The truth about College Football Recruiting
Saturday, December 27th, 2008This is a hot topic many people want to know what its really like and about. I’ll touch on this briefly because now that I remember it was around this time that I went on my official college football visit and gave my verbal commitment.
College Football Recruiting Pressure
As you may be able to imagine there is an extreme amount of pressure. Yes you have heard the cliches “Its the biggest decision of your life” it is though just up to that point in your life. You will have bigger decisions to make in years to come…Nfl draft on your junior year or senior year? Bad ankle sprain, play or sit out? Quit a job in the “real world” or not? You know things like that. But the real pressure starts the moment when you actually speak to a college football recruiting coordinator or coach. Because thats when you realize that people are interested in you as a player. Ok so now thats out the way so you walk around your high school knowing there are going to be coaches coming in and out of your high school to sit and talk with you. You have other students hating on you and in disbelief you have some teachers supporting you and some teachers giving you the “don’t think your all that and don’t have to do any work BS”. Your coaches are proud they do the best to keep you humble and modest, and they should. Now you have to decide where do you want to play. Close to home? so your family can watch, D1a because your family can watch on TV, D1aa because the competition level is just right for you, D2 because no D1 school wanted to give you a full scholarship. Or do you plan on playing a year somewhere then transferring? All the above is the pressure I am getting at. And its tough to deal with because if you make the wrong choice you may be kicking yourself at the end of your first season.
The truth about Official Visits
This is a time where you truly are the man and treated like a King. Enjoy it but stay focused on the business that you need to take care of. And that is getting the best possible offer = a full scholarship. When I say stay focused I mean know what to expect and know how to handle it. Your about 17 or 18 not legal to drink and I’ll tell you straight up alcohol will be readily available. I remember a recruit who got smashed with some teammates and he went back to his hotel and told his parents and they called our head coach at 3 in the morning. He -our coach wasn’t happy but neither were we. But anyhow the point is make good choices I would love to advise you not to drink and party but you really need to experience and see how the comradery is between your future teammates. So if you do partake in this “stuff” be responsible because next year when your in college you can’t go get smashed and call your little mommy. Oh yea by the way this player actually commited and signed with us he played with us and graduated but I will respect his identity.
Free recruiting visit
Anyhow back to official visits. They are 100% free, every thing is paid for every meal every drink and if you address it your gas will be paid for if you drove, flight is paid for- for you and your parents (unless specified). It is ok to bring your parents with you on an official visit just don’t be all clingy and shi^. And don’t be a P***y because your parents are around. Here is the deal there has been numerous issues with official visits and players getting in trouble and schools being investigated etc. So some schools are going to be a little cautious about what they let you do and of course some aren’t. Since in the beginning of the blog I said I’d give you the truth. When I hosted recruits we would bring them to their hotel by curfew and check in with the coach. And he would say something along the lines as “if you get caught you didn’t see me you checked in and that was all.” So we would basically bring the recruits to the hotel for verification purposes then we would “sneak” them back to the parties Until about 5 am. Basically we were responsible for the recruits having a good time and doing what was neccessary to get a commitment. This is where I say stay focused because if you a player that has never had Dom Perignon and your host buys some for you this may make your eyes light up thinking that this is the treatment you are going to get for college football career! Be careful don’t get overwhelmed by these flashy gifts. *Please note Dom Perignon was only an example but use your imagination.
Verbal Commitment
A verbal commitment is just what it sounds like, a commitment that you give to the coaching staff telling them that you are going to sign with them. At my school they set it up where you got up by 6:30am for breakfast. The time was so early because of players who had to fly out. Anyhow after breakfast you are scheduled for a brief meeting with the coaching staff. They tell you their offer for you and their plans and ask you to give a verbal commitment. They tell you things like “you don’t have to give a verbal commitment but if someone else does for your same position we may not have a scholarship for you”. This is the catch because if you aren’t Terrel Pryor or some top recruit they may not actually have a scholarship for you.
Last but not least when you give a verbal your supposedly not allowed to visit another school.
In Closing
Don’t get overwhelmed on these official visits. Be responsible and be firm with the coaches because its all business behind the all you can eat meals and all you can “drink” at the parties. Make sure you keep your mind focused on your goal and prepare for your meeting with the coaches. Make the choice that is going to be the most beneficial to you and your family. Make yourself happy as well not just your family and don’t worry about dissappointing a coach or a football program just be true to yourself and you will be glad you did.
