As high school football recruits go through the process of making their all important decisions on which college to attend we thought it might be helpful to offer a guide of what NOT to do during the process:
Forget about announcing a date for making an early verbal commitment: Last time I checked, National Signing Day (NSD) was still in early February. If a recruit really wants to secure their spot on a team by announcing an early verbal commitment then there is a proper way to do so. When a recruit has formally reached their decision they should publicly and/or silently verbally commit to a team and stick to it. The false drama around setting an early announcement date, then postponing the decision just to get more attention and then changing that decision every month after that is childish nonsense. It shows a lack of maturity and poor decision making skills. Not exactly what a head coach (or parents) should want from any of their players (or sons).
Lose the false commitments and misdirection: Saying that one university is your "Dream School" is like saying Jessica Alba or Halle Berry is your dream girl. If she calls you, or shows up at your front door one night, and says she wants you then obviously you commit on the spot. You don't hedge and haw about the fact that Beyonce or Kate may call you tomorrow and you have to "think it over". Stop the stupidity, the misdirection and the false sentiments. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Live your life that way every day, all the time. It is called speaking the truth, and that is always a good thing.
Picking a top 12: If you say that you have 12 schools to decide among during your recruiting process then really the process is still wide open so just say so. Announcing a top 10 or 12 is really announcing that you have no idea where you want to attend college. If you have a top three or maybe even top five that is reasonable, but a top 10 or 12 or 15 is just ridiculous. Do your research, evaluate your options, narrow down the field to the best options for you personally and then decide which school, campus, team and coach is the best fit for you. Once you have done that then you will be best equipped to make an informed decision and a good choice for your future.
Save the drama for your Mama: If you are at your National Signing Day event on live TV in February and your mother runs away with your NSD papers that will just embarrass you in public. Looking foolish and angry in front of the cameras on what should be one of the most important and joyous days of your life is never a good look for you. So skip the drama, be smart about the process and avoid letting that happen to you and your family. Respect yourself, your parents (both of them) and do what is ethical and responsible in all situations. Yes, we know that you want some attention and that is understandable, but strive for positive attention, not negative attention that impacts your image in a detrimental way.
The hat game is stale: Don't play the game that has been played out. Don't switch to the T-Shirt shuffle or the headgear flip-flop. Just be mature, smart and responsible and do the right thing. Say where you want to go and why you want to go there. It is simple really, and buys you respect and credibility with your new teammates. Seriously, we are talking major street cred and will help you gain acceptance from your teammates once you get there. Because as soon as you arrive on campus you are just another one of 85 players on the roster. You don't know this yet but the coach's first goal is to "de-recruit" you and bring you back to earth and grasp the reality that you are no longer the big man on campus like you were in high school. Time to get with the program, respect your coaches and teammates or get gone.
Not only that, but sentence structure he has no idea of.
Posted by: Old Skool | July 16, 2013 at 12:54 PM
I have a freaking 9th grade Dade & Broward County education..and even I can write better than that..at least when I try lol
Posted by: UMike | July 16, 2013 at 01:01 PM
1 - Terrible writing.
2 - Whatever recruit does what the story says not to, definitely Isnt reading this blog. Seriously.
Posted by: Flit | July 16, 2013 at 12:34 PM
---------------------------------------
Hence my "Pot, meet kettle" reply.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 16, 2013 at 01:06 PM
he wrote the sentence like Yoda talks.
Posted by: trianglecane | July 16, 2013 at 01:29 PM
old scool.....we don't end a sentence with a preposition when corecting someone else.
no English major here either.
Fran
Posted by: fran | July 16, 2013 at 01:44 PM
yea..I suck at English..Im just busting some chops lol
Posted by: UMike | July 16, 2013 at 01:52 PM
The ESPN300 for juniors is out (new feature).
These are names I've heard, but really have no idea about any of them... save #42.
#11 D. Phillips, WR
#26, J. Scarlett, RB
#42, #TownCane, QB
#50, D. Peete, WR
#53, T. Cole, CB
#65, T. McFadden, CB
#117, J. Johnson, ATH
#123, S. Burgess-Becker, S
#160, T. Irvin, WR
#167, S. Wilson, WR
#262, K. Lewis, WR
Heavy on WR's.
Posted by: LB | July 16, 2013 at 02:02 PM
LB...D. Phillips is from Central and recently committed to Florida, although Miami will be after him. Scarlett is a U School kd and probably heading to the SEC. Burgess-Becker will ranked A LOT higher when it is all said and done, kid is a beast. Cole and Irvin should be Miami leans imo
Posted by: UMike | July 16, 2013 at 02:05 PM
LB, #10 DT Daylon Mack was offered by Canes recently, and he's got legit interest.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 16, 2013 at 02:07 PM
Top WR's of the BCS Era:
#31, Santana Moss
#39, Reggie Wayne
#60, Andre Johnson
http://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-footballs-top-50-wide-receivers-bcs-era
Posted by: LB | July 16, 2013 at 02:09 PM
Top Dynasties of the AP Era:
http://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-footballs-top-25-greatest-dynasties-ap-era
3. Miami (86-92)
7. Miami (00-03)
Posted by: LB | July 16, 2013 at 02:10 PM
Ohio..I thought it was weird (good, but weird) that Mack was openly saying Miami was in his top 2 before he even had an offer. This is a kid that will be a 5-Star across the board and doesnt need a Miami offer to get attention.
