RAM--this is exactly what I was referring to by noting the number of Ky kids going on full-rides to OUT-OF-STATE FCS schools. Why is it Illinois, SC, and Tennessee FCS schools think Ky kids are good enough to offer, but they aren't maybe getting offers from EKU or Murray?

I agree completely. It seems that the out-of-state schools love the Kentucky players, but the in-state D2's and FCS schools don't know they exist.

 

I know we are in different parts of the state, but the Ohio FCS, D2 and D3 schools really recruited hard in our area this year. One of our players ended up at an Ohio D2, but got nothing from our two in-state D2 programs. My son got A LOT of interest from Ohio FCS, D2 and D3 schools. One D2 begged (really begged him) him to reconsider after he committed to Georgetown. But, he got zero attention from the two in-state D2 schools. The same story can be repeated, but it happens every year.

You can add Morehead State to that list...Kids don't want to go to losing programs.

You can add Morehead State to that list...Kids don't want to go to losing programs.

 

Morehead's a whole different issue than Murray or EKU because they're prohibited from giving football scholarships even though they're FCS.

 

It's not an issue of Ky kids not CHOOSING to go to Murray or EKU, often they're told to walk-on instead of being offered scholarships --even though an out-of-state FCS school is willing to offer.

 

My assumption is they're wanting to use their scholarships to get a Florida or Georgia kid to come while hoping the in-state kid will be willing to walk on (gets lower in-state tuition, gets to use KEES money, etc.).

I agree completely. It seems that the out-of-state schools love the Kentucky players, but the in-state D2's and FCS schools don't know they exist.

 

I know we are in different parts of the state, but the Ohio FCS, D2 and D3 schools really recruited hard in our area this year. One of our players ended up at an Ohio D2, but got nothing from our two in-state D2 programs.

 

My guess on the 'in-state D2' programs (Ky. Wesleyan and Ky. State) is they are choosing to use their VERY LIMITED scholarship $$'s for kids from areas of the state that have historically been more willing to come there. I know based on being in Louisville for 6 years now that Ky. Wesleyan seems to have made a conscious effort to attack the city of Louisville as its recruiting base. Got some VERY good kids out of here (and flipped two G'town commits at the last minute).

Thank you VERY much for posting this (I was wondering about RJ specifically--along with the other Ky. kids going to TN and IL FCS schools on scholarship).

 

RAM--this is exactly what I was referring to by noting the number of Ky kids going on full-rides to OUT-OF-STATE FCS schools. Why is it Illinois, SC, and Tennessee FCS schools think Ky kids are good enough to offer, but they aren't maybe getting offers from EKU or Murray?

 

I take vanloads of Ballard kids to Illinois U. every summer to their camp that has all the Illinois FCS schools' coaches there evaluating. My hope is that Ky. HS coaches blanket S. Illinois, E. Illinois, W. Illinois, UT-Martin, Wofford, with film & recruiting profiles. Maybe if they have 3 or 4 Ky kids do very well while there (like many have in the past at Wofford by the way) the in-state scholarship FCS schools will start offering and stop expecting our good kids to walk-on at their schools.

 

So good luck to RJ...and PLEASE keep us updated on here how successful he is down there.

 

 

Than you very much Coach J. Truly appreciated for your thoughts and support. I can tell you this, and I mean this 100%. I will help foster that relationship with the Wofford staff and if you guys have some players that are at that level Ill help you get into contact with the right folks. Its a shame that these in -state FCS schools have done such a poor job in evaluating the in state talent (In My Opinion). I understand UK and UL, due to their national footprint in trying to go after Top Tier or perceived Top talent, but PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE dont tell me that the kids listed on the BLueGrass Preps Team and Plenty of other kids not mentioned, cannot compete for their in state schools and win. WHO IS GOING TO BE MORE PROUD OF THAT JERSEY ON THEIR CHEST?????? An in state kid who has bled, fought, and scrapped in this very state for that opportunity, or a 2nd and 3rd tier kid from another state???? I know that he will never say it, but inside his heart RJ has a resentment and a built in chip on his shoulder due to it. And he will use it as fuel at the next level, I promise.

