Zips recruiting

[PB1719]

Ok, so JD has the offense clicking, and the defense is getting much better, but gameday is only half of being a coach. So, how confident does everyone feel about the last few recruiting classes, and the prospects for this year?

[Blue & Gold]

I hesitate to respond to a question about recruiting because there are so many on this board who are much more knowledgeable than I and who seem to always have inside information that I am totally oblivious to. But, having said that, I'm not real excited about our recruiting efforts this year. Rivals.com is really my only source of information, besides Rasor's blog. We only have signed 3 players thus far, and two are pretty small guys 5-9 & 5-10 WR's. Here is the link to the Rivals site:http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/commi...100&Sport=1However, we have recently gotten so many top caliber players via JUCO and transfer that I'm actually a little more interested if JD has any more of those up his sleave rather than following the high school recruiting so much. We'll see; it's still early in the process. Honestly though, I thought our beautiful new stadium would make recruiting take off seemingly more than it has. Perhaps the recruits have to see the stadium rather than pictures and a hole in the ground?Also, I really do like our last few recruiting classes. I think JD definitely has this program heading in the right direction. I've never seen so much talent on a Zips roster as I currently see. It's quite impressive.

[zipboy]

Last year seemed slow as well and finished strong. That has been the program's hallmark the last few years. 7-5 and a bowl game will help a lot as well. I think JD has figured it out now, strong retention and solid players. I look for a top 4 class this year in the MAC when all is said and done.

[Buckzip]

Recruiting for mid majors is usually slower at first. Guys are hoping for offers from the big schools and then the nidmajors tend to get the leftovers. I don't mean that as a slight, but it is the truth. Sure, there are a few guys that may dream of playing for a MAC school, but most of them would rather play for a BCS school. Also, some will look at depth charts and decide they would rather play at a MAC school than ride the pine at a bigger school.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Also - the Zips have only 17 total scholarships to offer for 2009. We're being very selective.I'll try and get some recruiting scoops shortly.

[Zipmeister]

Also - the Zips have only 17 total scholarships to offer for 2009. We're being very selective.I'll try and get some recruiting scoops shortly.

Looking at the three verbals we have so far apparently one of the important criteria is shortness. Don't get me wrong. I think short people deserve to play football too, and if the MAC converts to an "under 6 feet" league (like intramural basketball) we have a real leg up on the competition.

[Gump1947]

I hesitate to respond to a question about recruiting because there are so many on this board who are much more knowledgeable than I and who seem to always have inside information that I am totally oblivious to. But, having said that, I'm not real excited about our recruiting efforts this year. Rivals.com is really my only source of information, besides Rasor's blog. We only have signed 3 players thus far, and two are pretty small guys 5-9 & 5-10 WR's. Here is the link to the Rivals site:http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/commi...100&Sport=1However, we have recently gotten so many top caliber players via JUCO and transfer that I'm actually a little more interested if JD has any more of those up his sleave rather than following the high school recruiting so much. We'll see; it's still early in the process. Honestly though, I thought our beautiful new stadium would make recruiting take off seemingly more than it has. Perhaps the recruits have to see the stadium rather than pictures and a hole in the ground?Also, I really do like our last few recruiting classes. I think JD definitely has this program heading in the right direction. I've never seen so much talent on a Zips roster as I currently see. It's quite impressive.

Remember, no one has "signed" yet, nothing is certain until signing day in February (and things can change after that, such as kids not qualifying academically, getting into legal trouble, etc.). Don't get too hung up on "multi-star" players. Rivals.com, Scout.com, and others are businesses that feed into fan recruiting mania. You can be a great player, but if you don't go to their camps, you may get ignored. There are plenty of "no star" players that would help most any team, but for one reason or another aren't ranked by them. For example, in my state (I don't live in Ohio) the best running back wasn't even ranked in the Rivals.com "stars" list. Why? He didn't go to their camp. At some point you have to trust the coaching staff. From what I have seen MAC coaches work harder than BCS coaches at recruiting because they have to. Fans can help alert coaches to potential talent, especially fans who live outside the normal recruiting area.

