Miscellaneous Athletic Recruiting Ramblings - 7/19/2008

For those enjoying a few weeks away from the ramblings, I decided now would be a great time to bring them back!  I hope that all the readers out there agree with this.  Anyways, it has been an extremely busy last few weeks.  I still feel there has been some great recruiting articles over the last few weeks that can really help readers.  So with that in mind, we are starting with some links to make sure those visiting the site had a chance to see the best of the best:

Top Athletic Recruiting Articles
How much do college coaches factor in the record of my team during the athletic recruiting process?
Three things that Arizona head coach Lute Olson looks for in a basketball recruit
I’m a senior with football recruiting interest but no scholarship offers. What do I do?
Athletic Scholarships are only good for one year
Evaluation period, dead period, quiet period, and contact period: What are they and how do they effect the recruiting process?
Summer Football Camps used as a confirmation for recruiting
If I haven’t gotten any recruiting calls from college coaches, what should I do?
When can Division III schools recruit me for athletics?
Basketball Recruiting: AAU vs. High School
Parents, interviews, and the athletic recruiting process
The importance of your ACT/SAT score in athletic recruiting

How young is too young in basketball recruiting?
I have talked about it before how college coaches continue to offer scholarships to basketball prospects who have yet to attend their first day of high school.  Apparently Baylor feels that offering those going into high school is too old.  They stepped up this past week and extended a scholarship to Alex Foster.  This 6-foot-6 athlete is going to be special.  But the difference with Foster is that he just completed his 7th grade year!  This Illinois prospect is going to receive many more offers when everything is said and done but an offer that early is simply amazing.  Do you think it is right to go that young to offer?

Piling up recruits
If you are looking for another reason why there should be an early signing period for college football, look no further than the recruiting classes of Texas (As always), Auburn, and Ohio State.  These top programs are bringing in a number of commitments and most are nearly done with recruiting the Class of 2009.  The problem is that while the recruits have committed, the coaches will need to baby sit the athletes to make sure that they will be signing their National Letter of Intent with the school.  While the coaches would love to look towards 2010, the powers in the SEC, Big 12, and Big 10 will continue recruiting these committed players.  Don’t be surprised when one changes their decision.

AAU season nearly over
For the basketball players out there, the AAU season is the most important thing that you can excel at.  I have seen so many players average single digits during the high school year and ended up with multiple Division I offers because they shined in front of college coaches.  While the AAU circuit is nearing an end, this is a vital time for those athletes to play well.  If there is a time to suck up an injury and play through it, now is the time!

SEC coaches split on recruits
Going back to the age issue in college basketball, it sounds as if the National Basketball Coaches Association is trying to change things.  “Last month, the NABC officially requested that coaches not offer scholarships to - or accept verbal commitments from - high school prospects until June 15 following the player’s sophomore year. At that time, Gillispie said he’d follow that request and expect his fellow coaches to “definitely support and abide by” the suggestion.“  My guess is that never happens, especially if you think a player is good enough at your level.  And if it helps Kentucky win games, other schools will do it as well.  Click here for the full article.