Recruiting Realities

Posted by Michael Husted 

There were some good articles in the New York Times recently about college recruiting and scholarship money. The series of articles definitely highlighted the somber tails that somestudent-athletes experience. Like anything else, we usually only get to hear or read about the top 1% who have success.I believe that there needs to be a shift of thinking in the college recruiting process, both by parents and student-athletes. As athletes we have pride. Sometimes that pride serves us well and other times it can hurt us. Most of us expect or hope for scholarships to play in college. Parents definitely hope for it and think that we are the next best player since Tom Brady(Coincidently, he was a 6th round draft pick.)Yes, college tuition is getting more expensive every year. Therefore, we feel that it is important to get a scholarship. I know that I was looking to get one to help my parents. (I was also hoping that if I got a scholarship out of high school, they would buy me a Suzuki Samurai with wood paneling on the side.)Neither happened. I ended up “walking on” at the University of Virginia and driving a beat up Ford Pinto with no A/C. The summer after I graduated high school, I received a call from Liberty University with an offer for a “full ride.” I respectfully declined.It should not be about “show(ing) me the money.” I understand that there are some people that cannot go to college for financial reasons unless they get an athletic scholarship.However, for this discussion, the shift in mind set should be focused on the benefits of playing college sports. Athletics offer more long term benefits then tuition alone. Pursuing sports in college can increases acceptance opportunities. Once there, just a few of the traits you learn are:

• Time management
• Discipline
• Team work
• Self-Motivation
• How to deal well with pressure

Those skills and a college degree will ultimately land you with a great job when you graduate. Many employers look first to student-athletes for the above mentioned traits when hiring. If fact there is even a website geared towards hiring student-athletes out of high school: http://www.athletes4hire.com

Read the series of articles

Good luck!

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		By Allen Wallace National Recruiting Editor Posted Apr 3, 2008 Coleman followed Washington as a child and says the Huskies are solidly his top choice. “They are like a mile from where I live and they were always the school I followed,” Coleman said. “My mom really wants me to go there too. She wants what’s best for me, but she’d like it if I stayed close to home…I really like coach Tyrone Willingham. He’s a good person…”
Deandre Coleman, the 6-foot-4, 285 pound three-star defensive tackle from Garfield High School in Seattle, Wash., has five scholarship offers, although only one really stands out. Coleman followed Washington as a child and says the Huskies are solidly his top choice. “They are like a mile from where I live and they were always the school I followed,” Coleman said. “My mom really wants me to go there too. She wants what’s best for me, but she’d like it if I stayed close to home.”Washington was Coleman’s first scholarship offer in February. “I really like coach Tyrone Willingham,” he said. “He’s a good person and he really likes to help his players. I think they are doing everything they need to to get better. I really want to see them win. They are my number one school and I think coach Willingham has them going up. If they can win a few games early next season and do well, I might consider committing to them. I really want to play for a winning team.” While Coleman admits that he’d consider committing to Washington early, he admits he’d like to take his official visits first. “Washington is my favorite now, but I’m still open,” he said. “I’m thinking about taking my official visits and going through the whole process, but I could commit early too. I’m not sure yet.” Another factor in Coleman’s decision will be the coaching staff. “I want a good coaching staff and to play for coaches that I really like,” he said. “I’m gonna have to be there for a while, so I want to make sure I have a good relationship with them.” Trailing the Huskies are Oregon, Washington State, USC and LSU. All of his favorites have offered, except the Trojans. “They are recruiting me though,” he said. “They’ve got my highlight tape and I’ll be going to their camp this summer. I like them because they are always producing great players and I love that they always win.” Coleman also plans to attend the Oregon camp this summer. He’ll be at the Duck Junior Day on April 26 as well. “I don’t really know much about Oregon yet and that’s why I want to go check them out,” he said. “They had a great season last year and they are always a top team too.” Another offer that Coleman has is from Arizona, but like Oregon, Coleman says he doesn’t know much about the Wildcats yet. Coleman’s most surprising offer came from national champions LSU. “I was real surprised they offered because they are so far away,” Coleman said. “It was my second offer and came as a shock. It’s a real big-time school. I talked to their defensive line coach (Earl Lane) and he said they really like me and thinks I’d be a good fit for their defense.” Coleman says he benches 350 pounds, squats 545 runs a 5.2 forty. “I think I get to the ball carrier quickly,” he said. “I’m real aggressive and competitive. I’m physical and can play fast for my size.” Scout.com’s No. 13 defensive tackle says there’s still a lot of room for improvement. “I want to use my hands better and work on my technique on people,” he said. Coleman reports a 2.5 core GPA and is taking the ACT in June.

