View from the Stands-Jan. 14, 2009

So, now that I get ESPN alerts at a rate of almost one every twenty minutes, my thoughts and opinions on things in the sporting world are starting to become more frequent.

This feeling is now the brainchild behind what will hopefully start a daily or every other day post about two-four random stories in the world of sports. So sit back and enjoy this inaugural installment.

Bama's recruitment of Reuben Randle may have taken a hit. This stems from LSU Jr. WR Brandon LaFell declaring for the NFL Draft. With LaFell gone, LSU becomes a more attractive school for a player looking to be the go-to receiver for an SEC team. Sure, the idea of playing opposite Julio Jones is a great draw in itself, but if you want to make your own name, why would you turn down an opportunity to be the guy that everyone is watching.

Speaking of recruiting, will teams be able to rest easy about early commits sometime soon? As the college football conference commissioners convene this week, the idea of a three year trial of an early signing period will be voted upon. The idea would be for players who commit early on in the process to be able to sign with their school in the middle of December, relieving some of the stress of these coaches to continue to harp on certain guys for another grueling two months. According to the American Football Coaches Association, 1,805 recruits had given verbal commitments to 120 schools. That's roughly fifteen commits per school, all of which could be signed by now if the new rule is voted into effect for next season.

This is Jodi Meeks' world, we all just live in it. After watching an incredible display in Knoxville last night, it definitely feels that way. In a 90-72 SEC road victory for the Kentucky Wildcats over the Tennessee Vols, Meeks put on a clinic in every facet of the game. Just take a look at his final stat line from last night.

• 54 points, 15-22 FGs, 14-14 FTs, 10-15 3 pt. FGs, 4 asst, 1 TO

In other words, he ruled the court for the night. Among the records broken by Meeks were...

• Three-points field goals in a game, school record-10 (formerly held by Dan Issel)
• Most points in a game, school record-54 (formerly held by Dan Issel)
• Most points by an opponent in Thompson-Boling Arena (previously held by Chris Jackson from LSU[49 points])
• Most points scored by a single player from a BCS conference in a regulation game in the past decade.

To say that Meeks is now a player of the year candidate would be an understatement of epic proportions. He entered the game fourth in the country at points per game, already putting 46 points on Appalachian State earlier in the season. If Kentucky can continue their run, he should be the Player of the Year winner, and there be no doubt about it.