The Only Recruiting Question That Really Matters

Randy Carson

Randy Carson

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When a Georgia Tech football coach is recruiting a three-star high school or transfer portal athlete, only one question really matters:

Why do you want to play college football?

If the answer is, “I want to play in the NFL,” then Georgia Tech has to be able to say, “Our position coaches are among the best in all of football, and if you work hard, you'll get coaching, development and playing time at Tech that will prepare you to play on Sundays.” The question at that point is whether Tech has committed to PAYING for the best coaches we can possibly afford at each of those positions. (I'm thinking about Indiana at this point.)

But if the answer is, “I want a good education,” then Georgia Tech already offers that in spades. The real question, then, is whether the kid is willing to work hard enough on the field and in the classroom to earn that degree.

Is it really more complicated than this?
 

bigrabbit

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“The study found that many 3-star recruits now put NIL money ahead of academics when choosing a school.”

www.cmu.edu

NIL Levels the Playing Field in College Football, Study Finds

Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that name, image and likeness (NIL) rules, which let college athletes earn money through things like endorsements, sponsorships or selling their personal brand, are making college football fairer and more exciting.
www.cmu.edu www.cmu.edu
 

bigrabbit

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Roddy just now advocated starting a “universal degree program” adopted by all power football programs, to facilitate portal players more easily transferring credits.
 
4shotB

4shotB

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bigrabbit said:
Roddy just now advocated starting a “universal degree program” adopted by all power football programs, to facilitate portal players more easily transferring credits.
Click to expand...
I generally like Roddy Jones but this sounds somewhat like a GED program for athletes imo. By the way, are you related to a certain someone who just performed at the Super Bowl? Asking for a friend. ;)
 
Northeast Stinger

Northeast Stinger

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My take is that recruiting to a school like Tech requires a lot of skills and the ability to be flexible in the approach. Every athlete is different. Some know exactly what they are looking for, some only think they know, and some are totally clueless about college life.

Step One: Evaluation. Do they have the skill set to compete at the college level? Do they fill a position need? Do they have a sufficient academic background that they won’t flounder in the classroom? Will they fit in the Atlanta / Tech culture? Are they psychologically equipped to be away from home? Are they free of significant behavioral issues?

Step Two: Building a relationship with the recruit. What motivates this student athlete? Is it building a life after football? Is it just to get to the pros? What kind of nurturing will they need, academically, athletically, socially?
Can we deliver what they are asking for or what they need? How are we going to support them in the unique ways they may require? Are we sufficiently impressed with this young man that we will continue to follow his career even if he doesn’t choose Tech?

Step Three: Closing the deal. If we are convinced this athlete is a perfect fit for Tech what will it take to close the deal? Having their high school coach advocate for Tech? Talking to mom? Having current team members reach out? Connecting them to business leaders in the community? Wowing them and entertaining them with Atlanta sites and culture? Showing them the money? Showing them more money? Sharing some specific, high tech, computer generated images of them in a particular scheme, play, or position and letting them see how the play unfolds?

Step Four: Protect your prospect. Know which programs are trying to poach your athletes, stay vigilant, keep in constant communication, listen for any change in tone in the voice of the prospect and take preemptive action whenever possible.

Even with all this you have to remember that up until approximately age 32 most males do not have the decision making parts of their brains fully formed. They are unpredictable, often don’t make the best decisions, and can change their minds in sudden and unexpected ways.
 

billga99

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Northeast Stinger said:
My take is that recruiting to a school like Tech requires a lot of skills and the ability to be flexible in the approach. Every athlete is different. Some know exactly what they are looking for, some only think they know, and some are totally clueless about college life.

Step One: Evaluation. Do they have the skill set to compete at the college level? Do they fill a position need? Do they have a sufficient academic background that they won’t flounder in the classroom? Will they fit in the Atlanta / Tech culture? Are they psychologically equipped to be away from home? Are they free of significant behavioral issues?

Step Two: Building a relationship with the recruit. What motivates this student athlete? Is it building a life after football? Is it just to get to the pros? What kind of nurturing will they need, academically, athletically, socially?
Can we deliver what they are asking for or what they need? How are we going to support them in the unique ways they may require? Are we sufficiently impressed with this young man that we will continue to follow his career even if he doesn’t choose Tech?

Step Three: Closing the deal. If we are convinced this athlete is a perfect fit for Tech what will it take to close the deal? Having their high school coach advocate for Tech? Talking to mom? Having current team members reach out? Connecting them to business leaders in the community? Wowing them and entertaining them with Atlanta sites and culture? Showing them the money? Showing them more money? Sharing some specific, high tech, computer generated images of them in a particular scheme, play, or position and letting them see how the play unfolds?