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March 27, 2008

By Steve Kajihiro

One goal of Island Sports Media is to bring exposure to athletes around the world by featuring athletes of all ages from the youth level to the pros. We strive to assist athletes with exposure and getting them to the next level.

The other day, I had a chance to talk to one of the most highly recruited class of 2009 prep football players in Washington State, if not all of the Pacific Northwest region. He is also one of the best defensive tackles on the west coast, if not the nation.

His name is Deandre Coleman of Garfield High School in Seattle, WA.

Coleman is currently a junior defensive tackle for Garfield High School. He is 6 foot 5 inches tall and weighs 283 lbs. Coleman most recently ran a 40 yard dash in 5.2 seconds. Last season, Coleman had 45 tackles and forced 2 fumbles; and earned All-League King County 4A honors by being selected to the first team defense and second team offense.

Coleman has been playing football for the past 8 years and credits his success to working hard and going to camps and combines. Coleman said he works out with a personal trainer and also with Ultimate Edge Sports camps, which assisted him in preparing and getting into the U.S. Army combine in Texas.

Coleman told me that, “the recruiting is good, five offers so far.” He has received offers from the University of Washington, Washington State University, University of Oregon, University of Arizona, and Louisiana State University.

I asked Coleman if he could give some advice to younger football players. He told me that if someone wants to do well, they need to “workout, work hard in school, and on the field.” He said, “Attending camps is important because you get exposure.” Coleman told me that he recommends Coach Simi at Ultimate Edge Sports. He said, “They’re a good help, they help with everything, they get you ready for combines and gets you exposure.”

Right now, Coleman is planning to go through the recruiting process before making any commitments. Being just a junior with five offers, Coleman is the real deal but with more work in the classroom and on the field, he may be one of the top 10 recruits in the nation.

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The Eagle Glen Country Club in Corona, CA welcomed inductees, family and friends to a very memorable evening with Lindsay Soto and John Jackson of Fox Sports in attendance to MC the event. It was indeed a big night for one big Ultimate Edge Sports lineman! Four years Scholar Athlete, Richard Helepiko of Moreno Valley HS was among those inducted into the NFF & College Hall of Fame Riverside County Chapter. This is a prestigious honor to his academic achievements. Richard’s name will be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana, as a High School Scholar-Athlete. The UES Family congratulates Richard and his parents for their supportive roles in their son’s success both on and off the field. Richard has committed to play football at Fresno State University on a full athletic scholarship.

For more details on this story, please visit http://www.eteamz.com/nffriversidecounty

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Scheduling i-s everything especially if it means at a moment’s notice making room on your daily planner for it. Just hours after Co-Founder Simi Strickland of UES and Recruiting Manager, Mike Beaird touched down in Las Vegas, Nevada plans to meet Baron Flenory & Kashann Simmons, the owners of New Level Athletics was set. “Baron & Kashann are really good at what they do!”, commented Strickland. The two-day event at UNLV featured an array of regional talent from the west and northwest areas.

New Level Athletics was impressive right out of the gates. “I was amazed at the level of competition these guys brought together. California1 was well represented by a number of USC bound players. Their motors never quit. New Level packaged it just right.”, said Strickland. This meeting brought both sides of the recruiting to one location. The pair combined resources to bring light to athletes and parents on how deep the competition is at this level and a few key notes for parents on recruiting. It takes involvement from both the athlete and the parent(s) for the recruiting to be a success. Get involved. “Most of the athletes are here to get better but it’s great to see the best know they still have to work hard”, said Strickland.  Regardless of the number of stars behind their names, most understand how important training is during the off season. The athletes who attended were reminded that all of this hard work would not go to waste so long as they continued to keep their grades on track.

