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Verbals not always what they seem

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Posted: Wednesday September 29, 1999 11:51 PM

Mid-Atlantic | Midlands | Midwest
Northeast | Southeast | Southwest | Far West

In future weeks you will be reading in this column about oral commitments made by youngsters to colleges. So just what is an oral commitment?

It's a recruit's promise to a college coach that the youngster will sign a letter-of-intent with the school to play his sport.

All oral commitments are breakable, non-binding promises, and therein lies one of the most egregious, inherent difficulties in the recruiting process. While the vast majority of recruits don't decommit, SuperPrep published at least 70 such instances last year, enough to raise a real concern.

For example, what if the student-athlete is still taking unofficial, or even official (paid for by the university), visits to other schools? He may be receiving calls from other coaches every week and encouraging them to keep in touch.

Some college coaches won't consider these youngsters committed because they haven't cut off contact with other schools. The majority of coaches, however, accept commitments knowing full well that their prospects are still flirting with the competition.

In this respect, the recruits are really controlling the process, and schools can find themselves at a severe disadvantage when they lose what they consider a "committed recruit" at the last second with no time to change course.

Many recruits are publicly committed but don't want their recruiting experience to end. They want to continue to take the recruiting trips, which they feel they have earned the right to do. Most schools will gladly pay for these prospects to visit in hopes of changing their minds.

Some recruits are 100-percent committed, but it's all a secret. This recruit is generally a safe bet to stick with his commitment, but he doesn't acknowledge his commitment publicly because he wants to remain in the spotlight until he can make an announcement on his own terms. He is certainly wasting the recruiting efforts of uninformed coaches and probably diverting them from other prospects those coaches could realistically sign.

Other recruits commit several times. These serial committers usually commit to each school they officially visit. Sometimes they tell all the schools what is happening; sometimes they don't.

The colleges are all left hanging, wondering who is going to get the signature right up until the end. They all wind up sending Letter-of-Intent forms, then wait by the athletic office fax machines to find out who won the battle on signing day. Sometimes, the fax doesn't even tell the truth.

In one humorous, fateful case in 1996, fullback Durell Price of Sylmar, Calif., went to a store and faxed his Letter-of-Intent to Ohio State. But the store clerk mistakenly faxed the document upside down.

An Ohio State coach called Price and told him to re-send the fax correctly. Since Price had been struggling with his commitment to the Buckeyes all along, and UCLA was nearby with open arms, Price, whose daughter would be living in California, took the clerk's mistake as a sign from God and instead signed with the Bruins.

Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com

Mid-Atlantic

German favors the Bears big over WISCONSIN (already visited with teammate/OL Kwame Harris; "I like the area, the players and the coaches," said German. "It's a good place that's not too big."), NORTHWESTERN, DUKE and NORTH CAROLINA.

Said German, "I've always wanted to see CAL and the West Coast even before they offered about two weeks ago. I really like [White.] He's an inspirational person. I'm excited about the coaches and school in general, and I'm interested in the liberal, different environment. I plan to officially visit their campus on Dec. 10." TEMPLE and DELAWARE are German's only other offers.

Chris Kelley (6-2, 200, 4.6) from Germantown Seneca Valley, Md., is an effective option QB who is tough enough to play LB. In three games this year he had passed for 401 yards and thrown for five TDs, while rushing for another seven and gaining 326 yards on the ground. Last year Kelley led Seneca Valley to a second straight Class 4A state title.

Kelley, who prefers QB, favors SOUTH CAROLINA ("I'd fit in with their offense and they really need a QB," said Kelley. "I'd be great for [Lou] Holtz as an option QB. I wouldn't mind redshirting for a year.") slightly over FLORIDA (likes Steve Spurrier's reputation and winning ability --"They produce great QBs every year."), GEORGIA TECH, MARYLAND, ALABAMA and MIAMI.

"MICHIGAN dropped me," said Kelley.

Midlands

Shelby rushed for 1,237 yards last year on one of the premier teams in the state. In three games this year Brandon rushed for 450 yards and seven TDs on 51 carries.

"He's a complete player," Severino said. "He catches the ball so well coming out of the backfield. College coaches love that. The colleges don't know yet if he'll play offense or defense."