Posted by: UMike | July 16, 2013 at 02:12 PM
Meh. I just posted it as news is slow as Congress these days. 2015 is all about Ricky Town... I seriously could care less about anyone else.
Posted by: LB | July 16, 2013 at 02:13 PM
3. Miami Hurricanes (1986-92): 78-6
On the heels of Howard Schnellenberger’s 1983 championship, Miami returned to the promised land under Jimmy Johnson in 1987 and Dennis Erickson in 1989 and '91. Over this seven-year span, the Canes lost less than one game per season, moved into the Big East and won two Heisman Trophies with Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992). The 29-game winning streak that was snapped by Alabama in what was Miami’s fifth national title game appearance in seven years is the 13th longest streak in NCAA history. From 1983-92, Miami posted a record of 107-14.
Butch Davis built it and Larry Coker finished it off. On what many believe to be the best team ever assembled — as its 17 first-round picks indicate — Miami won four straight Big East championships and one unbeaten national title in 2000. This team came up one pass interference call against Ohio State from back-to-back national crowns, and, at one point, rattled-off 34 straight wins. The winning streak was the longest since Wilkinson’s 47-gamer in the late '50s and is still tied for the sixth-best in NCAA history.
Posted by: UMike | July 16, 2013 at 02:14 PM
LB, #10 DT Daylon Mack was offered by Canes recently, and he's got legit interest.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 16, 2013 at 02:07 PM
------------------------------------------
Oh, and skimming through I also saw #40 TE/H-Back Devonaire Clarington who we offered.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 16, 2013 at 02:14 PM
This is a kid that will be a 5-Star across the board and doesnt need a Miami offer to get attention.
Posted by: UMike | July 16, 2013 at 02:12 PM
--------------------------------------
Which is what makes it legit interest, IMO.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 16, 2013 at 02:15 PM
Canesport is reporting that AQM will definitely report by the end of the month.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 16, 2013 at 02:17 PM
yea..I suck at English..Im just busting some chops lol
Posted by: UMike | July 16, 2013 at 01:52 PM
*********************************
English is my bestest subject .......
Posted by: raizecane | July 16, 2013 at 02:19 PM
English is my bestest subject .......
Posted by: raizecane | July 16, 2013 at 02:19 PM
--------------------------------
Don't U mean "most bestest"?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 16, 2013 at 02:19 PM
Don't U mean "most bestest"?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 16, 2013 at 02:19 PM
************************************
That too....hey, have you picked up NCAA 2014 yet?
Posted by: raizecane | July 16, 2013 at 02:22 PM
That too....hey, have you picked up NCAA 2014 yet?
Posted by: raizecane | July 16, 2013 at 02:22 PM
---------------------------------------
I haven't. Mainly because I haven't been on my PS3 in 6-8 months except to watch blu-ray movies. Lol
Heard mixed reviews though.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 16, 2013 at 02:23 PM
I'll be picking up my copy tomorrow. The AI is suppose to be better since they are now using the same engine as madden 2013. Blocking schemes are suppose to be much better too. All the reviews I have read seem to like the latest release.
Posted by: raizecane | July 16, 2013 at 02:27 PM
I hope the LB's dont have a 62" verticals in NCAA 2014 lol
Posted by: UMike | July 16, 2013 at 02:28 PM
Umike - that was a huge issue in 2012 and I think they addressed that in 2013 and I am sure its resolved in 2014. I just didnt care for a 225 lbs RB getting tackled by a 175 lbs corner on a regular basis. LOL
Posted by: raizecane | July 16, 2013 at 02:34 PM
I hear that raize..or when the big DT or DE some how gets to the RB who is in the open field on a sweep lol
Posted by: UMike | July 16, 2013 at 02:40 PM
Mike Miller getting amnestied...
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 16, 2013 at 03:09 PM
Recruits also play the "recruiting game" to leverage out value. Yeah I said it, when other schools know how bad another school wants you it drives up the price, sometimes all the way til NSD as schools get desperate at certain need positions, SEC schools do this a lot.
Posted by: Hassan | July 16, 2013 at 03:43 PM
Hey, Soup! You stole my dream school/Jessica Alba analogy from the other day! :) Great and accurate article.
Posted by: JCane | July 15, 2013 at 09:07 PM
I always follow great ideas with a GREAT article. Jus sayin...
Posted by: SOUP | July 15, 2013 at 10:56 PM
I believe that wuz my idea, but wit Meagan Good, and I sent that dear recruits letter of what not to do. I'm jus sayin
But anyways, good post Soup!!
Posted by: WWIN | July 16, 2013 at 06:52 PM
Willie Will, google Dolly Castro & tell me what u think.
Posted by: 4-Real | July 16, 2013 at 07:21 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: soup | July 16, 2013 at 08:23 PM