New Level Athletics is a step up from the rest of the pack. UES looks forward to promoting their future events. We caught up with Strickland on the last day of the camp, “I admire what they (Next Level Athletics) have going on. There was this energy from the get go down to the closing minutes that I had not experienced at any other camp on the west coast.”

On the talent side of things, Washington’s own featured TE/LB- Jacob Pele of Auburn Riverside HS, WR- Gino Simoni of Skyline HS who was noted as having great separation speed and the top 2010 QB recruit Jake Heaps of Skyline HS with six scholarships offers as a sophomore. Utah’s L.T. Filiaga, ILB 6′1″ 230 lbs. of Bingham HS was very impressive at linebacker. So Cal’s stand-out Levine Toilolo took his game to a “new level” with a couple of circus catches. Strickland’s eye for talent also spotted WR Donnie Jennert showcasing his 4.4 speed. Jennert is 6′ 8″ 192 lbs. out of Glenwood Springs HS in Colorado. One final note, Strickland’s linebacker pick of the camp went to 6′2″ 235 lbs. USC commit, Vontaze Burfict. “He was the most physical linebacker on the field.”

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2009 Levine Toilolo, Helix HS, commit to Stanford

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2009 Deandre Coleman, Garfield HS, Offers in from LSU, UW, Oregon, Arizona

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“Ultimate Edge has helped me a lot, by not just getting the opportunity to get noticed by colleges but also helping me understand what it takes to make it to college.

Since I’ve been with Ultimate Edge program, its made a big impact in my school and especially given me many opportunities and its also helped me in many ways by teaching me what I need in order to reach my goals.

Since I have been with Ultimate Edge it has been nothing but all support throughout the way, helping me and my parents in understanding what I need to make it to have a successful future, and I wish I would have known about this program earlier.

I have made many friends and met many coaches from many places through this program, and its helped me understand more on what I have to do and work on in order to have a successful future ahead of me and I would like to thank
Coach Simi for giving me that opportunity and his support for me and my little brother.”

D’Zachary Leatimua - Senior, Lakes HS, Lakewood, WA

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2008 NIKE Football Training Camp Schedule
Sun., April 6th - Miami, Fla. - Univ. of Miami - 10-2pm
Sun., April 13th - Gainesville, Fla. - Univ. of Florida - 10-2pm
Sun., April 20th - Los Angeles, Calif. - USC - 10-2pm
Sat., April 26th - Fort Worth, Texas - TCU - 10-2pm
Sun., April 27th - Baton Rouge, La. - LSU - 10-2pm
Fri., May 2nd - Chapel Hill, N.C. - North Carolina - 1-5pm
Sat., May 3rd - Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Univ. of Alabama - 11-3pm
Fri., May 9th - Columbus, Ohio - Ohio State Univ. - 1-5pm
Sat., May 10th - State College, Pa. - Penn State Univ. - 11-3pm
Sat., May 17th - Stanford, Calif. - Stanford Univ. - 10-2pm
Sat., June 7th - Eugene, Ore. - Univ. of Oregon - 10-2pm
Sat., June 14th - Provo, Utah - BYU - 10-2pm

Important Note: There will no longer be testing (40-yard dash, bench press, etc.) at the NIKE Football Training Camps - or college camps for that matter - due to NCAA legislation. Any player attending a NIKE Camp will need to go to a NIKE Combine first if he wishes to get tested and get a SPARQ Rating. Information on the 2008 NIKE Combines, including online registration, can be found here.

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2008 NIKE COMBINES
YOU ARE INVITED - TEST YOURSELF WITH THE BEST!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR A 2008 NIKE COMBINE!

The premier high school athletic testing event, the NIKE Combines are a great opportunity for top high school players who aspire to play on the next level to see where they stand with their peers and get unbiased testing numbers by respected professionals in the industry.

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