Shelby favors MISSOURI (would play DB; 12/17 official visit; thinks he can play early) slightly over OKLAHOMA (DB; 12/3; "I like [position] coach Mark Mangino," said Shelby. "He has a similar coaching style to my high school coach. Plus my high school sends athletes to OU."), COLORADO and KANSAS ST.

Quarterback Craig Ochs (6-3, 200, 4.55) from Boulder (Colo.) Fairview has been putting up big numbers for a while now. He threw for 2,100 yards and nine TDs as a sophomore. This season through three games he completed 27-of-29 for 636 yards and four scores.

"What I'm looking for is a balanced offense," said Ochs. "I'd like to go somewhere where they throw it 30 to 35 times a game."

Craig denies he's a lock for hometown COLORADO. He says there is a three-way tie for the lead.

ARIZONA ("The coaches are quality people and have been terrific in recruiting me," said Ochs. "Their offense is good for versatile QBs. They like my ability to throw on the run."), COLORADO (two minutes from home; childhood favorite; sister graduated in '97 and parents are alums) and WASHINGTON ("Coach [Rick] Neuheisel has done good things for QBs. He is good to them. I like that they throw a lot.") lead big over KANSAS ST. and GEORGIA.

Ochs has unofficially visited all his favorites and plans December official trips to ARIZ, CU and UW.

Midwest

"MICHIGAN is not recruiting me hard anymore, so they aren't in my top five anymore," said Herron. "I definitely expect to officially visit both IOWA and WISCONSIN, my top two choices at this time.

"I like the straightforward coaches at Iowa and that the campus is spread-out. It's not in a city. They play big-time football, and I prefer the Big Ten to the other conferences. But I was born in Wisconsin and lived there four years. Their backs are 'featured players' there and I like that."

Herron is also considering NEBRASKA ("They are the best program in the country. After they watch me more on tape, they should know whether to offer me. They are the only one of my favorites which haven't offered me yet."), MICHIGAN ST. (attended camp; campus is just over an hour from home), VIRGINIA and INDIANA.

Detroit Cass Tech is home to SS/WR Roderick Maples (6-0, 175, 4.5). Through three games Roderick had four interceptions, returning two for scores. He also returned a punt for a score and caught a touchdown pass.

A starter since he was a freshman, Maples caught 15 passes for 689 yards as a junior, averaging a spectacular 45 yards per catch. He scored 12 times -- seven on receptions, three on kickoff returns and two others on interceptions.

He favors MICHIGAN (would play SS; 45 minutes from home; has already officially visited; childhood and parental preference) solid over MICHIGAN ST. (WR; one hour away; "I thought the players' life seemed great there but they don't seem as interested in me as before," he said.), INDIANA ("They need receivers to step up."), MINNESOTA and KANSAS.

Northeast

In three games, Jeremy has seven catches for 84 yards and one score.

He favors SYRACUSE (12/3 official visit; likes living arrangements for players, running game and bowl appearances) slightly over NORTH CAROLINA (Dec. official visit), SOUTH CAROLINA ("Lou Holtz is legendary and they have loyal fan support," said Jeremy.), WEST VIRGINIA and RUTGERS (12/10 official visit).

Jerron Smith (6-2, 217, 4.65) from Overbrook, N.J., was in on 110 tackles and had three picks last year, plus two sacks and 10 tackles in his first game this season.

Former teammate Byron Brown is a WISCONSIN wide receiver, and Jerron favors the Badgers (12/1 official visit; likes environment; "They told me I am their No. 1 linebacker prospect and that I would have a chance to play as a freshman," said Smith.) big over BOSTON COLLEGE (The Eagles' No. 1 LB prospect, per Jerron; "Two inside linebackers are leaving and they need linebackers with speed and running ability."), AUBURN, DUKE and TENNESSEE ("They have dropped a little recently because they aren't recruiting me as hard.").

"I want to play up north because it is easier to play in the cooler climate," said Smith. "NEBRASKA is my dad's favorite and they were in my top five, but they have stopped recruiting me."

Southeast

He's a very strong kid who bench presses 315 pounds. Said one recruiting coordinator, "He could easily be a tight end if QB doesn't work out."

Clark favors MIAMI over NOTRE DAME, GEORGIA, VIRGINIA and KENTUCKY.

Said Clark, "The MIAMI program is on the rise and they just recruited a couple of good receivers. MIAMI has a small edge because they are closer to home and their program is doing a little better than NOTRE DAME'S."

