I have been thinking about the changing face of Division 1 recruiting in our region of the country.
Here a re couple of thoughts and I would love some feedback and other opinions.
1. Why would a legit player, one who could go wherever they wanted and become a starter, choose NC State over UNC right now? UNC seems to be moving forward while NC State seems stagnant. Yes I know that recently (not this year) State has won the rivalry game. Carolina is in the National picture and NC State is not close.
2. Why would a legit player (same as above) choose South Carolina over Clemson right now? With Spurrier at the helm I could see it. SC went and hired a failed SEC coach who was fired to coach their team in the same SEC East from which he was fired?? How does that make sense to anyone? Clemson on the other hand is in the National spotlight and there is no sign of that changing anytime soon.
3. Wake Forest and Duke. Both have great academics and long term prestige in the real world. However, in the same scenario why would a player choose either of these two over Carolina, Clemson or I would even argue Appalachian from a purely football standpoint. Granted both have had decent years and Cutcliffe has over-achieved and did Groh for a few years at WF. But neither can sustain it.
4. If you had to choose between App St. and ECU right now, which would be the better choice? Put aside being close to the beach for ECU. They have a nice tradition in ENC but recently fired a former alum who had done an admirable job to hire and unproven assistant coach from a mediocre program. On the other hand, App St. has quickly risen to high level in D1 under a coach who was instrumental in their 3 National titles and seems to have a real plan in mind.........No brainier here, App over ECU for long term success and opportunity.
I am not hating on any of these schools, just looking at the big picture from a recruits perspective. Of course some will choose School A over School B because they think they could start at A but no B. Remember I am talking about all things being equal and they could start no matter where they go.
Here a re couple of thoughts and I would love some feedback and other opinions.
1. Why would a legit player, one who could go wherever they wanted and become a starter, choose NC State over UNC right now? UNC seems to be moving forward while NC State seems stagnant. Yes I know that recently (not this year) State has won the rivalry game. Carolina is in the National picture and NC State is not close.
2. Why would a legit player (same as above) choose South Carolina over Clemson right now? With Spurrier at the helm I could see it. SC went and hired a failed SEC coach who was fired to coach their team in the same SEC East from which he was fired?? How does that make sense to anyone? Clemson on the other hand is in the National spotlight and there is no sign of that changing anytime soon.
3. Wake Forest and Duke. Both have great academics and long term prestige in the real world. However, in the same scenario why would a player choose either of these two over Carolina, Clemson or I would even argue Appalachian from a purely football standpoint. Granted both have had decent years and Cutcliffe has over-achieved and did Groh for a few years at WF. But neither can sustain it.
4. If you had to choose between App St. and ECU right now, which would be the better choice? Put aside being close to the beach for ECU. They have a nice tradition in ENC but recently fired a former alum who had done an admirable job to hire and unproven assistant coach from a mediocre program. On the other hand, App St. has quickly risen to high level in D1 under a coach who was instrumental in their 3 National titles and seems to have a real plan in mind.........No brainier here, App over ECU for long term success and opportunity.
I am not hating on any of these schools, just looking at the big picture from a recruits perspective. Of course some will choose School A over School B because they think they could start at A but no B. Remember I am talking about all things being equal and they could start no matter where they go.
