Syracuse football recruiting director Eric White OK with lack of early 2015 commits

[anglerman]

It's time to really start worrying it's March and not a single commit. It's obvious this staff sucks and doesn't know how to recruit. It's not like they have over 11 months left in this recruiting cycle

 

[anglerman]

SU didn't bring in many offensive lineman because they actually didn't need them . They are more than 3 deep at every position.

 

[Chip]

I don't mind the PS getting ideas for articles from this site. As Phat says, they need to take it in the right direction and get the best info.

But this site is just a small portion of the SU fan base, and in my humble opinion represents some of the smartest fans we have (present company included), so it makes sense to get our topics out to the masses.

I don't want them to plug us here either, that just opens the door for the wack jobs to stop by in greater numbers.

 

[RMH44]

I disagree. The recruiting calendar has accelerated a great deal in the past 5 years alone. If you aren't making moves your falling behind. Not saying you need commits, but you need to be laying the ground work on targets you want cause you better believe the competition is.

Are you suggesting that this staff isn't "laying the ground work on targets"? Maybe they're lazy.

Just because they decided against a Jr Day and don't have a verbal in the commitment column (on March 1st, no less) certainly doesn't mean they're not working hard behind the scenes.

Texas is your classic example that early commits mean nothing. They usually have a dozen or more by June. Even lowly BC had a ton of early commits last year but still rated out in the 60's. Quality of the commit is far more important than numbers or what date they committed.

Do I hope we have 8-10 ten highly sought after or camp attendees commit by summer's end? Absolutely...but I'm certainly not going to stress over the lack of Jr Day or a verbals on March 1st. None of us...and I mean none of us have any idea what's going on in the coach's conference room or behind the scenes. So why sweat it?

Btw, if the NCAA institutes an early signing period I think that will force most schools into holding a Jr Day. Historically, Jr Days are held the day of the spring game which would be difficult for us because of anemic attendance. Maybe that's why you see various recruits attending practice sessions over the course of spring practice. Smaller numbers would allow the staff to be make the experience more personalized for each recruit.

 

[anomander]

Are you suggesting that this staff isn't "laying the ground work on targets"? Maybe they're lazy.

Just because they decided against a Jr Day and don't have a verbal in the commitment column (on March 1st, no less) certainly doesn't mean they're not working hard behind the scenes.

Texas is your classic example that early commits mean nothing. They usually have a dozen or more by June. Even lowly BC had a ton of early commits last year but still rated out in the 60's. Quality of the commit is far more important than numbers or what date they committed.

Do I hope we have 8-10 ten highly sought after or camp attendees commit by summer's end? Absolutely...but I'm certainly not going to stress over the lack of Jr Day or a verbals on March 1st. None of us...and I mean none of us have any idea what's going on in the coach's conference room or behind the scenes. So why sweat it?

Btw, if the NCAA institutes an early signing period I think that will force most schools into holding a Jr Day. Historically, Jr Days are held the day of the spring game which would be difficult for us because of anemic attendance. Maybe that's why you see various recruits attending practice sessions over the course of spring practice. Smaller numbers would allow the staff to be make the experience more personalized for each recruit.

First, to address my stress of the importance is Jr. Day's is mainly from a perception standpoint. Do you not agree we are still fighting a major perception battle? Honestly on a national stage I really think we are behind even BC in a perception standpoint. Whenever you have a chance to put your program out there you have to do it. Other then planning it really doesn't cost you anything, the recruits pay their way. I have to believe there are enough prospects with interest in NYS, and the 4-5 hour radius that would make it enough to be worthwhile. Prime example, RB Jonathan Forest from New Rochelle. He was just contacted by our staff last week. We want him to attend a camp to evaluate him for an offer. I have absolutely no problem with that. Only problem is that is in June. However he was at BC last weekend, is going to Maryland this weekend, and Rutgers the following. Who knows if he already isn't committed by then, and shuts things down? That goes into the other point about the accelerated calendar. Would you really feel comfortable coming out of the dead period, and needing 10 commits in the final 2 weeks to close out the class? I think it worked out pretty well for us this year, but we can't count on that every year. Luckily teams backed off Thomas and Dowels. Plus we still don't know for sure if Dowels will qualify, and one of the commits is already a non qualifier. You saw what happened when we missed on Rodney who we made a priority. Plus if your almost done with the class by then you have the opportunity to use one of our assets, the basketball team, as a way to attract some highly regarded prospects to a Jr Day that they may not have otherwise attended. Who knows once you get a kid on campus. Duke game would have been the perfect opportunity, but we were in scramble mode. That's what a few of our conference mates did the last weekend of the recruiting cycle...they had a Jr Day, which was their 1st of several. I like our staff as much as the next guy, but there is a reason all of these other programs have them.

