[Truth]

OJ was an odd exception. That guy was contributing to the VARSITY team as a 6th/7th/8th grader... I'm pretty sure he played every level as a 6th grader (I know he played and dominated against my 8th grade team that year). So many kids transfer as elementary and junior high kids... sports or no sports. When transferring immediately impacts a varsity team, its going to raise eyebrows. Just out of pure curiosity, bc I'm too lazy to actually look this up: At what age/athletic level does the KHSAA have responsibility to clear someone as eligible?

The KHSAA supposedly can regulate blatant recruiting in grades below the ninth. However, the reality is that they do not do so. So, the reality is that KHSAA lays off until a student enters the ninth grade.

And, you are certainly correct that Mayo was an "odd exception"- particularly in regard to ability. However, he only played middle school ball as a sixth grader. His first varsity play was as a 7th grader. In fact, his father had to be convinced to let him play because he felt Ovinton couldn't compete and may get hurt. A couple of months later, ESPN, among many others, was following him around with cameras and opposing players were asking him for his autograph.