Signing Day 2012 is less than a month and a half away — and college coaches everywhere are doing everything they can to lock up the best recruiting class possible. For many local seniors and their families, it is an extremely stressful time.
What can they do to find the right spot?
The only answer is to be patient and hope that your son, his coaches, and your family have done enough to open doors. Most athletes would love an opportunity to suit up for the coaches at the University of Colorado or Colorado State, but that is just a dream for most athletes.
So, with that in mind: stay realistic and consider all of your options. There are some fantastic local programs at the Division II level.
Athletes who are being seriously recruited by schools should have been receiving multiple calls during the fall and winter from the coaches hoping to sign them. These coaches should also be mentioning official visits in January.
While Northern Colorado has been an exception this year with early offers, the majority of FCS and Division II schools want athletes to come to their campus before offering a scholarship. College coaches visiting a high school is a great thing — but calls, official visits and offers are far and away the most interest a college coach can show at this point in the process.
Also, don’t forget: there are NCAA rules to restrict contact over the holiday break.
Quick Hitters
• Grand Junction quarterback Sean Rubalcaba made his first official visit to Wyoming in early December. “It went pretty good and I thought it was fun,” he said. “It just opened your eyes seeing things about their school and … what it would be. It is nice to see where you fit in.” Rubalcaba also added a recent offer from Southern Utah.
• Chaparral defensive back Gavin McHenry had Air Force as his leader in the recruiting process but an official trip to Wyoming will factor into his final decision. “I’d say it is pretty even right now,” he said. “Going into this visit, I was leaning towards Air Force but Wyoming evened things up.”
• Will Auburn be able to sign two of Colorado’s top senior prospects? Chaparral offensive lineman Shane Callahan , and Valor Christian offensive lineman Alex Kozan was on their campus for a recent official visit. Kozan’s top schools include Auburn, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, Oregon and LSU.
• Valor Christian athlete Christian McCaffrey will not be the only football player in the Class of 2014 receiving national recruiting attention. Windsor offensive lineman Trenton Noller has the same skills needed to open a lot of doors. “I’ve gotten letters from schools big and small,” he said. “There has been letters from Wisconsin, Utah, Stanford, Oregon, CSU, Princeton, and some smaller schools.”
• Akron running back Jourdan Hottinger may be a small-school rusher but college coaches have been giving him a long look. “I’ve had a couple of coaches come down and see me,” he said. “Western State and Fort Lewis have come to see me and talk to me. I’ve heard from Mesa State, Mines, Abilene Christian (Texas) University, Dakota Wesleyan, and Grand Valley State in Michigan.”
• 6-foot-6, 225 pound Pomona defensive end Toran Huwa was a first-year starter this season, but college coaches have been flocking to see him at school. “It has been Doane (Neb.), Adams State, CSU-Pueblo, UNC, and Fort Hayes (Kan.),” he said.
• Highlands Ranch athlete Richard Mbugua is hoping his recruiting stock can pick increase in upcoming weeks. “I’ve talked to UNC and we just sent film to Montana, Montana State, and some (FCS) schools. I will probably send out some more film to some other schools.”
