Note: This was originally written on October 28th, 2008

College Football has such an exciting element that is unmatched by the pros.

A few months ago, many of us ISU fans learned of a potential JUCO recruit:

Darius "Money" Reynolds.

He visited the ISU campus and his brother, TheCity, posted all about his brother, their family, and the things a player and family considers when deciding where to come to school.

This insight gave us fans a perspective that many have not seen. We also developed a connection with his brother and were optimistic about Money coming to ISU.

As the weeks went by, we'd hear from TheCity occasionally, and many of us ISU fans felt like we were right there with them as they were making decisions.

Then on October 28th, in the late morning/early afternoon, TheCity appeared again on the message boards. He told us Money made his decision and he will post an announcement online at 7pm.

Naturally, tons of ISU fans had been coming out of the woodwork throughout the day to check for updates.

For me, I was hooked. I was checking updates every half hour throughout the day, Googling Darius to see if I could find clues online, but to no avail. I couldn't stop thinking about it all day!

As we learned the schools Money was considering, many of us fans including myself, were a little pessimistic about our chances. Being an ISU fan has done this to us. It seems like when we get excited about something, another thing happens to bring us down.

In a football season that has been disappointing to say the least, us Cyclone fans are DYING for some positive news.

THEN: TheCity appears again! It's 7pm and we're all excited. Ready to hear the news!

BUT: Money is actually deciding 7pm California time, not Central Time!

OUCH!!!

Another two hours of waiting; after clicking refresh about 100 times between 6:55pm and 7:01pm

As we wait, some of us grow a little more pessimistic, but we're still hoping. More Cyclone fans are appearing and discussing.

I'm going online to scout, rivals, espn, etc, trying to see if I can find ANYTHING about Money. Others were checking facebook, myspace, etc.

NOTHING. NOT A SINGLE CLUE!

Finally, 7pm California time happens. "NOW WE'RE READY. NOW  WE'll KNOW FOR SURE 100%, where Money is going to go" was the common thought for us Cyclone fans.

THEN, TheCity appears again! "IT....IS....TIME!!!", we're thinking.

BUT THEN: TheCity posts. He said that Money made his decision but that he can't post it online. He then mentioned coming to ISU for the Missouri game.

People are starting to look at clues and wonder, but perhaps it's not a clue at all. Perhaps Money hasn't decided and they're going to do another visit to be sure.

Either way, some have their hopes even higher, while others are keeping them low.

Personally, I want to be excited, but there's too many variables and it's a tough decision. Of course I want him to come, and it seems he'd be a great fit, but it's really on the coaching staff and the players.

That said, it's wait and see.

You just can't get this kind of drama from the pros. NFL fans don't have a "true" connection to players, and the teams pick players based on money or where the fall on draft day. 

In college, you can get anybody if you can convince them to come. There is also the opportunity to build relationships and get to know the people who come to our program.

In the NFL, many of us don't look at the players are human beings per se. We don't really understand them. When we look at T.O complaining that $8 mil isn't enough money, we just don't get it. It seems crazy

In college, decisions are made with families for  reasons that are very human. It has to do with culture, values, beliefs, and other things the fans cannot control, but understand.

Theses are the types of decisions us fans make in our lives regarding relocating, getting a job, etc. It isn't material things, but core beliefs that cause us to make big decisions. I think this is the case with many recruits, and as a fan, I can relate to that.

This was one of the most fun days of the college football season for me,and it's something you can't get in professional sports.

Ever wonder why I LOVE College Football and only LIKE NFL? It's because of day's like today! I'm loving the drama, as it leads to pure excitment.

In the NFL, "drama" is getting caught with steriods, beating up your wife/girlfriend, love-boat scandal, doing drugs, dog-fighting, stabbing people, "making it rain" at a stripclub, doing jail time, etc. Negative things the average person thinks is just plain stupid.

I can't relate to bringing $65k into a strip club, making it rain, and punching people.

Can you?

In college, there can be that negativity, but thankfully with the current ISU players, we don't have that type of drama. We have a healthier drama, that involves the Xs and Os of the game, and potential Cyclones.

It's drama like fans wanting to know who's coming and getting excited about the future!

It's about days like October 28th, 2008.

To all the Cyclone Fans out there: Where were YOU on October 28th, 9pm CDT?

Me? I was getting caught up in ALL the drama. I was hitting refresh on the message boards like a mad man!

I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!