BLOG 84: In general, recruiting classes have to be approached with caution

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – It’s so easy this time of the year to be overcome by the excitement of a new college football recruiting class.

But, that excitement has to be balanced by the reality that the payoff for these recruiting classes typically comes years down the line for a program. It is exceedingly rare (although it is changing more and more) for many recruits to come in and compete at a high level as true freshmen. It happens here and there, but not often. A physical and emotional maturity generally must take place as a student-athlete becomes acclimated to college life and life as a college football player – both can be challenging.

All kinds of things can happen to a recruiting class over the course of the four to six years we would generally need to completely evaluate a group of recruits. Clearly, Ferris was looking to fill holes that needed to be addressed for the program’s future and the staff of head coach Jeff Pierce is confident it has done just that with this rather large class of 26 for 2009. There is an attrition rate with recruiting classes, over the course of four to six years, and because of that the coaching staff will work hard to develop student-athletes and keep them on track both athletically an academically.

Fans must have patience as these young guys join the program and truly learn just how hard you have to work to be a college football player. Some student-athletes will come in ahead of schedule and some will take a little more time during the developmental process. Now that coaches have the student-athletes signed (although the process can sometimes continue for guys who have not signed on signing day) the hard work is still ahead as the coaches continue to build the program with the current players and lay the ground work for Wednesday’s signees to begin being successful in the fall.

We can’t expect miracles from our recruits, immediately. But, it’s understandable now is the time to feel a strong sense of optimism as we ponder what can be in the future.

For a comprehensive look at Ferris’ recruiting class, visit
http://www.ferris.edu/sports/FOOTBALL/08news/09recruits.htm

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com