The athletic recruiting process can get ugly

One of the main reasons that many feel the recruiting process is out of control is the fans that cover them. These normally are people who are raised following a certain team. When watching games, these fans will get mad at players they praised the previous game and be disappointed in the play of a 21 year old who is only getting a scholarship that pays for his education.

When these same fans fanatically follow the recruiting process, things can get out of control. Many of these die hard fans do not understand why an athlete would not choose “their school.” Basically every Division I program has fans like this as they are the ones that buy tickets, school gear, and anything else to help support the athletic program.

One of the most important things for a coach and even their fans is to keep the home grown talent in state for the college level. Every school wants to protect its borders, even if it is Florida, Texas, California, or a larger state. The smaller states wants to do the same as well.

The recruiting process of Eden Prairie (Minnesota) defensive end Willie Mobley was one that got ugly and they talked about it. I have met Mobley before and he seems like a very well thought young man. Despite growing up in Minnesota, Mobley decided to pledge a commitment to Ohio State. Yes, the Buckeyes are in the same conference the Gophers but they have also played in the last two national title games. While Minnesota is turning things around, would you rather be on a 1-11 team or one that has been in the last two championship contests?

Mobley ended up getting a number of scholarships and took the one offered by Ohio State. Because there are some crazed Minnesota fans who didn’t understand his decision, they tried to sway him. Here is what happened.

Along the way Mobley even received a bogus letter allegedly signed by Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. The letter, dated Jan. 8, advised Mobley that his “football future would be best suited elsewhere.”

Locally, rumors circulated on Web sites and blogs that the 6-foot-3, 265-pound Mobley was rethinking his oral commitment to Ohio State and was planning to sign with the Gophers. Mobley, who chose Ohio State over the Gophers, UCLA and Tennessee, said he never wavered on his December decision to attend Ohio State, runner-up in the national championship game the past two seasons.

But the rumors continued, including one in January that claimed Mobley and Gophers football coach Tim Brewster had dinner at a restaurant the same night Gophers men’s basketball coach Tubby Smith was doing his weekly radio show there.
“That was the wildest one of all,” Mobley said. “I was never there.”

Mobley’s mother, Roxanne, said Tressel assured her the letter was not written by him nor any member of his staff. She displayed it at Wednesday’s signing.

Roxanne said she became suspicious because the letter, which was on Ohio State letterhead and postmarked Columbus, Ohio, read: “I know Minnesota has not had the greatest season, but in three years you would be eligible for the NFL. … If you come to Ohio State, you will be sitting behind upperclassmen for at least two years anyway, and then you never know.”

“Coach Tressel was upset about it,” Roxanne said. “I’ve known him long enough to know he wouldn’t do something like that, and I know his signature. I’m so glad this recruiting stuff is over.”

The first thing that I have to ask is what kind of person makes Ohio State letterhead to send a fake letter that only an idiot would believe? Like Kevin Hart, these are the people that give the recruiting process a bad name. It is disappointing that the Gophers did not land him. But instead of sending negative letters to him that were postmarked in Columbus, why not donate money to your school and rout on your team in a responsible way?

It is amazing that the people that probably did this are adults. I am sure there are a ton of other situations similar at bigger schools. Minnesota has not exactly been a powerhouse on the football field. Think of what schools in the SEC do? There is no more rabid of a fan than some of the SEC schools like Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, and many others. My guess is that they take it to another level and make it much worse.

Anyways, as a recruit, you have to do what is best for you. You cannot let your high school coach, your family, your friends, or the public decide where you want to play college football. The first thing you need to do is put yourself in the best situation in receiving a degree. That will last your entire life if you do that. After that, look into what football program fits you the best and may, if you work hard enough, get you to the next level.

You cannot let the pressure of the community pull you towards a school. It is your decision that you will have to live with the rest of your life. Even if you get negative feedback, be confident in your decision and know you made the best choice for you.