What matters most to a football recruit?

G

GT Ace

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In a sampling of 10 HS players being recruited from middle Tennessee, the answers were surprising. Definitely different from what us fans, as students, would have picked. Probably why we don't understand very well why an athlete will or won't go to our school. Without further ado about nothing here they are.
1)Likeable coaching staff. Barely beating out
2)Educational options offered. Farther down is
3)The conference or division played in.
4)Chance for national exposure. Tied with
4)Chance to play immediately. Tied with
4)Chance to play a desired position.
Less important factors were:
a)Family approval b)Location of the College c) Prestige & history of a program d)Size of a College
Remember; the most likeable coaches attract the most. Location, prestige & history are the LEAST important. Here's the article.
The 10 most important reasons to a football recruit
 
This is what I liked the most in this article of what they say are the top 10 players in Middle Tenn:

Our poll almost certainly lacks the scientific spin to impress scholars. But at least we can infer one thing from this crop of area standouts and the results they've offered:

This fall, college football coaches are being evaluated as much as the players.

''I'm looking for a coach who I can relate to and talk to about non-football related things,'' Goodpasture tailback Marcus Buggs said.

''Somebody who will be like a father away from home.''

This populations was from the "top 10 in Middle Tenn." I'll say this also: My thinking is the top recruits will be the ones that fit into the teams neads.

It's interesting to hear what these 10 have to say, but it may or may not be what "top players" from all over think.

What's this about divisions? Is that a SEC and Big 12 thing?

Not trying to down the article. Thought it was great info.
 
Just like in the world of sales, folks don't buy the product, they buy the salesperson. And from what THESE kids seem to want (guidance, mentor, father figure) I like our chances with most quality recruits!

 
The division thing was in reference to div 1a or 1aa or II, etc. They all 'want' to play 1a, but a couple may not get a 1a offer or may have to choose between 1a Troy (or MTSU or UAB) & 1aa Tenn-Chatt. Most would choose Troy St as it is 1a, a higher division.
A random sample is a random sample, but they are taken on nearly every subject on earth. How the sample relates to the general population, can't be determined for sure, without polling the entire population. That's how these 10 feel, like it or not.
Still it is quite revealing in how teenage football players view the perspective colleges. I'd say that a team better have a group of coaches that relate to today's teenagers very well to be successful. The coaching staffs are being graded by the teenagers on likeableness & being a 'regular guy' to them. Also, on being a guiding hand.
 
I think the reason a recruit goes to a particular college or university differs as widely as the interest of the recruit himself. It also varies widely with the skills of the player.

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A highly skilled athlete is more prone to look for the college that would get him the most exposure and quickest entry into the pros. A less skilled athlete would have a greater variety of reasons for choosing a particular college.

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It should be obvious, most of the recruits would have to like the coaching staff, their chances for playing or playing early, and the reputation of the school.

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However, there are zillions of reasons for all of the recruits. It could be as simple as following a certain female to a given school.



To open up an old can of worms, I would venture to say the least reason a recruit would have for deleting a college is that he heard some fans booing at the game.

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Statistics can say about anything you want.I have no doubt that those are valid reasons but the size of the sample and the restricted location would skew the result.
My guess is the more a SA cares about academics the less the"all winning /powerhouse" reputation means.Unfortunately the number of TOP athletes that consider the career/vocational aspect are few %wise.
 
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