FanPost

Shifting Recruiting Landscape

Someone posted about being jealous of Boise State. It made me think about the upstarts in the top 5, 10 even 25. I wondered how programs located in such northern states could develop such good football programs. Then I came across this article today, although it was written a few days ago.

It presented some interesting points about recruiting and how top prospects are getting spread across the nation, north, south, east and west.

The teams benefitting...

Auburn, Oregon, Boise State, Texas Christian, Michigan State, Missouri, Utah and Wisconsin are all part of a new money rush toward the top.

Top recruits. 5 star level players, aren't going to traditional powerhouses...

What once would’ve been a shocking decision – a coveted, elite quarterback turning down the big powers – is now commonplace.

Why?

They’re there because the recruiting game has changed thanks to a wave of improved facilities, the proliferation of televised games and the creation of the Internet which made the entire nation smaller.

As recently as 10 years ago – and certainly 20, 30 and 40 – talented players were willing to be stockpiled at big-name programs and wait their turn in the hopes of one day starting (maybe as a junior or senior). This is how the Longhorns, Buckeyes, Wolverines, Fighting Irish and Trojans churned on. Those programs still get more than their fair share of top talent. They still field elite teams. They don’t get them all any more though and, as such, they can’t be great every year.

And...

Now everyone has all the bells and whistles. Michigan State, which has been to one Rose Bowl in 44 years, boasts locker rooms, offices, an indoor practice facility and an academic center that can compare with anyone. They have a 75,005-seat stadium that’s undergone recent renovations. There is nothing for a player to want for in East Lansing.

Apparently recruits are going every which way. Boise, with its 8 televised games per year, has 4 dozen Californians on its roster. Missouri has 3 dozen Texans.

The playing field is leveling, the polls are being shuffled like cards and guessing who will be next year's powerhouse is like playing Whack -A-Mole.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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