Recruiting Solely For Rapport?

[Cornerback6]

I'm not the expert here, but I'm sure that 99% of our recruiting efforts are directed towards athletes who we would at some point like to commit to us or have the possibility of earning an offer to potentially become Buckeyes. That being said, I sometimes wonder (especially with the bigger in-state schools) if we do a bit of light recruiting of some less-talented players just to build a better rapport with whichever powerhouse high school might have that particular athlete.

Maybe I'm not presenting the idea clear enough or coming across wrong, but I could definitely see this happening (practically all through mail, not visits). Maybe some of the mods or admins on here could give a bit more insight on the issue, but I was just curious.

If you think about it, it makes sense. In fact, I would bet a good bit that all elite schools do this to put their names in as many hats as possible. Just wondering how much of this actually goes on. Maybe an impossible quandry to squash, just curiosity. Any thoughts?

[OSUBucks22]

Originally Posted by Cornerback6

I'm not the expert here, but I'm sure that 99% of our recruiting efforts are directed towards athletes who we would at some point like to commit to us or have the possibility of earning an offer to potentially become Buckeyes. That being said, I sometimes wonder (especially with the bigger in-state schools) if we do a bit of light recruiting of some less-talented players just to build a better rapport with whichever powerhouse high school might have that particular athlete.

Maybe I'm not presenting the idea clear enough or coming across wrong, but I could definitely see this happening (practically all through mail, not visits). Maybe some of the mods or admins on here could give a bit more insight on the issue, but I was just curious.

If you think about it, it makes sense. In fact, I would bet a good bit that all elite schools do this to put their names in as many hats as possible. Just wondering how much of this actually goes on. Maybe an impossible quandry to squash, just curiosity. Any thoughts?

Look at Cincy as an example of this... Cooper paid little to no attention to the area and JT had to really build relationships back up down there... There is definitely an element in recruiting that dictates keeping good relationships... Coaches know that it could be only a year away that that school will have a kid that they might want... So it's important to keep good relationships no doubt...

[osugrad21]

Absolutely true. Coaches are assigned regions...it is good business to make contacts in the area for future recruiting purposes. For instance, when tOSU came to SC to visit Aram Olson, the coaches also made appearances at numerous other high schools for future prospects...Conway (Junior Hemingway), Summerville (A.J. Green), etc...

The mail that is sent out by football programs is staggering...when the letters become personalized or handwritten, that is when you know you are a real prospect. However, there are schools that send out stats or quotes daily...it piles up quickly.

[wadc45]

What amazes me is how when a kid claims to have grown up liking OSU, everyone wants an offer out to him the next day. MarQueis Gray is a perfect example...the moment the update came out about him being a Buckeye fan growing up people on Scout were talking about not waiting around for Pryor because he wasn't a "JT-type recruit" (i.e. did not want to commit early) and offering Gray because they assumed he would accept on the spot. Just because a kid like OSU does mean he is worthy of an offer and just because we offer a kid who grew up liking OSU does not mean he will accept on the spot...people have to be naive to think that there isn't a little more that goes into what is up until this point probably the biggest decision of these kid's lives.

[Cornerback6]

Great response so far. Thanks gents.

[stxbuck]

I would say yes, and no, in regards to your question. To whit-

1-Tressel and Co. have made a much greater effort to "keep in touch" w/ Ohio coaches tahn Cooper did-stopping in at schools, speaking at banquets, inviting them to work at camps,etc. That said, this attention is primarily coach centered-if a kid comes along the HS staff will give a favorable vibe- a very important thing when recruiting from talent pools like GCL schools,Colerain,Glenville,GlenOak,etc.

2-That said, if a kid is getting tickets to tOSU games and visits from the staff-the staff is seriously thinking about extending an offer, even if an offer is not ultimately extended. Also, the staff will sometimes let lesser prospects tag along for game visits if they are friends/teammates w/ an elite offered prospect from the same school. The staff is not going to yank the chain of a kid who is MAC caliber athlete just to stay in "contact" w/ a program. Some programs produce an OSU caliber athlete virtually every year or every other year-Glenville,St. Eds, Lakota-West, some every 5-10 years-Upper Arlington, Lancaster,Alter, Centerville,others are a once in a generation thing-Bellbrook, Coldwater, other small/rural schools

[stowfan]

Just my own feeling, but I think Ginn Sr. has had a bone thrown to him every so often. The lineman Browning is a guy I think JT took to keep TG1 happy. IMHO JT is first in line at Glenville and he is making sure it stays that way.