Article: Modern recruiting Scrutinized

[orange+white=heaven]

Time Free Press Article

This is a longish read, and covers some frequently debated ground. But there are insights and quotes that make it worth the time...

A couple of Highlights..

...high school coaches, sports sociologists and the reform-minded Knight Commission are fearful the high school star is too hidden from his coaches during the recruiting process due to the influx of cell phone calls and text messages. They worry the elite prospect’s true identity is hidden behind a ranking system developed by recruiting websites like Rivals.com and Scout. com.

And there’s concern that the 17-year-old football stars who signed a letter of intent Wednesday, spoiled by the mounting attention given to recruiting, are hidden from the disappointing realities of college football.

"I have been around these so-called experts at high school football games, combines, our practice sessions and my press conferences," former North Carolina coach John Bunting said, "and some of them don’t know whether a football is stuffed or pumped."

A recruiting class glittering with four- and five-star athletes will please a program’s fan base and boosters.

One filled with two-star athletes, even if the coach believes in their abilities, are usually met with cynicism.

"I liken recruiting to buying a puppy," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "You don’t know if it’s going to grow up to be the best hunting dog or not."

B.J. Coleman was not considered one of those last year. The McCallie quarterback was unranked by Rivals.com before Tennessee and Alabama showed interest.

Almost overnight, Coleman became a four-star prospect and No. 10 in his class among prostyle quarterbacks, giving credence to critics who say Rivals. com boosts the star-ratings for athletes recruited by major programs.

"How did I become a four star? That’s a great question," said Coleman, who signed with Tennessee on Wednesday. "It’s hilarious. A lot of it could be popularity, who you know or how soon you know them. I’m not sure how it changed."

The NCAA is considering limits on text messaging but tabled the issue in January and will revisit it in April. The Division I Management Council’s recent proposal to limit texting from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends was defeated.

"I find it almost ludicrous," said DeMatha Catholic High football coach Bill McGregor, whose program is one of the most successful in the state of Maryland. "The text messages come at the most inappropriate times. You have a boy sitting in class and the next thing you know he’s being distracted because he’s getting a text message from a college recruiter.

"The whole process has gotten entirely out of hand."

[texas_vol]

Saban said, liken? Now, he's talking like a Bammer?

[jakez4ut]

interesting.

[utvol0427]

Originally Posted by texas_vol

Saban said, liken? Now, he's talking like a Bammer?

No I would liken Saban's talking to that of a coonass, not a bammer.

[texas_vol]

my bad. ;)

[Vol67]

It's going to be even harder with the new NCAA rules