Questions continue to lurk under surface of recruiting
Chicago Sun-Times, Dec 17, 1999 by Taylor Bell
I'm not saying the only reason the two best running backs in the Chicago area aren't being recruited by major colleges is because they are white.
But you'd have a hard time convincing anyone who saw the Class 6A championship game that Naperville Central's Ryan Clifford hasn't got the moves, quickness and toughness to play in Division I.
Until Clifford took off like a rocket, scoring a state-record 51 touchdowns, most observers targeted Hinsdale Central's Mike Mangan as the leading ball-carrier in the state.
Neither of them is drawing much interest from big-time recruiters. Both have been invited to visit Ball State. Maryland is considering Mangan. Illinois dropped Clifford from its shopping list, but Indiana made a last-minute call and invited him to visit this weekend.
Are they too slow, too small or too white? It is a taboo subject among college coaches. Even high school coaches don't want to talk about skin tones. It reminds of 20 to 25 years ago, when black quarterbacks were a controversial issue in college and professional football.
"Remember when no one wanted to recruit or sign a black quarterback?" recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said. "And if they did, he was shifted to cornerback or wide receiver. Now we have the same problem with extremely productive white running backs.
"The colleges won't talk about it, like black quarterbacks weren't talked about. But it still goes on. Recruiters claim white running backs aren't explosive enough or fast enough. But Clifford has what it takes. Recruiters say they love him but they can't get final approval."
Naperville Central coach Joe Bunge doesn't think it is a racial issue. The area's other top running backs, Schaumburg's Jason Hawkins and Barrington's Dan Pohlman, are white. Pohlman chose Northwestern over Illinois. Hawkins picked Northern Illinois. After rushing for nearly 3,000 yards, he could have switched to a Big Ten school but elected to honor his commitment to NIU.
"White isn't an issue. Those days are past," Bunge said. "I think Ryan can play in the Big Ten. Guys his size are playing in the NFL. (Georgia Tech quarterback) Joe Hamilton isn't big, but he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. There are many cases where kids with great heart are successful.
"I'm disappointed in the recruiting process. Here is a kid who has done things that no one else in state history has accomplished, but college coaches are reluctant to offer a scholarship. Are they saying that Ryan can't do something or play somewhere to make a team better?"
Hinsdale Central coach Ken Schreiner is baffled by lack of interest in Mangan. He understands the recruiting process is an inexact science, that schools have certain needs, that some athletes are priorities and some aren't.
"We're talking about two of the top backs in the state, including a kid (Clifford) who is the poster boy for high school football in Illinois this year," he said. "I would think there are colleges that would show more interest than none at all. Mangan brings as much or more to the table than others we have had who are succeeding in Division I. I know how hard kids work to put themselves in position to be considered for a scholarship. And I know hard work doesn't guarantee success. But you would think Clifford and Mangan would command more consideration on their merits."
