Overall thoughts on Signing Day 2009

Over the last ten years, websites like Rivals.com and Scout.com have done an excellent job of putting prep athletes into the spot light throughout the recruiting process for football as well as other sports.  Before these sites were created, fans of college programs were forced to rely on newsletters, random articles in newspaper, and just wait until the schools announced their official class on Signing Day.

Things have changed a great deal over the last few years and a big part of that is due to the success of Scout and Rivals.  When these sites first came up, it was only the “recruiting junkies” that were interested in the athletes that their favorite schools have signed.  But with that popularity, other sites and television networks have run with it and are making the decisions of 18-year olds even more vital in the world.

For those that had a chance to see the US Army All American game, it is obvious that many of these athletes love the spotlight.  These players will hold out until that game to make a final college decision public (in many cases, they give a silent commitment to the school that they will be choosing in the end).  This decision making process for athletes has also carried over to ESPN where I believe they are currently having coverage of Signing Day.

But my question is should Signing Day get that much attention?  The talent a school like Florida could be a key to their team in three years in hopes of adding another National Title to their resume.  But at the same time, being a five-star recruit with the cameras all over you and the media wanting to speak with you adds a great deal of pressure on you during your time at the school.  Fans who have followed you for the last two years are expecting you to come in right away and play.  If you get hurt and it sets back your transition to college, it is even tougher.

And with all Internet message boards, fans at all schools will be ruthless.  It is really sad when this happens simply because the people know that they can hide behind the anonymous Internet.  Yes, there are ways to track them if the fans post some really bad but the fans are not afraid to love you the minute you sign and despite you a year later because you haven’t been able to crack the two-deeps.

In my opinion, I truly believe that Signing Day and holding a huge press conference to make your decision is too much.  Does an athlete really need that much attention?  One of the best ways an athlete ended the recruiting process was a few years back (he was rated as a four-star linebacker).  This athlete was extremely low key and didn’t like all the limelight.  He told the media members who were following him that he would make a decision on the following Saturday.  What the athlete did was email all the media people at 1 AM that morning and tell them that he was going to State University.  He didn’t hold a huge press conference or answer questions.  This kid is very talented and he just wanted to avoid the pressure that something like that would create.

Then again, you will only be going through the recruiting process once so you might as well enjoy.  It is just something to think about.  As an 18-year old, the attention is great but do you really need to hold a press conference?  My feeling is that the best commitment is from an athlete who commits to a coach by calling them and follows up by contacting media members that have been covering them.  If you do that, the word gets out but there is not all the lights and cameras needed.

The other thing that also scares me about all of the Signing Day publicity is the fact that it could create another Kevin Hart situation.  For those that don’t recall, this is a lineman who lied about his recruiting attention and held a press conference picking a school he was not being recruited by.  That was not exactly a pretty picture, but at least he will be someone many won’t forget anytime soon.

Recruiting-101 has written a 51-page E-Book that helps parents throughout the journey of the recruiting process. This includes an example recruiting profile, a step-by-step time line, and much more. It is currently available for sale for only $10.00.  Find out more about purchasing the e-book and what else is included by clicking here now!

Recruiting-101 has put together a 25-page e-book on how to Produce a Scholarship Worthy Highlight Video.  It breaks down the overall process of creating a Highlight Video and gives step by step instructions for football and basketball recruits.  Click here to learn more about the e-book now, which is currently on sale for only $7.50!

For position by position help throughout the football recruiting process, Recruiting-101 has put together a 28-page guide to help athletes get a better feel for what college coaches are looking for at each spot.  Click here to learn more about the e-book now, which is currently on sale for only $5.00!