys and men included) because society has forced it to be that way. By removing the support structures of family and neighborhood child-raising that once existed. Generally moving away from what worked so well in the past and adopting the present BS stuff we have today.

I completely agree with you. You can't do anything about a disruptive child without having someone look down on you. Society is in a bad place, but we can still be our best.

 

[onevol74]

So to sum up the thread. Kid wants to transfer from crappy @$* Powell to a better team and school. Powell people come and bash him. Think because they have a son on the crappy Powell team they know all about the kid. I got it.


Hope he lands at Fulton than still comes to UT.

You have not one clue about this situation. To make these assumptions is totally ignorant.

 

[fall2hb86]

Well I have no idea what is going on with him, who's fault, reasoning or nothing, but watched highlights of him, and the kid is a beast...Get on your high horse if u want, and say, UT should not bother with him..Best believe this kid will get his chance somewhere, unless he never graduates or commits a murder..I will say, I don't want to have to play against him for 4 yrs of college..lol

 

[Weezer]

Tell a kid he's lazy, that he has an attitude problem, that he's a troublemaker and all around bad apple, enough times and he'll believe it. He'll believe that's who he is and all he can be and he'll never look for a way to change, because that's just the "way it is". Not every kid has the mental strength to overcome the labels slapped upon them. Not every kid knows he/she can be more. Hell, not every adult has the mental strength to overcome the labels society slaps upon them. The problem with society is too many rely upon these cookie-cutter molds as to how a person should be. We're all different. What inspires me may have no effect on you. What tears me down may build you up. There is no rhyme or reason to it.

But fawk it. I'm done. Nothing constructive has come from this thread. You have one side with their fingers in their ears asserting they know "facts", ignoring that it's their interpretation of said facts that's being questioned. Then you have another side that's simply saying other possibilities are in play. You can't have conversations with people who fail to accept they might be wrong. And that's my whole point. I'm not arguing I'm right, only that I might be. I have no problem saying I could be wrong. I'm wrong often, but I learn from it and grow. Ultimately, I just don't want to see people give up on this kid, or any kid with so called "attitude" problems. It's too easy to write these kids off instead of trying to find them help. We toss them aside and then ***** when they become a "burden" on society. What's the point? Now is the time in this young man's life for people to fight to enact change.

 

[jps2194]

Tell a kid he's lazy, that he has an attitude problem, that he's a troublemaker and all around bad apple, enough times and he'll believe it. He'll believe that's who he is and all he can be and he'll never look for a way to change, because that's just the "way it is". Not every kid has the mental strength to overcome the labels slapped upon them. Not every kid knows he/she can be more. Hell, not every adult has the mental strength to overcome the labels society slaps upon them. The problem with society is too many rely upon these cookie-cutter molds as to how a person should be. We're all different. What inspires me may have no effect on you. What tears me down may build you up. There is no rhyme or reason to it.

But fawk it. I'm done. Nothing constructive has come from this thread. You have one side with their fingers in their ears asserting they know "facts", ignoring that it's their interpretation of said facts that's being questioned. Then you have another side that's simply saying other possibilities are in play. You can't have conversations with people who fail to accept they might be wrong. And that's my whole point. I'm not arguing I'm right, only that I might be. I have no problem saying I could be wrong. I'm wrong often, but I learn from it and grow. Ultimately, I just don't want to see people give up on this kid, or any kid with so called "attitude" problems. It's too easy to write these kids off instead of trying to find them help. We toss them aside and then ***** when they become a "burden" on society. What's the point? Now is the time in this young man's life for people to fight to enact change.

I said you have a slim chance of being right - so you not speaking truth I acknowledged there may be an issue I just personally don't think that is the problem. That is my opinion and you have yours. That is not me putting my finger in my ears - if it is, then you definitely have your whole fist shoved in your ears.

Irregardless of the reasons, he's troubled right now and has a long way to go before he's ready to play D-1 ball. That is really the only point - we're not doctors or psychologists so I don't pretend to know what is going on is head to cause him to act this way. There are countless kids on most teams that act the way he does. His is just magnified by 1000 because he is a D1 prospect.

Even if he has bipolar disorder, what does that change regarding this situation? Yes, he would need professional help, but how does that change anything related to the fact he's a risky prospect for UT. Should UT ignore the issues and offer him a scholarship if nothing changes the next two years?

