• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

Recruiting Solely For Rapport?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
Cornerback6

Cornerback6

Optimism Lover
I'm not the expert here, but I'm sure that 99% of our recruiting efforts are directed towards athletes who we would at some point like to commit to us or have the possibility of earning an offer to potentially become Buckeyes. That being said, I sometimes wonder (especially with the bigger in-state schools) if we do a bit of light recruiting of some less-talented players just to build a better rapport with whichever powerhouse high school might have that particular athlete.

Maybe I'm not presenting the idea clear enough or coming across wrong, but I could definitely see this happening (practically all through mail, not visits). Maybe some of the mods or admins on here could give a bit more insight on the issue, but I was just curious.

If you think about it, it makes sense. In fact, I would bet a good bit that all elite schools do this to put their names in as many hats as possible. Just wondering how much of this actually goes on. Maybe an impossible quandry to squash, just curiosity. Any thoughts?
 
Cornerback6;846936; said:
I'm not the expert here, but I'm sure that 99% of our recruiting efforts are directed towards athletes who we would at some point like to commit to us or have the possibility of earning an offer to potentially become Buckeyes. That being said, I sometimes wonder (especially with the bigger in-state schools) if we do a bit of light recruiting of some less-talented players just to build a better rapport with whichever powerhouse high school might have that particular athlete.

Maybe I'm not presenting the idea clear enough or coming across wrong, but I could definitely see this happening (practically all through mail, not visits). Maybe some of the mods or admins on here could give a bit more insight on the issue, but I was just curious.

If you think about it, it makes sense. In fact, I would bet a good bit that all elite schools do this to put their names in as many hats as possible. Just wondering how much of this actually goes on. Maybe an impossible quandry to squash, just curiosity. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Look at Cincy as an example of this... Cooper paid little to no attention to the area and JT had to really build relationships back up down there... There is definitely an element in recruiting that dictates keeping good relationships... Coaches know that it could be only a year away that that school will have a kid that they might want... So it's important to keep good relationships no doubt...
 
Upvote 0
Absolutely true. Coaches are assigned regions...it is good business to make contacts in the area for future recruiting purposes. For instance, when tOSU came to SC to visit Aram Olson, the coaches also made appearances at numerous other high schools for future prospects...Conway (Junior Hemingway), Summerville (A.J. Green), etc...

The mail that is sent out by football programs is staggering...when the letters become personalized or handwritten, that is when you know you are a real prospect. However, there are schools that send out stats or quotes daily...it piles up quickly.
 
Upvote 0
What amazes me is how when a kid claims to have grown up liking OSU, everyone wants an offer out to him the next day. MarQueis Gray is a perfect example...the moment the update came out about him being a Buckeye fan growing up people on Scout were talking about not waiting around for Pryor because he wasn't a "JT-type recruit" (i.e. did not want to commit early) and offering Gray because they assumed he would accept on the spot. Just because a kid like OSU does mean he is worthy of an offer and just because we offer a kid who grew up liking OSU does not mean he will accept on the spot...people have to be naive to think that there isn't a little more that goes into what is up until this point probably the biggest decision of these kid's lives.
 
Upvote 0
I would say yes, and no, in regards to your question. To whit-

1-Tressel and Co. have made a much greater effort to "keep in touch" w/ Ohio coaches tahn Cooper did-stopping in at schools, speaking at banquets, inviting them to work at camps,etc. That said, this attention is primarily coach centered-if a kid comes along the HS staff will give a favorable vibe- a very important thing when recruiting from talent pools like GCL schools,Colerain,Glenville,GlenOak,etc.

2-That said, if a kid is getting tickets to tOSU games and visits from the staff-the staff is seriously thinking about extending an offer, even if an offer is not ultimately extended. Also, the staff will sometimes let lesser prospects tag along for game visits if they are friends/teammates w/ an elite offered prospect from the same school. The staff is not going to yank the chain of a kid who is MAC caliber athlete just to stay in "contact" w/ a program. Some programs produce an OSU caliber athlete virtually every year or every other year-Glenville,St. Eds, Lakota-West, some every 5-10 years-Upper Arlington, Lancaster,Alter, Centerville,others are a once in a generation thing-Bellbrook, Coldwater, other small/rural schools
 
Upvote 0
Just my own feeling, but I think Ginn Sr. has had a bone thrown to him every so often. The lineman Browning is a guy I think JT took to keep TG1 happy. IMHO JT is first in line at Glenville and he is making sure it stays that way.
 
Upvote 0
stowfan;847041; said:
Just my own feeling, but I think Ginn Sr. has had a bone thrown to him every so often. The lineman Browning is a guy I think JT took to keep TG1 happy. IMHO JT is first in line at Glenville and he is making sure it stays that way.
Click to expand...

Browning is probably not a good example...supposedly he has really impressed the staff and is likely to be on the 2-deep at guard this year. And I don't consider it a token offer when an SEC powerhouse was desperate to land him (Tennessee).
 
Upvote 0
I would be disappointed to learn that JT was throwing out offers as favors or to placate - depending on what that means. If there is an extra ship and all things considered two kids are pretty much equal, sure, why not go with Glenville. But I would hope nothing more than that. I think JT is paying back Ginn by constantly looking at his kids and giving them a chance at exposure - which is the key to being considered for an offer.

As stx said, you can court the coach and the program without stringing kids along or giving bogus offers.

Also, I think the example of Jordan may be a bit unfair. Granted, he did not look that great on paper, but his injury problems started before he had a chance to prove he might be another Malcolm Jenkins or Anderson Russell. 2003 was a very small class to be throwing any bones.
 
Upvote 0
From watching in person, Zwick to Jordan back in their days at Massillion, Jordan looked pretty legit to me. He was not a burner, but ran good routes and held on to the ball on the dead run. I could be wrong but I recall both
Browning and Terry getting late offers without grades being an issue.
 
Upvote 0
Contacts are one thing, of course the entire staff here wants to have good contacts and relationships with schools in this state, but I don't think that Tress and company offer anybody they don't want wearing the Scarlet and Gray. Any coach here with an ounce of sense will try to keep good relationships with Ohio high schools, that's where 90% of our players come from.

If we get the best kids out of Ohio on a yearly basis we'll be competitive nationally for years.
 
Upvote 0
There are some/many who thought Robiskie and D. Washington were token offers once we missed out on other prospects....if JT and coaching staff offer no matter what the situation or time frame, that player is worthy of an offer, you can take that to the bank
 
Upvote 0
wadc45;847067; said:
Browning is probably not a good example...supposedly he has really impressed the staff and is likely to be on the 2-deep at guard this year. And I don't consider it a token offer when an SEC powerhouse was desperate to land him (Tennessee).
Click to expand...

Wad, you consider Tennessee an SEC powerhouse?

Only playing on your words. I agree w/ your point, just a subtle dig aimed at the Vols who haven't been relevant in the SEC since 1999.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top