Recruiting
I was just browsing scout.com again and I've been wondering about something.
I've followed recruiting since last year and I've felt like we have this weird trend. We recruit a ton of players, then have this long.. waiting period of sorts. Why? Do most teams do this? Because it seems like kids are still committing but it's been a long while for us.
I may be just foolish, but is this normal? It seems like we do this and then at the end of the recruiting period we grab a few, like Roy Roundtree/Odoms last year.
Comments?
November 10th, 2008 at 9:42 PM ^
I don't think there's one answer for this. There's a lot that goes into it.
The better teams get first pick at who they want, and typically have kids that already know they're going to commit. Let's say the number 1 safety in the country commits to Michigan, chances are the # 2 and 3 players of that same position usually aren't going to choose that school as well, so it might throw a wrench in their recruiting.
Since the better schools get the better players, the schools that aren't as good have to go through the rest of the recruits and try to get them signed. The process in general takes awhile.
Also, you'll usually notice that teams tend to get the players they need right away, then towards the end get more players that they want. The teams have a chance to see the foundation of their class, analyze it, then figure out who they want to add. In the beginning there are a lot more kids available as well, so naturally you will see a slowing period.
Another factor is the type of kids there are. Some are cerebral, and like to take their time, and some just know where they want to go, and decide.
These are just some reasons, I'm sure there's a ton more. Like I said, I don't think there's just one answer here. If anyone else has anything to add, I'm sure it would make sense too.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:50 PM ^
Maybe a lot of kids commit either before the college/high school season(like what Tom was talking about if they know where they want to go all along) or after the seasons so they can take their official visits during the College Season and/or concentrate on their own high school seasons/teams. Don't know if that makes sense, but could explain the recent lull.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:53 PM ^
plus a lot of them are in the playoffs right now.
There's really too many factors that go into this.
November 11th, 2008 at 1:14 AM ^
e're 3-7, that's not that big a factor per honestly but it's a factor nonetheless.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:58 AM ^
Does anyone know who will be visiting this Saturday, the last home game?
November 11th, 2008 at 9:22 AM ^
Its just going to be Isaiah Bell and Fitzgerald Toussaint making their officials. The non-commits (Taylor Lewan Donovan Tate, Angeldo Hadley and Mywan Jackson) are all involved in playoffs and will have to reschedule.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:46 AM ^
That's what I heard too. The only one is Taylor Lewan. His dad hasn't confirmed with me that they weren't coming yet. They were trying to see if they could catch a red eye out there, and take the visit then leave. I'll let you know when he tells me.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:51 AM ^
If the kid takes a red eye flight to be able to attend the game, then flies back to catch his playoff game the same night, I'd imagine Jake Long II is going to be wearing the maize and blue. I just hope the airlines don't screw up and he ends up missing his game and/or losing the game because of the visit, due to jet lag or whatever.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:26 PM ^
Is his game on Friday?
November 11th, 2008 at 12:38 PM ^
Saturday.
November 11th, 2008 at 2:21 PM ^
Well that wouldn't work. You can't squeeze in an official visit in that amount of time. The game won't even be over until 3:30.
And why are there so many HS games on Saturday anyway? High School varsity football should be played on Friday night. I mean I can understand it in Detroit, where you don't want to be outside after dark, but we're talking about Scottsdale here.
November 11th, 2008 at 3:14 PM ^
Arizona is two hours behind Michigan remember, so if he timed it right, he could do it. But, I'm thinking they are rescheduling, since he would've already gotten back to me about it.