Talent Gets You Noticed...

Soonerbay

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This is a very interesting article that every student-athlete from middle school through high school should read...along with their parents and coaches. My opinion...college coaches adhere to this from one extreme to another...0-100%.

“He is a great talent, he certainly has the skills needed to play for us,” said the coach. “Sadly, he just won’t fit in well with our culture. It’s sad how many kids we come across every year that we cannot recruit, and it has nothing to do with their ability.”

http://www.jamesleath.com/your-tale...ed-but-your-character-will-get-you-recruited/
 
That's all very nice and idealistic. But, I have watched local talent long enough to know it isn't that simple.

If you have real talent, someone will take a chance---if at all possible. Principals and coaches will force teachers to pass kids, say they weren't absent when they were, etc. Usually, a really good program won't take a flyer, unless you have great talent. But, a lot of programs hoping to get better will take a chance on a kid. He may not last more than a semester in college, and it is often his lack of focus that keeps him from studying or working out properly. The occasional kid will actually turn it around. But, I have also seen a kid who had zero discipline and great talent sign to play for a Texas, only to fail his first semester. Since you did go to college, you can't be drafted by baseball for a couple of years, even if you drop out.

A local coach gets a scholarship in basketball for nearly all of his seniors. If they play for him, they can probably contribute on at least a small college team just because they know how to play defense. He sends an occasional kid to an SMU. A lot go to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Stephen F. Austin, etc. They are also of good character.
 
I think that should be required reading for all potential prospects every year beginning in 8th or 9th grade. As SoonerBay said, some schools follow those principals 100% and others not at all - but it wouldn't hurt if the potential recruits thought they all followed it all the time. ;)
 
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