NCAAB: Is it Crazy or Smart When Colleges Recruit and Try to Get Commitments From Kids That Didn't Even Go to High School Yet (Grade-Schoolers)?
Cheezhead said 05/15, 04:38 PM
It's crazy.
Colleges are looking for commitments and are going after 7th-and 8th-graders?
They might look like they will become something, and who knows, they could be the next big thing. But you can never tell this early on. Anything can happen, and it is safer (and smarter) to wait until the kid goes to high school before going after him.
How do you know that an 8th-grader will be an All-American when he makes it to college? What can you see in them?
Anyway, these kids aren't even in high school, and you want them thinking college? This is craziness.
The A-Wall Show said 05/15, 04:51 PM
Its not crazy. not at all,
Its the ability to find young talent at the Grade school level and follow them up to graduation noting there Attitude and Progress.
And you cant tell for sure which kid will be the "next great one" but you can tell which ones are controlling the play and demonstrating potential to possibly make it big in the next level.
Some kids that are in Grade school, now could probably compete on most High schools roster already, so why not meet them with a couple years left in school to polish them , or help them work on skills that they might lack, in-order to make him a better player and ultimately a contributing factor for the school?
Well, it also helps the student knowing he is being looked at before he even steps into the high school level, to know if you keep your grades and you work hard you have a future out there, and any young kid loves to dream big, It motivates them to work hard and persist, and hon there skills and education, so they have a chance to live a life many of us never get the chance to experience.
Cheezhead said 05/15, 04:57 PM
Look, you can't tell at all how big the potential of these kids are.
In grade school, they are STILL GROWING. Not only in height, but in ability. Everybody is still developing. If somebody looks amazing right now, he might just be ahead of the game. There could be plenty of kids still developing and growing that in a few years will be BETTER than that kid.
For example, an eigth-grader could have been red-shirted for athletics. He is a year ahead of the other kids in his grade. Right now he's averaging 25 points a game. Now universities are looking for commitments.
Now the kids in his grade have grown in height, body, and ability. They caught up to the recruited kid and can now play at his level. Now all of a sudden this All-American looks like he'll be sitting on the bench in college.
That shows why it isn't smart for universities to be recruiting this early.
The A-Wall Show said 05/15, 06:36 PM
Cheezhead ST: 100 Wins!!! said 05/15, 04:57 PM
"Look, you can't tell at all how big the potential of these kids are. "
thats nothing but a tad of speculation with a dash of opinion.
you have no idea what these colleges are looking for, a good organization plans for the future of the team, if you see a potential "Great Player" you want to be the first college to lock him up, you want to make him commit to your college but you also want to help him improve. Everything is beneficial for the college.
Ok you have a 8th Grader that is tearing up his league, why not lock him up. make sure if he is the "Real Deal" he is going to come play for your college. why wait until hes older when there are more competition from other colleges, get him early and help him improve, give this kid a future. get him motivated to work out.. get him motivated to get better grades.
And thats one example, but if this All-American was the real deal the college would have made a smart choice, its a game of chances . either you get the "Next one" or you don't. its still a smart move to lock the potential "Next One" up early so he has time to develop, and other colleges are not able to touch your future Star
Cheezhead said 05/15, 09:51 PM
"why not lock him up."
Well, it's because you have no clue of what will happen. Like I said, he could have developed faster and become a Ryan Leaf in high school.
Who wants that to happen to your university? If you wait longer, you can spend more time on recruits you need now. Also, waiting gives you a better picture of this kid's potential.
You don't want him to be a bust by going after him in 8th grade. That would be embarrassing to the university and ruin the reputation of the coach and recruiters.
Also, this kid might be saying "Yes" to the colleges because they are powerhouses or because of the coach. What if a team takes a nosedive or if a coach retires/resigns/is fired/goes to a different school? Again, it embarrasses the school and shows that this eigth-grade huntdown was a waste of time.
It is smart to be patient and wait.
The A-Wall Show said 05/16, 10:10 PM
Forfeited Turn
NFL Training Camps
Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.
© 2008 STATS LLC
Comments (14)
Good luck.
Cheezhead | 05/15/08, 04:40 PM
Report Offensive CommentThis is a good one.
Special Order Fridge | 05/15/08, 04:48 PM
Report Offensive Commentyou 2
The A-Wall Show | 05/15/08, 04:51 PM
Report Offensive CommentIts well worth the risk and A-Wall proved it in his arguement
NY - Jersey Shore | 05/15/08, 04:57 PM
Report Offensive Commentjust because one 12 year old has an early growth spurt doesn't mean he'll continue to be dominant.
Special Order Fridge | 05/15/08, 05:04 PM
Report Offensive Commentgive me a sec.. got a phone call
The A-Wall Show | 05/15/08, 05:13 PM
Report Offensive Commenti read this article last night. It is crazy not for the kids to accept, but for the school to offer
The Prodigy Cassidy is Roy | 05/15/08, 05:29 PM
Report Offensive CommentColleges compete not only for athletes but also for high academic achievers. Nothing wrong with recruiting early. If nothing else, it gives the kid bragging rights.
Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox | 05/15/08, 05:41 PM
Report Offensive Commentit gives the players a chance to develop too, and expect coaching and workout techniques, as well as motivation to keep there grades up
The A-Wall Show | 05/15/08, 06:46 PM
Report Offensive Commentexpert**
The A-Wall Show | 05/15/08, 06:46 PM
Report Offensive CommentI don't think it matters one way or the other, since those commitments are only verbal. I think one side can, and often does, back out.
Rodclo | 05/15/08, 09:38 PM
Report Offensive CommentIt has said Less that 5 Minutes left for a while.
Cheezhead | 05/16/08, 10:04 PM
Report Offensive Commentjust a grammer lesson
say haven't gone yet by saying didn't go it sounds like they DID NOT go
i know you meant that they hadn't gone......
A* shizzle* BS | 05/17/08, 12:20 AM
Report Offensive Commenti can only imagine the number of players implicated in taking money from boosters and teams if stuff like this continues...plus do YOU remember knowing what was best for you at the age of 13? Maybe you thought you did, but this just allows the parents to put more pressure on their child to perform
kruzkuntrol15 | 05/17/08, 02:09 AM
Report Offensive CommentAdd a comment
Remember to keep it clean. Bad words will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed. More Guidelines