 

[Marroniac]

one of the commits is already a non qualifier.

Really? Who are you referring to?

 

[anomander]

Really? Who are you referring to?

Prater

 

[CuseLegacy]

Prater

So how bad. Prep or JUCO?

 

[anomander]

So how bad. Prep or JUCO?

i really have no idea

 

[OrangeAl]

First, to address my stress of the importance is Jr. Day's is mainly from a perception standpoint. Do you not agree we are still fighting a major perception battle? Honestly on a national stage I really think we are behind even BC in a perception standpoint. Whenever you have a chance to put your program out there you have to do it. Other then planning it really doesn't cost you anything, the recruits pay their way. I have to believe there are enough prospects with interest in NYS, and the 4-5 hour radius that would make it enough to be worthwhile. Prime example, RB Jonathan Forest from New Rochelle. He was just contacted by our staff last week. We want him to attend a camp to evaluate him for an offer. I have absolutely no problem with that. Only problem is that is in June. However he was at BC last weekend, is going to Maryland this weekend, and Rutgers the following. Who knows if he already isn't committed by then, and shuts things down? That goes into the other point about the accelerated calendar. Would you really feel comfortable coming out of the dead period, and needing 10 commits in the final 2 weeks to close out the class? I think it worked out pretty well for us this year, but we can't count on that every year. Luckily teams backed off Thomas and Dowels. Plus we still don't know for sure if Dowels will qualify, and one of the commits is already a non qualifier. You saw what happened when we missed on Rodney who we made a priority. Plus if your almost done with the class by then you have the opportunity to use one of our assets, the basketball team, as a way to attract some highly regarded prospects to a Jr Day that they may not have otherwise attended. Who knows once you get a kid on campus. Duke game would have been the perfect opportunity, but we were in scramble mode. That's what a few of our conference mates did the last weekend of the recruiting cycle...they had a Jr Day, which was their 1st of several. I like our staff as much as the next guy, but there is a reason all of these other programs have them.

Ever thought of forwarding this to HCSS and Eric White? Maybe they've never considered these things.

 

[anomander]

Ever thought of forwarding this to HCSS and Eric White? Maybe they've never considered these things.

not saying they never considered these things. i am saying that is my opinion

 

[RMH44]

Ever thought of forwarding this to HCSS and Eric White? Maybe they've never considered these things.

I'm sure they've considered these things. The problems lie in the feasibility and logistical realms.

 

[Ozcuse]

I'm sure they've considered these things. The problems lie in the feasibility and logistical realms.

Why can every other team make it happen but we can't?

Too many excuses, not enough make it happen.

 

[anomander]

I'm sure they've considered these things. The problems lie in the feasibility and logistical realms.

I definitely agree that is the main issue they are dealing with.

 

[javadoc]

Why can every other team make it happen but we can't?

Too many excuses, not enough make it happen.

Or not enough "want to and choose to support making it happen".

 

[orangesox44]

How bout we wait until we're 4-0 heading into that florida state game, show the nation how far we've really come. Nobody believes, but I'm pretty drunk on that orange kool aid and know that FINALLY we have a schedule that allows us to pick up some early momentum. That's when we need to pick up a nice early "big time" recruit commitment. Sell that damn dome out!

 

[RMH44]

I definitely agree that is the main issue they are dealing with.

I honestly believe that we'll see another attempt at a Jr Day when the IPF is complete. The first objective of any Jr Day is to give HS football players exposure to a school's facilities and staff.

I was surprised to read that, by rule, Jr Days must to be open to the public. You can target certain players with invites and work with HS coaches to get the word out but it must be open to everyone.

 

[SmilinBob]

SU basketball is a selector...SU football is blue collar and has to work his butt off (not that the SU hoops staff does not). Would I like more kids to sign early, yes but the end game is who you get on signing day. Selector schools say these spots are filling up fast and SU football is not close to that and may not ever be. This staff is doing a fantastic job of recruiting and I expect it to continually improve but not move at some hyper-recruitment phase.

 

[bnoro]

It's so easy to get a bunch of low income kids to pay over $1k to travel to upstate NY.

 

[Ozcuse]

It's so easy to get a bunch of low income kids to pay over $1k to travel to upstate NY.

I'll say it again. How does EVERY OTHER TEAM do it? Are we recruiting kids or face challenges that no other team has that make it incapable of having the event?

Nope. Just a lot of excuse making.

 

[bnoro]

I'll say it again. How does EVERY OTHER TEAM do it? Are we recruiting kids or face challenges that no other team has that make it incapable of having the event?

Nope. Just a lot of excuse making.

It's incredibly cheaper to fly direct to Logan Airport in Boston from anywhere else on the east coast than to fly to Hancock. Same with flying to Newark.