Both the Irish and the 'Canes have offered scholarships to Jared and Notre Dame has already received an oral commitment from New Jersey QB Matt Lovecchio (6-3, 200, 4.7) from Bergen Catholic. The need signal callers badly and expect to sign two.

A transfer from Rhode Island as a sophomore, Joel Hazard (5-10, 170, 4.4) brings a nice blend of soft hands and good speed to the table. Now playing at Marietta Sprayberry, Ga., the youngster caught 80 passes for over 1,200 yards in two seasons with 11 TDs. Joel had 14 receptions for approximately 300 yards and one score through four games this season.

He just attended the AUBURN-MISSISSIPPI game this weekend. "The crowd in Alabama versus the crowd in Boston is totally different," said Hazard. "They are really fanatic in Alabama, even the girls. You rarely see girls that excited about football in Boston."

He favors BOSTON COLLEGE ("I grew up about an hour from BC and I like their academics," said Hazard. "My dad played receiver there in '78.") just slightly over TENNESSEE (only two hours away), SO. CAROLINA, AUBURN and TULANE.

Joel's father, Phil Sr., has a strong influence on Joel and he favors the Eagles.

Southwest

"He could start for anyone in the country," said coach Bob Alpert, who has coached several of the state's top linemen this decade at Duncanville and Aldine MacArthur. Recruiters point out Cheshier's all-around play and agility as his strong points.

"Big Cat" favors BAYLOR (already visited; "They are rebuilding the program and will be good in the future," said Cheshier. "I like the small size of the school and it's less than two hours away.") slightly over GEORGIA TECH and TEXAS A&M (already visited; three hours away).

Cheshier is also a fine student. He carries a 3.9 GPA and has a 1,050 SAT.

Louisiana RB Devery Henderson (6-1, 185, 4.4), a.k.a. "Boo Boo," has clockings of 10.3 in the 100m and 21.1 in the 200m.

As a junior, Devery gained 1,247 yards and scored 17 TDs. This year, after three games he has rushed for 330 yards and four scores. He said running track in college is No. 2 most significant factor in his choice of a school. His No.1 factor is the possibility of freshman playing time. He's also looking for serious television exposure.

Devery says he doesn't really have a leader but is most seriously considering GEORGIA, ARKANSAS, LSU (only favorite visited and is about one-and-a-half hours from home; "I saw about three to four games last year. I like everything about them."), TENNESSEE and KENTUCKY. The Vols and Wildcats have yet to offer scholarships.

Far West

"He's a good athlete with a lot of skill," said one recruiting coordinator. "He's not that big, though, and doesn't play against great competition."

Michael favors ARIZONA ST. solid over MICHIGAN (childhood favorite; pre-season No. 1; "I'm intense and their coaches told me I could help them by keeping their intensity up," said Williams.), NOTRE DAME, UCLA and USC.

"ASU's coach [Bruce Snyder] is one of the top ones for grades and discipline," said Williams. "I think I can play early there too. I'd say there is about a 70 percent chance I'll sign there.

"I'd rather not stay in California. I want a new lifestyle and I want to see other parts of the country."

One of California's finest prospects isn't playing football this year. Due to transfer complications, TE Alex Holmes (6-3, 305, 4.85) has no more athletic eligibility and will graduate from Harvard Westlake High in North Hollywood in January. College recruiters nationwide don't need to see the youngster play anymore any way.

Last season Alex caught 45 balls for 940 yards and eight TDs. He also had 28 carries for 190 yards and four scores. "We really love him," said one college coach. "He's really explosive. Very special. He could easily play defensive end too, but if we sign him, he'll start out on the offensive side of the ball."

UCLA (11/12 official visit) and MICHIGAN (father Michael played OLB from '72-76; 11/20 visit) are in the catbird seat. "There's a 60 to 70 percent chance I'll choose one of those two," said Holmes.

"If it came right down to it, it might be MICHIGAN," he added. "I love the people in the Midwest. They have manners there. Plus they have the best facilities. But the weather might be a problem. That could be the drawback for MICHIGAN, which is why I am visiting them in winter, so I can find out. I've never even played football in the rain and I love the California weather. Also, UCLA throws to the tight end a lot.

"During football season, I am going to games and I should decide shortly after my official visits. My mom favors UCLA, but especially STANFORD." However, it appears the Cardinal, USC and OHIO ST. won't make Alex's final cut.