It can be an incredibly attractive environment for a prospective student athlete
to see some of the nation's biggest and best football programs in all the pageantry
of a rivalry game. It can also be a risk depending on the outcome of the game
itself.
Branden Smith of Atlanta, Ga. is one of the nation's most heavily recruited
prospects. He's ranked the No. 7 cornerback in the nation by Scout, and he
recently returned from his official visit to Tennessee for the Vols' game
against Alabama.
Smith's other visit to date was at Florida for the Gators' game against LSU. LSU
hosted several big visitors this weekend for its game against Georgia as well.
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Talking with Smith, it was easy to tell the difference the atmosphere can
make on a prospect's impression depending on the outcome of the game. For a
quick reminder, Florida was the only one of the three to win its home game.
"Florida fans were much louder when I was there for the LSU game,"
said Smith. "It's not that Tennessee wasn't loud, because it was, but it
wasn't like the atmosphere at Florida where every play was rockin' so loud you
couldn't hear anything."
Atmosphere makes a big first impression, but it's also the quickest to fade when
it comes to a recruit making a decision, and Smith has lots of time left before
he'll be finished with recruiting. He has three visits remaining (Auburn,
Florida State, and Georgia) before making a final decision at the Under Armour
All-America Game in January.
On the move?
January used to be the busiest month of recruiting as recently as three
years ago. It wasn't uncommon for teams to bring in 20 or more prospects on
consecutive weekends.
Times have changed though, and recruits make their decisions earlier and
earlier. Full recruiting lists have changed the busy season for recruiting to
November when coaching changes are in full force and the phone lines heat up to
get the latest on the committed players.
Clemson saw this phenomenon happen sooner rather than later as the Tigers
lost several high profile commitments in the wake of Tommy Bowden's resignation,
including the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked safeties in the country Craig Loston and
Devonte Holloman respectively.
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Devonte Holloman
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The advancing of the recruiting calendar has also increased the amount of
recruits changing their minds from one school to another. There are several
players making names for themselves during their senior seasons that have found
their recruitment heat up, even though they've already committed.
There's a saying amongst coaches when a player makes a commitment: "Now we
know who we need to beat to get him". These three players may be solid
commitments, but they've also attracted the attention of several schools around
the south.
*Vanderbilt commitment Walker May of Birmingham, Ala. is a player that has
seen his stock continue to rise amongst colleges in the south.
*Georgia Tech commitment Jemea Thomas of Fitzgerald, Ga. recently committed
to the Yellow Jackets, and more teams are starting to pay attention to the
dynamo from south Georgia.
*Auburn commitment Jonathan Atchison has teams calling his number again
after the Tigers have struggled the last several weeks.
Making a Decision
*North Carolina continues its turnaround season on the field, and it has
also added another football commitment in wide receiver / defensive back Erik Highsmith (6-2/190). Highsmith has been incredibly productive over the course of
the last two seasons catching over 100 balls.
*Florida continues to load up on NEXT year's class. Fort Lauderdale
safety Demar Dorsey (6-2/190) became Florida's fourth commitment for the Class
of 2010.
Big Visits
*It may not end up meaning much, but it's interesting that Alabama
commit A.J. McCarron, Scout's No 13 ranked quarterback, is visiting Ole Miss
while Scout's No. 9 ranked quarterback Eugene Smith is visiting Alabama.