With so much riding on recruiting and developing players these days, I’m wondering, what makes a good recruiter? What skills do they have that enable them to form strong relationships with these elite players and get them signed. Would particularly like to hear from players, former players or anyone who has been through the recruiting process. How did the recruiters initially approach you? How were they able to determine what was important to you? Was there any negative recruiting? Did you notice a big difference in some recruiters being better than others? What made them better? I know, of course, that there are other factors that attract recruits, like a winning team record, being close to home, a defensive or offensive scheme that fits the recruits abilities and, of course, the NIL. Why are the Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State recruiters able to get the most elite players every year? What do we have to do to attract and sign those players?
A friend of the family is a higer end 3 star recruit who had offers from SEC schools, but went with a non power 5. I asked him the same question, he said: - who else was on the roster, how early could he play - relationship with position coach - cash money Most of all, he felt wanted. They were the first on him and stayed on him for 3 years. Constant contact, he felt part of the team before he was on it. Is now early enrolled. I'm sure it's different for everyone, just one person's experience. He also said star rating is playing the game. Not that u can be a 2 star talent and be a 4 star, but going to camps, exposing yourself to media makes a big difference.
I would like to thank my family, my high school coaches and everyone who helped make me what I am today. After spending the last few days in deep prayer, God finally spoke to me and told me to TAKE THE MONEY!!!!!! God also told me the directions to the nearest ESCALADE dealer. Thank You All.
Friend of mine's son was a significant player a few years back. Made the NFL for a couple years but chose not to be a journeyman and gave up on the NFL. Late 2010s era His father said that while he was being recruited and when he went to school he didn't have to want for anything. Said they were blessed and couldn't complain about anything. This was well before NIL
To me, a good recruiter is primarily someone who can build a very good relationship with the recruit and sell his vision. Thats a no brainer. However, to land that recruit, you have to manage that perception of being a hot team in the country. Many ways of doing this.....good on the field play against top teams and leverage it to show promise of improvement to the recruit. Hugh Freeze is a master at this.....he is a no 1 crook, but is able to build a perception that his program is on the way up....Napier sells his vision and commitment to the recruit, but fails to effectively manage perception on the ground (media). He has been on the defensive because his mistakes with initial staff hires at UF...Toney was a mistake....should have went for a top notch DC and to top it off...he has lost 4 out of 5 D coaches from his initial hires in 2 years. Cannot miss that many when trying to rebuild a program...This had led to a perception of a program in turmoil and the on field performance hasnt helped.
We have an army, but not compared to SEC powers in numbers, experience and quality. On my Christmas list for Oprah, You get an upgrade, you get an upgrade, everybody gets an upgrade! Suitcases not bags
I wonder if the days of a recruiter are numbered. I am becoming more and more jaded as to what’s happening in college football today. To me it’s no longer playing for the love of the sport. Yes, the best players were handed money and whatever else under the table and we all knew it. But today the advent of the NIL has made it an open cash grab. Kids don’t even have to graduate to make lifetimes of money in college. They can transfer year after year now and start and play immediately. The organizations like Florida Victorious (not picking on them just an example)have the purse strings so as not to look like the actual college paid the players. It’s all leaving a bad taste in my mouth and in my heart.
Winning, sure. Stability? Only matters so much as you’re winning. Vandy is year-in-and-out one of the most stable, consistent teams in the SEC.
Since I got your stock answer, you can have mine: if Napier doesn’t start winning this season, then he will never sniff stability, at least not at this program.
