National Signing Day really has spun out of control recently. Originally intended as a day to formalize a player’s decision to be a student-athlete, the rise of college sports has morphed Signing Day into an event unto itself, and recruits are using it to soak up as much attention as they can get.

Maybe I’m just a fuddy duddy, but I can’t help but think the future NFL stars aren’t the ones jumping out of airplanes or shooting paintballs, but instead are the players who are happy but understated, focused and ready to work.

At least that was certainly the case in 2011, when four-star recruit Odell Beckham Jr. committed to LSU. There wasn’t any out-of-control fanfare. Beckham just talked about how excited he was, about how he took his time to make the right decision, and that he’s ready to play wide receiver.

“It’s definitely a whole new level,” Beckham said of playing for LSU. “But I’m going to work hard and make sure I’m ready.”

And we all know how that turned out.

Bonus: Visit USA TODAY High School Sports for extensive, live coverage of National Signing Day.