Prep sometimes you are on point and others you say some of the dumbest stuff. You have kids all the time that are 1 good to great in HS talent but without offers due to three big components exposure, grades and/or size. Yes there are many schools that will go to bat with their administration for a under qualified PSA for school admittance but the kid(s) has to be worth it based upon the level of the school. But that has nothing to do with if the kids is a higher talent than another that does get an offer.
The first judgement of top level school's is mainly the eye test, if kid doesn't pass the eye test there needs to be some other factor to persuade the recruiter to look further into the kid (stats, wow factor, good word from reliable source). The second thing is grades because a college assistant main job security is his recruits and if he is bring in talented low grade kids that flunk or drop out within a year or two consistently then his job is short lived. Third is character for pretty much the exact reasons as number 2 character holds weight in a kid being recruited and getting an offer. Unless the talent and size can massively over shadow 2 and 3 the scholly is not offered.
Now maybe you are truly unable to see that because you are able to look through a cloudy lens but many coaches including myself no how it goes with trying to get an undersized, low grade bad attitude with mounds of talent PSA into school.
Give you a couple of examples.
Lynch from AI is #1 wr on this list talented kid good grades and has proven on the field to have the talent. Currently holds 1 offer to a D2 school. Why just that? Size/Speed equation doesn't match he is about 5'10 and not very fast. Not many know about him.
Another example the other way, the CB from Howard last season has been widely criticize about not being a good as DB and consistently beat in coverage. Received a scholly to UCONN. Nice kid and able to progress with his goals but primary reason for getting his 1 and only offer. 6'1 195 good speed and 3.5+ GPA and UCONN severally needs players. Talent was 5,6,7 on the list of priorities. That 1 offer made him the 2nd ranked player in the state of DE by most recruiting sources behind Roberts but ahead of Will Knight. Banks teammate from the year Howard won the state Trevon Bordrick probably top 10 or at least 15 in the state as far as talent that year. No scholly JUCO trip why grades.
And speaking of Knight why wasn't his stock offer greater I believe just about everyone would say he was the most "talented" player in the state. Answer size and speed nothing to do with talent.
This is something that happens everyday, every season, every year. So to say a kid with an offer is a lock more talented than a kid that does not; I'm sorry and don't mean to be rude but your credentials need to be revoked as a scout. That view is the exact reason kids are leaving their current HS and jumping from school to school to try and impress people like you to write and talk about them. Or get persuaded into paying hundreds of dollars to a scouting agency so they can get a scholly not knowing in many cases it hurts them more than help and they are wasting money.
I agree with most of what you are saying. I have said these things over and over in regards to FBS offers regarding size. I have also said division one FBS players are born not made. Size speed and measurements are genetic. Most important is NOT eye test. It’s film from Friday nights, not 7 on 7 or any other form of Football being played year round.
I never have, and never do take money from anyone for recruiting help. I preach the opposite don’t pay for recruiting. I also preach stay home. Multiple athletes from your state asked about transferring. Every single one of them I advised to stay home. “Bloom where you are planted” I’m against all that. Only exception if it’s done prior to HS for academics reasons, or say a kid is a 4 or 5 star has already committed and wants to attend a national powerhouse to get prepared to compete at the next level. 99 percent of athletes would be better served just staying home.
We have a different view of the word Talent. The notion that a FBS school or any school offering 250k or more to a less talented football player is ludicrous. There are talented under sized kids in every state and every year who get FBS offers. From film. The problem is most High school coaches And HS athletes lack self awareness. They believe they are more talented then they are. Many HS coaches are not even up to speed on what many colleges are looking for from position to position.
Character!! Your absolutely right about this for many many coaches this is what they look for after talent, and before grades. However one of the things I hate about this entire process is if you have top 300 talent, you could be dumber then dirt, a terrible person, and you will get muiltple offers, and chances. It’s sickening honestly. The same coach who preaches character is offering a 4 or 5 star athlete who has a criminal record, and a 2.5 GPA. But your 2 or no star kid won’t get that same opportunity.
Talent trumps all, it’s not size , or height. If you can play they will find a way. However If you have a 5’10” left tackle nick Saban is not recruiting you.
Your argument would be that the 5’10” left tackle could have more talent hen the 6’6” left tackle say Nick Saban would recruit. Or a 5’6” 160 pound running back with 4.7 speed has could have more talent then say a 5’9” 220 back who runs 4.4 ? But they won’t get the offer? Really ?
So my question to you would be why would any college coach take a less talented player if their very job and livelihood depends on winning games? It’s just not true. Nothing and I mean nothing trumps talent. The NCAA minimum academic guildlines are set forth for a reason. All FBS scholarships offers are full rides. Outside of the FBS grades, and guardians income pay a bigger role in scholarships.
This is also important in regards to walk ons. Every year slighty above average players are given walk on spots camp kids because it cost the program nothing. Meaning their guardians have the financial means to foot 100 percent of the bill. Sometimes those kids pan out. Most of the time they don’t. But it cost them nothing. Call it a bet with no downside , it happens in every program.
Point is talent and film is what coaches offer. But HS athletes over estimate their talent often. HS coaches are very biased also. They often over estimate their kids talent, and they should. But honestly no school is offering scholarship money to a kid who has less talent because of a couple inches. If the shorter, or slightly slower kid is better then they will get opportunities. Don’t build in excuses for these kids. The best athletes get the money. That does not mean they can’t out work them later. Something non of us can measure yet is mental tuffness. That is what really separates kids at the next level.
There are college guidelines for prototypical size, speed, height, and strength for each position we all look at , They are guidelines. Something we all look for is how your frame is. Where you carry your weight. Your body composition. Are you high or low cut. A lot of The eye test we are doing when you visit campus is on the athletes parents. We have to project and your biological parents are a pretty good indicator. I often would ask mom if little Johnny was shaving yet. However we never are Just bringing big tall guys in. They are only looked at because of film. Big is not a skill. Neither is weight room strength. Most of the traits that make the the most explosive athlete your born with. However you must show it on the field. Will college coaches take a shot on a 4.3 40 kid, yes. But I’m telling you that talent trumps all. Film film film. Impact plays, we all itch for the twitch!!