[Blue & Gold]

I hesitate to respond to a question about recruiting because there are so many on this board who are much more knowledgeable than I and who seem to always have inside information that I am totally oblivious to. But, having said that, I'm not real excited about our recruiting efforts this year. Rivals.com is really my only source of information, besides Rasor's blog. We only have signed 3 players thus far, and two are pretty small guys 5-9 & 5-10 WR's. Here is the link to the Rivals site:http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/commi...100&Sport=1However, we have recently gotten so many top caliber players via JUCO and transfer that I'm actually a little more interested if JD has any more of those up his sleave rather than following the high school recruiting so much. We'll see; it's still early in the process. Honestly though, I thought our beautiful new stadium would make recruiting take off seemingly more than it has. Perhaps the recruits have to see the stadium rather than pictures and a hole in the ground?Also, I really do like our last few recruiting classes. I think JD definitely has this program heading in the right direction. I've never seen so much talent on a Zips roster as I currently see. It's quite impressive.

Remember, no one has "signed" yet, nothing is certain until signing day in February (and things can change after that, such as kids not qualifying academically, getting into legal trouble, etc.). Don't get too hung up on "multi-star" players. Rivals.com, Scout.com, and others are businesses that feed into fan recruiting mania. You can be a great player, but if you don't go to their camps, you may get ignored. There are plenty of "no star" players that would help most any team, but for one reason or another aren't ranked by them. For example, in my state (I don't live in Ohio) the best running back wasn't even ranked in the Rivals.com "stars" list. Why? He didn't go to their camp. At some point you have to trust the coaching staff. From what I have seen MAC coaches work harder than BCS coaches at recruiting because they have to. Fans can help alert coaches to potential talent, especially fans who live outside the normal recruiting area.

Nice info! Thanks for the lowdown!

[Buckzip]

Also - the Zips have only 17 total scholarships to offer for 2009. We're being very selective.I'll try and get some recruiting scoops shortly.

Looking at the three verbals we have so far apparently one of the important criteria is shortness. Don't get me wrong. I think short people deserve to play football too, and if the MAC converts to an "under 6 feet" league (like intramural basketball) we have a real leg up on the competition.

LOL

[Captain Kangaroo]

FWIW - Ball State's top two receivers this year are 6'0" Briggs Orsbon and 5' 10" Dante Love. They have some big guys too...but watching the BSU/UA game I recall those "bigs" dropping a lot of balls.There's usually a reason a 6' 5" WR ends up at a MAC school. He either has frying pans for hands, grew 4" in his senior year or was injured his senior year. Or smoked too much weed.

[Blue & Gold]

FWIW - Ball State's top two receivers this year are 6'0" Briggs Orsbon and 5' 10" Dante Love. They have some big guys too...but watching the BSU/UA game I recall those "bigs" dropping a lot of balls.There's usually a reason a 6' 5" WR ends up at a MAC school. He either has frying pans for hands, grew 4" in his senior year or was injured his senior year. Or smoked too much weed.

True! And, now that I think about it, with a spread offense aren't quicker players generally a better fit for the spread scheme than a slower, less shifty 6'5" receiver anyhow?

[zipboy]

On Zips Live Thursday JD said that he just got a couple more verbals. He also said that he holds back a lot of offers until January, wants to see how things shake out and that has worked well in the past.

[Zipmeister]

FWIW - Ball State's top two receivers this year are 6'0" Briggs Orsbon and 5' 10" Dante Love. They have some big guys too...but watching the BSU/UA game I recall those "bigs" dropping a lot of balls.There's usually a reason a 6' 5" WR ends up at a MAC school. He either has frying pans for hands, grew 4" in his senior year or was injured his senior year. Or smoked too much weed.

True! And, now that I think about it, with a spread offense aren't quicker players generally a better fit for the spread scheme than a slower, less shifty 6'5" receiver anyhow?

As long as we are putting lipstick on the pig, please explain to the rest of the class why you would rather date the bearded lady from the circus instead of the Playboy centerfold.

[Captain Kangaroo]

FWIW - Ball State's top two receivers this year are 6'0" Briggs Orsbon and 5' 10" Dante Love. They have some big guys too...but watching the BSU/UA game I recall those "bigs" dropping a lot of balls.There's usually a reason a 6' 5" WR ends up at a MAC school. He either has frying pans for hands, grew 4" in his senior year or was injured his senior year. Or smoked too much weed.

True! And, now that I think about it, with a spread offense aren't quicker players generally a better fit for the spread scheme than a slower, less shifty 6'5" receiver anyhow?

As long as we are putting lipstick on the pig, please explain to the rest of the class why you would rather date the bearded lady from the circus instead of the Playboy centerfold.

You can't rate a MAC school's recruiting class on November 1st. We'll be fine when the first Tuesday in February '09 rolls around.