The Rest of College Football

[iam416]

2. The NCAA officially says "fuck it" and loosens (or does away with) the constraints on amateurism

The funny thing is that SEC schools (and Clemson, heh) should probably oppose this with every fiber of their being. Right now they have a massive advantage in that most of CFB generally tries to follow the rules -- at least the big ones.

Opening up shit so that schools with endowments that dwarf SEC shitass schools could be devastating. I would think it would set most SEC schools on an USSR-type path if they elect to compete. They'll spend themselves into oblivion trying to keep up with successful, big dollar actual universities.

Now, I do think there are some SEC schools that are sick of this shit, too. I think Florida and Georgia (and Vandy!) come to mind immediately. I suspect, on nothing more than my own hunch, that they're intermediate the SEC West and B10 and perhaps closer to the B10. More importantly, they'd prefer to be closer to the B10 in how they do business, but they have to compete with these guys for every single recruit.

[hack]

If it is indeed so pervasive, how does a team like Florida do it?

[iam416]

I think recruiting is still more about relationships and comfort level, even in the SEC.

But I think the SEC deals with far more recruits that have a $$$ component to the process.

So, Florida and Georgia still offer a lot to recruits. And those staffs are going to get their fair share of recruits because they're good recruiters selling a good product. And I'm sure they pay some, too, because they have to.

I mean, M is going to land DeShawn Hand over the likes of Alabama. It's not going to be because they pay more (or at all). He feels most comfortable with that staff.

[hack]

We'll see about that, but I see your point. Still. That's a lot of money to turn down.

[WM Wolverine]

For the most part it's a fraction of the 'elite' recruits (top 50-75 type) that are getting bought, in both revenue sports. Once they are in class, on campus; boosters at schools are 'taking care of' the athletes.

Happens lots of places and the Div 4 ($4k stipend, 3 meals/day, etc.) is actually a step to help the kids from relying on the boosters. These kids need money to live, eat while they have no income other than grants/financial aid.

[iam416]

It is a lot of money. I would think that it would be particularly hard to turn down for kids that aren't 5* type players. I think 5* kids may actually think, eh, I'll get mine soon enough. Lesser recruits may think, I better get the $25K or whatever while I can. And, of course, circumstances, circumstances, circumstances. As I understand it, DJ Fluker's family got whitewashed by Katrina. I don't blame him at all, really, for taking cash -- as I've always said, I'm not going to turn these kids into criminals for breaking amoral NCAA rules.

Eh. The bottom line is that schools like OSU, M and ND can go out and recruit against anybody for a host of reasons. There are certain kids they have no shot with, but there are so many other viable options that they can still fill out great classes.

[iam416]

Also worth point out is that recruiting is also very regional. It's always been difficult to pull recruits from across the country. The 10-year war was built on Ohio recruits. Now, the southeast is producing gads of HS talent. It's natural to think that the local schools would reap the benefits of that uptick.

So, while I do think there is very much a "different way of doing things" down south, I think it's just one part of the equation. I think most of those schools offer great facilities, passionate fanbases and great gameday experiences. And those schools are relatively close to home. Then it's a matter of figuring out which staff/school you feel most comfortable with. They may end up getting paid to go there, but I think the proximity+relationships is a huge factor.

I actually think the $$$ issue is most prominent with recruits OSU/M/ND have zero chance with. A recruit from Alabama probably will never come north. So the fact that Alabama and Auburn are in a massive bidding war for him is almost irrelevant to most schools.

[WM Wolverine]

The 'top' kids from Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana & less-so Florida almost never leave the southeast. Like talent said, 'culture' plays a big role in that (some of these kids care less about the 'quality' of education.) Another for example, in-state recruit that went to Tennessee last year (who grew up a Wolverine fan) said 'Ann Arbor was too liberal' for him...

My only beef is that it seems to be happening much less often than I remember just 10-12 years ago when I felt M was competing and winning recruiting battles in Florida, Georgia & Texas vs 'other' SEC schools.

[iam416]

The last big-time recruit that M landed from the south that I can remember is Ryan Mallet. Carlos Brown and Hemingway were pretty highly regarded, too. But part fo that is also the 3-year wasteland. Hoke's 2015 class has 2 big-time gets from SEC country and I'd expect M to be competitive with kids in the south going forward.

Ohio State has done a little better. Part of that may be UFM allure in the Southeast and Tim Herman's job in Texas. Also, this staff doesn't seem willing to settle for 12-15 recruits from Ohio as a foundation.


I also agree that, as you noted, Texas and Florida (and Georgia, IMO) are a little more open to the B10.

[Pasadena Blue]

The 'top' kids from Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana & less-so Florida almost never leave the southeast. Like talent said, 'culture' plays a big role in that (some of these kids care less about the 'quality' of education.) Another for example, in-state recruit that went to Tennessee last year (who grew up a Wolverine fan) said 'Ann Arbor was too liberal' for him....

While this could be true, isn't is possible that the "culture" that is attractive to these kids is the culture of improper benefits?

By the way do UM or Ohio have/use hostesses?

[Tony G]

From deadspin

[entropy]

I have little doubt that at least some players at all B10 programs receive improper benefits from boosters while they are playing.

I do not think academic fraud is common in the B10.

I do not think B10 schools engage in buying recruits.

The magnitude of rule-breaking in the South, amongst certain schools, is exponentially greater than anything you'll see in the B10. IMO.

agree...

[lineygoblue]

By the way do UM or Ohio have/use hostesses?

I believe Michigan does. At least as of a few years ago they did. I saw a group of recruits at the stadium, and they had young ladies walking with them, wearing U-M blazers and back packs.

I would hope that they have not been encouraged to have sex with the recruits in order to win their commitment.

[Tony G]

but....if the mood hits them....(and he's a top recruit).....

[whodean]

I think most of those schools offer great facilities, passionate fanbases and great gameday experiences. And those schools are relatively close to home. Then it's a matter of figuring out which staff/school you feel most comfortable with. They may end up getting paid to go there, but I think the proximity+relationships is a huge factor.

But but but, they CHEAT, that is all.