 

[governmentmule]

so the kid doesn't want to play for Powell and is going to another school ? because he lost the coach he really liked ? is that all ? a lot of high school players do this,He probably should of kept quiet about why,but i see no big deal here and hopefully he continues to improve and be a Vol

 

[jps2194]

so the kid doesn't want to play for Powell and is going to another school ? because he lost the coach he really liked ? is that all ? a lot of high school players do this,He probably should of kept quiet about why,but i see no big deal here and hopefully he continues to improve and be a Vol

No, that is not why he is leaving. He was kicked off the football team multiple times last year and had a horrible relationship with the coach. He is unable to play football for Powell next year because he was kicked off. We all knew he was leaving, but what was surprising was he ditched the basketball team mid-season. He had been a model student and teammate lately so this was a bit surprising. It makes sense for him to transfer at this time, but would have expected him to share that with his basketball coach. Of course, him actually transferring at this time is all conjecture at this point because nobody has heard from him (officially).

 

[KnoxvilleVol]

If he had a bipolar disorder, it would be well known around his school. It would be known to us also.

You would only know if he or his mother or someone else privy to his medical information wanted you to know.

So I wouldn't be so sure. Im pretty sure if you knew definitively any other way then a law was probably broken at some point.

 

[Remy]

From the outside looking in, this is the classic poisoning the well over a high school kid, albeit a potentially very good one. There are some claiming to be close to the kid while he was at Powell, but they're just avatars on a board, hard to know how much they write about this young man is accurate or clouded. Being from middle TN originally and staying contact with high school football there for over 3 decades, I always thought Powell to be classy program. Let me give you an indicator of what an actual classy program would do about an unhappy high school kid transferring from one place to another as long as it didn't violate TSSAA rules. If there is a rules violation they'd turn it in for the TSSAA to handle but either way they'd shake the kids hand and wish him well and remain silent. They would not take to a public forum and trash him. If he's a goofball it will play out for itself, but they should not kick a high school kid around, really low class ya'll IMO.

 

[Burger]

You would only know if he or his mother or someone else privy to his medical information wanted you to know.

So I wouldn't be so sure. Im pretty sure if you knew definitively any other way then a law was probably broken at some point.

Kids blab about things like this to their buddies. I knew who had a mental disorder when I went to high school. Some of them you can tell by looking or interacting. School administrators often get information by extorting friends of people.

 

[jps2194]

School administrators often get information by extorting friends of people.

What do you mean by this statement? I don't believe it is the administrators business to seek out information on whether or not a child has a mental illness. Especially by "extortion". Maybe I'm missing your point completely and if so I apologize.

 

[jps2194]

If he's a goofball it will play out for itself, but they should not kick a high school kid around, really low class ya'll IMO.

I'm being serious when I ask what you believe was low class? The point of this board is to collaborate, debate and share information. The only item I was trying to accomplish was to share what has been observed the last two years by someone close to the program. Not once did I attack him or call him names. The only derogatory comment I made was he is lazy and has a bad attitude. Maybe we could debate the lazy comment, but if you had seen him for two years it wouldn't be a debate. Regarding the bad attitude, the first comment in this subject of this thread sums it up.

I've said it many times that I hope he turns his life around and is successful. So please provide me some examples why you think I'm low class as I really don't think it was.

Every time someone posts what they've observed, we get blasted as being biased, mean spirited, low class, etc. I honestly don't get it as all we have done is post some facts so those that haven't seen Darel have a little more insight into what is going on. I'm truly perplexed.

Here is the post I put in the recruiting thread several weeks ago before the latest incident. This pretty much sums up the majority of parents from Powell.

Let's see if I can sum this up for everyone. I have a son on the team and am very close to this situation.

Nobody wanted Darrel to be a success more than the Powell fans. DUH. We wanted him to contribute to the team for obvious reasons. One, it makes us a better team. Two, other kids get noticed because of the attention Darrel gets. Three, it prepares him for becoming a SEC player.

What we have witnessed over the last two years is a pattern of behavior of me first and incredible laziness. There have been numerous examples stated in this thread of his lack of effort. With his size and ability, he should absolutely dominate. Every DB he goes against is at least 6 inches shorter than him. But he is just plain lazy. Having said that, as I mentioned in previous posts, I had seen a real turn around in his effort the last few games and was very pleased with his effort. It was a big change from last year and the first several games this year.

