Early Recruiting
I will preface this with the following statement: I do not have the information readily available, so this is more of an inquiry, although it can still be discussion kindling. I will also state that it's unlikely this type of information exists on the Internet, and that it is probably a stat worth checking out to someone out there.
With that said, I'll start by quoting gremlin from Texas Recruiting, "If you recruit early guys are less likely to have tons of offers."
Does anybody have information regarding Coach Rodriguez's recruiting at West Virginia & previous stops? Specifically, I'm looking for recruitment statistics. Things like when players usually committed to WVU, et al. - did Coach Rodriguez & co. hit the recruiting trail early and reel in their recruits quickly, or is this season a bit of an anomaly? What about other schools' recruiting classes, specifically, classes with a majority of early commits?
Is there evidence to the contrary?
I'm trying to figure out this second year bump that Rodriguez's programs traditionally enjoy. There's a number of variables in it, but it seems there may be a correlation between early commits and overall success.
Since for whatever reason I cannot post a new thread, I'm gonna mention what I want to say on yours, since you mentioned WVA... so my apologies for hijacking...
What seems baffling to me is that there seems to be several very well regarded recruits who favor WVA over M still, yet WVA was built by RichRod, and RichRod is now at M. One would presume that they could see that the WVA they like was due to RichRod, and favor M first.
Players may like the system, the school, or the coaches more than UM. It happens.
You can't post a new thread since you only have 7 "MGoPoints" (currently the only way to earn points is by posting). It requires 20+ MGoPoints to start a new thread. It's Brian's new form of board moderation.
As for why they'd favor WVU over U of M, there could be many reasons. They could've grown up fans of WVU or fans of rivals of U of M. Maybe their style is better suited not only to the style at WVU but also to the style of the coaches. RichRod is very "in your face" as it were and some people don't like that. Maybe friends or family went there or are going there. Maybe they like the state more (maybe they think there's a chance of getting a job in West Virginia if the football thing doesn't work out whereas in Michigan... eh). A lot of recruiting is about forming bonds with coaches and maybe those players happened to form better bonds with the WVU coaches then the U of M coaches.
Who knows, you're trying to divine logic behind a 17 year old kids decisions, commonly there is no logic there.
"Who knows, you're trying to divine logic behind a 17 year old kids decisions, commonly there is no logic there."
Sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll.
I would just like to mention that I think it was partially my suggestion that got the ball rolling on the whole automated-moderation thing. Of course, as an infrequent poster I now don't have enough points to start a new topic. Hooray unforseen consequences.
Maybe because of the negative publicity we seemed to always get with the embarrassing losses and all. We also have a lot of haters in the media.
Sometimes I forget to hit the dropdown for "Forums" and then choose MGOBOARD, if you neglect that step your thread will not post.
There are several reasons a guy might like WVU over M. As Panthero mentioned, the coaches may have something to do with it. I tend to think the guys that pick WVU over M want to be top dog with less competition, or they have academic concerns with the B10 standards (a level above the NCAA).
To sum up your post, the reasons why a recruit would choose West Virginia over Michigan would be:
A) They're afraid of competition.
B) They're too stupid to get into Michigan.
Quality insight there....
OK smartass, what's your philosophy then?
My opinions are based on having the opportunity to see these kids make these decisions based on what they believe is the best for themselves. Just because I suggest that kids may not want the academic challenge of a school with higher standards doesn’t make them stupid – why would you suggest that?
Can’t a kid decide to attend a university that creates less competition and more opportunities to stand out in a conference with a lower level of talent from top to bottom? Is that so uncommon?
Thanks for your constructive comments…you’re an idiot.
"Just because I suggest that kids may not want the academic challenge of a school with higher standards doesn’t make them stupid – why would you suggest that?"
Reading this post gave me AIDS.
Jay is not anything like an idiot. But he is extremely contrary and often semi-negative about UM, I've noticed. You've been around for almost a year; I'm surprised you haven't picked that up.
I put Jay in the Chitown camp (not WLA). There are just some people who like to take the contrary position to virtually everything.
This is not necessarily a bad thing, mind you. However, the previous exchange is illustrative. Shetler says "As Panthero mentioned, the coaches may have something to do with it. I tend to think..." and then goes on to list competition and academic standards as possible reasons.
Jay replies: "To sum up your post, the reasons why a recruit would choose West Virginia over Michigan would be:
A) They're afraid of competition.
B) They're too stupid to get into Michigan."
But this is inaccurate. Shetler was suggesting two additional reasons, not suggesting they were the only reasons.
So what's up, Jay? Why so angry? Why so negative? Why not just disagree with the reasons Shetler gave without inaccurately summarizing his post?
You intrigue me...
Jay is not anything like an idiot. But he is extremely contrary and often semi-negative about UM, I've noticed. You've been around for almost a year; I'm surprised you haven't picked that up.
I put Jay in the Chitown camp (not WLA). There are just some people who like to take the contrary position to virtually everything.
This is not necessarily a bad thing, mind you.
can we please stop pretending that Michigan Athletics stand on some academic moral high ground. they squeeze kids into the school that have iffy grades just like every other major D-1 program. don't kid yourself.
Blasphemer!
I do not disagree.
Good - please die quickly.
a variety of reasons. Knowledge of the system being the first that comes to mind. The first year involves a lot of thinking instead of reacting. If you have to think first you lose a split second and that can be the difference between winning and losing. QB play is huge as we saw last year. None of our QBs last year were suited to running this offense. Not having a true running threat at QB takes away one of the defense's worries. You compound that when neither is successful throwing the ball down the field. This leads to D's having to cover less field.
Next would be the recruitment of players more suited for the offense. More mobile QBs, sleeker lineman that can move, speed all over the field none of which Michigan was blessed with last year. Throw in the fact that we had basically nothing coming back on offense and you get the idea.
After the first year most of the attrition should be done except for maybe those who realize they probably aren't going to play. The loss of malcontents improves the locker room and team chemistry and leaves a team "all in for Michigan".
Generally you don't see such a drastic change in a successful program. RR probably could have won a couple more games last year by not implementing the spread but, that would have set this year's team back. Hopefully, we'll benefit this year from that bitter pill we had to swallow last year.
"RR probably could have won a couple more games last year by not implementing the spread but, that would have set this year's team back. Hopefully, we'll benefit this year from that bitter pill we had to swallow last year."
I don't think Sheridan or Threet is any better taking the snap under center, nor do I think our Oline would be any better either.
OK, maybe I don't want you to die quickly Shock – quick emotional reaction – my apologies.
I agree with you on your last point - Some of the struggles the team faced last year had to do with the deficit in talent. Sure, integrating the spread system a little at a time would have saved a couple wins last year (and maybe this year), but it may lose us games in the future. A bitter pill it was.
With nearly all freshman at skill positions, and a really bad oline, the system didn't really matter. With the number of open receivers and other things that made us go, ugh, if player x had just not done y wrong, it kind of shows that the system wasn't what hurt the team. All the system needs to do is put the players in position to succeed. I'd say it did that.
but it was RichRod who made WVA revelant in first place... no RichRod, then WVA not even on map for alot of these top recruits.
True, but, let's remember that Don Nehlen did an admirable job during tenure as head coach at West Virginia.
Please make your title a little more informative- thanks.
The original title was "Inquiry about Rich Rodriguez's recruitment at places like WVU; trend?"
I decided it was too long. I'll see if I can't re-word
Yeah, when I posted my comment I tried to think what an appropriate title would be and in my 10 second brainstorm I came up empty.