This is your random reminder that the stars attached to a kid's name out of high school doesn't inherently mean success awaits.
Byron Cowart, a defensive tackle and former No. 1 recruit out of the 2015 class, requested and was granted his release from the Auburn Tigers.
“I’m happy with my decision and I know that this ain’t it for me,” Cowart said in an interview with AL.com. “My main reason was my mother’s health is more important. Me being an only child, got to get back to home to her. Plus I already wasn’t playing enough and contributing to the team.
“I’ll see what options I have and what the NCAA allows me to do. This isn’t over for me and this definitely is not the end of my college career. … I can guarantee you football is not over for me. I still love the game, I love everything about football.”
This isn't just about a kid being mad over a lack of playing time. Byron Cowart discussed a variety of important, non-football reasons to head back home. As the quotes mentioned, his mother's illness seems to be his top priority right now.
Article Continues BelowPer his release guidelines, Cowart cannot transfer to another SEC school nor can he play for a program on Auburn’s 2018 schedule.
Over three years with the program and 26 total games with the Tigers, Cowart posted 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks. That's not exactly living up to the hype.
“If I’m going to be far from home, it has to be meaningful,” he said. “I really need a shot to make it to league. I’m not asking for nobody to give me a starting job or anything like that but I just felt like I was more than the 10 snaps or 20 snaps I was getting a game.”
Here is to hoping it works out for the kid with someone other than Auburn.