In addition to lack of effort, his off the field problems have been worse. First was the blow up with the coaching staff which I have first hand knowledge of. He came within a whisker of being kicked off the team, but he was given another opportunity and had steps he had to complete to return to the team which he did. Please don't assume the coaches had a blame in this - this was all on Darrel and the coaches held his feet to the fire and he didn't like it. I can't imagine why some of the posters on here expect a high school coach to bow down to Darrel and give him preferential treatment. All that does is create resentment from the teammates and will destroy a program.

The story on the latest episode is Darrel quit because he missed a practice and was going to have to sit for a portion of tomorrow's game. I have yet been able to find out more, but it seems unlikely he would quit with a little more than a week left in the season not counting playoffs - if we make them. If he did quit, then that says a lot don't you think.

Darrel has a lot of maturing to do if he wants to play at the next level. There is no question he has the talent, but like a lot of great athletes, he has to fix it between the ears. I sincerely hope he turns it around and I wish him the best of luck. Like so many kids today, I don't think he has anyone at home to mentor him and be a good example. I don't believe he is accustomed to being held accountable and he's bucking it right now. He needs to realize that it only gets worse (being held accountable) as you move up the ladder. Butch would wave bye-bye in a heart beat and he needs to realize he is not above the program - especially at the next level.

Good luck Darrel, we hope and pray you turn it around and become a VOL and do great things. Sorry it didn't work out at Powell.

 

[Burger]

What do you mean by this statement? I don't believe it is the administrators business to seek out information on whether or not a child has a mental illness. Especially by "extortion". Maybe I'm missing your point completely and if so I apologize.

For example, the principle needs to find out if someone has been doing something bad. Often, the administrator would pull the friends out of class and start asking. Extortion is a bad word for it, but it feels like an interrogation.

People never want to see the bad in things they like or have. I look at everything as objectively as I can, and it's not good for Darel.

 

[jps2194]

For example, the principle needs to find out if someone has been doing something bad. Often, the administrator would pull the friends out of class and start asking. Extortion is a bad word for it, but it feels like an interrogation.

People never want to see the bad in things they like or have. I look at everything as objectively as I can, and it's not good for Darel.

Okay, that makes sense. The extort comment is what threw me

 

[Remy]

jps2194, what you have offered up about this young man is your opinion. Others have as well. My personal point of view is you, me, nor anyone else should offer up a negative opinion in a public forum about the personal life or character of a juvenile if it's not criminal. It's just way low class to keep trashing this kid or any other and somehow assuaging your conscience with the "I hope he turns it around" after shoving a tree trunk up his donkey. If you and a few others supposedly are actually connected to the Powell program, it's gone way downhill in the class department, I'd expect this sort of thing from somewhere like a Jasper, Alabama but never from somebody in Tennessee high school athletics. Do yourself and Powell a favor, quit obssessing and just STFU about this kid ... or any kid. sheesh!

 

[k-town_king]

Volnation. Where personal opinions are FACTS.

 

[jps2194]

jps2194, what you have offered up about this young man is your opinion. Others have as well. My personal point of view is you, me, nor anyone else should offer up a negative opinion in a public forum about the personal life or character of a juvenile if it's not criminal. It's just way low class to keep trashing this kid or any other and somehow assuaging your conscience with the "I hope he turns it around" after shoving a tree trunk up his donkey. If you and a few others supposedly are actually connected to the Powell program, it's gone way downhill in the class department, I'd expect this sort of thing from somewhere like a Jasper, Alabama but never from somebody in Tennessee high school athletics. Do yourself and Powell a favor, quit obssessing and just STFU about this kid ... or any kid. sheesh!

I can appreciate your opinion - but talk about low class. Just read your comments above. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Besides, I don't think you need to give advice on what is low class based on comments like these:

eff Bammer .. eff the Tide ... eff AJ McCarron and any other Bammer player past present or future ... you get me?

 

[jps2194]

Volnation. Where personal opinions are FACTS.

Fact:
1. He was suspended from the team multiple times last year.
2. He threatened to fight the head coach.
3. Quit the basketball team and didn't bother to tell the head coach.