Step Four: Protect your prospect. Know which programs are trying to poach your athletes, stay vigilant, keep in constant communication, listen for any change in tone in the voice of the prospect and take preemptive action whenever possible.

Even with all this you have to remember that up until approximately age 32 most males do not have the decision making parts of their brains fully formed. They are unpredictable, often don’t make the best decisions, and can change their minds in sudden and unexpected ways.
Click to expand...
I think the last point is right and the most difficult. I think for many it is twofold, money and chances to play in the NFL. If they have a longer term planning timeframe...ie life after football..we have a much better chance
 

g0lftime

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Oldgoldandwhite said:
The real question. How much money do you want?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately that is the question most of them are interested in these days. If that is the first thing they want to know, better not recruit them. Its about the money and no real interest in the school itself and may not like the academic rigor. A very experienced player that fills an immediate need is a different situation. May be worth breaking out the checkbook for a one year need.
 

yeti92

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bigrabbit said:
Roddy just now advocated starting a “universal degree program” adopted by all power football programs, to facilitate portal players more easily transferring credits.
Click to expand...
A degree program specifically for athletes who don't plan to stay at any school more than a year or two will be a "universally WORTHLESS degree program". Right up there with underwater basket weaving, zero chance I am hiring anyone with that on their resume. I can't imagine many coaches want to bring in players that would be on such a degree program either, its an immediate red flag that they aren't looking to stick around, just get paid.
 
iceeater1969

iceeater1969

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yeti92 said:
A degree program specifically for athletes who don't plan to stay at any school more than a year or two will be a "universally WORTHLESS degree program". Right up there with underwater basket weaving, zero chance I am hiring anyone with that on their resume. I can't imagine many coaches want to bring in players that would be on such a degree program either, its an immediate red flag that they aren't looking to stick around, just get paid.
Click to expand...
Are we debating last decades problems?
 
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Oldgoldandwhite

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bigrabbit said:
Roddy just now advocated starting a “universal degree program” adopted by all power football programs, to facilitate portal players more easily transferring credits.
Click to expand...
I agree with him. I don’t see how you could ever get a serious degree coming and going. The ones that want to will find a way. Those that just want to play football get the Carson Beck degree.
 
UgaBlows

UgaBlows

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This could actually be a positive if it were done in the right way, with actual enforced standards that resulted in a useful degree that the players (who would normally get a useless degree, or never graduate) could actually use to find a job and be productive members of society.
 

CLHarperJackt

Georgia Tech Fan
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Oldgoldandwhite said:
I agree with him. I don’t see how you could ever get a serious degree coming and going. The ones that want to will find a way. Those that just want to play football get the Carson Beck degree.
Click to expand...
Totally agree with you. Why even pretend that today's players, for the most part, aren't simply hired mercenaries. So, just offer them some classes that they would possibly find useful in their athletic carriers as they transfer from school to school, e.g. Communication, Public Speaking, Nutrition, Personal Finance, Physical Education Degrees etc.
 

bigrabbit

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4shotB said:
I generally like Roddy Jones but this sounds somewhat like a GED program for athletes imo. By the way, are you related to a certain someone who just performed at the Super Bowl? Asking for a friend. ;)
Click to expand...
I like Roddy, posted that interesting bit without judgement, we’re all coming to grips with a new world. Combine cynicism about college degrees, with nil, young guys who all think they’re going pro, this is what you get. Of course, at most only a few percent will make it for a 3.3 year average career, then what.

I am actually a musician, just 180 degree opposite style from that guy who shamelessly copied my name:)
 

Heisman's Ghost

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Randy Carson said:
When a Georgia Tech football coach is recruiting a three-star high school or transfer portal athlete, only one question really matters:

Why do you want to play college football?

If the answer is, “I want to play in the NFL,” then Georgia Tech has to be able to say, “Our position coaches are among the best in all of football, and if you work hard, you'll get coaching, development and playing time at Tech that will prepare you to play on Sundays.” The question at that point is whether Tech has committed to PAYING for the best coaches we can possibly afford at each of those positions. (I'm thinking about Indiana at this point.)

But if the answer is, “I want a good education,” then Georgia Tech already offers that in spades. The real question, then, is whether the kid is willing to work hard enough on the field and in the classroom to earn that degree.

Is it really more complicated than this?
Click to expand...
Well, I was, perhaps naively, thinking that just about all of them wanted to get rich quick. Isn't that the way the game is played these days or am I missing something?
 
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