 

We need to do a better job as a state, helping these kids receive the proper noteriety, and exposure, that it takes to get more kids on to the next level. And we need the kids that do leave and go to other states to go and ball out and open previosuly locked doors for the next group of kids. I promise we as a family will help any future kids from this area in regards to being able to communicate with Wofford.

and if folks want to do their kids some justice, start doing investigation into FCS programs and And D2 programs. Most kids are not D1, although every kid, fan and parent loves to discuss and think D1, explain the real live numbers on what percentage of kids are D1. And the ENTIRE package that it takes to even get to that point, like ACADEMICS, off the field handling OF SOCIAL MEDIA, and working in the off season at their craft. Camp to compete against out of state competition, foster relationships with coaches, opposing coaches, recruiting coaches etc... to gain every contact possible. just some advice.

The biggest factor and I don't care who says anything different, but the biggest factor is sending kids to camps/combines. Period, end of story.

 

I didn't know how important that was until way too late and thanks to Mr Sixer and RomanEmpire who helped educate me on the process it paid off.

Because of playing mulitple sports my son was unable to go to any camps until after the season his junior year in HS and then it was only 1 camp we could get to. He went from 0 schools interested to 14 that were really interested from DIII to DII and 1 D1 and several NAIA schools. All from 1 camp and help from a recruiting service. Once a kid gets recognized, the thing that will seperate them from DI to NAIA comes down to size and speed more than anything else as long as the kid can play.

 

Coaches and recruiters will not be watching your kid on Friday nights unless they already know about him and that comes mostly from camps etc. There are, I garuntee you, several kids who can play at several levels in College but never get the opportunity because unless they do the legwork themselves they will never be noticed. If I knew then what I know now I would of had my kid in camps from the summer of his 8th grade year on. Hindsight is 20/20.

 

You can talk about KY DII schools not doing a great job at keeping in state players etc. but it also has to do with what the kids are doing to get themselves noticed. Remember it is not the HS coaches job to get your kid a college scholarship. Coaches will mainly talk to college recruiters and coaches when they come visit your HS coach or call him, but he won't be going out finding colleges for you. Parents need to understand before it's too late if their kid wants to play at the next level then they must do the roadwork early on.

The biggest factor and I don't care who says anything different, but the biggest factor is sending kids to camps/combines. Period, end of story.

 

I didn't know how important that was until way too late and thanks to Mr Sixer and RomanEmpire who helped educate me on the process it paid off.

Because of playing mulitple sports my son was unable to go to any camps until after the season his junior year in HS and then it was only 1 camp we could get to. He went from 0 schools interested to 14 that were really interested from DIII to DII and 1 D1 and several NAIA schools. All from 1 camp and help from a recruiting service. Once a kid gets recognized, the thing that will seperate them from DI to NAIA comes down to size and speed more than anything else as long as the kid can play.

 

Coaches and recruiters will not be watching your kid on Friday nights unless they already know about him and that comes mostly from camps etc. There are, I garuntee you, several kids who can play at several levels in College but never get the opportunity because unless they do the legwork themselves they will never be noticed. If I knew then what I know now I would of had my kid in camps from the summer of his 8th grade year on. Hindsight is 20/20.

 

You can talk about KY DII schools not doing a great job at keeping in state players etc. but it also has to do with what the kids are doing to get themselves noticed. Remember it is not the HS coaches job to get your kid a college scholarship. Coaches will mainly talk to college recruiters and coaches when they come visit your HS coach or call him, but he won't be going out finding colleges for you. Parents need to understand before it's too late if their kid wants to play at the next level then they must do the roadwork early on.

 

 

Agree totally with all of this. And understand that even with all of that, barring being 1 of the Absolute elite of the state, KY kids are still doubted and critiqued differently then kids from other states. Parents must grab the bulls by the horn and be very proactive, coaches do what they can and cannot be expected to do all the leg work for these kids. They do their best and do a great job for the most part, especially considering the compensation for them and their efforts.

 

KY kids must work to break the stereotypes by going out and producing and the ones that leave the state need to not wash out, stick it out, and help to open up doors for others.

 

Realilze that as a KY kid in the recruiting world, you will be doubted and given less favor then kids of equal to less talent and ability from kids of other states. FACT. So, work twice as hard as a family, player, coach, to invest in your kids future.

Agree totally with all of this. And understand that even with all of that, barring being 1 of the Absolute elite of the state, KY kids are still doubted and critiqued differently then kids from other states. Parents must grab the bulls by the horn and be very proactive, coaches do what they can and cannot be expected to do all the leg work for these kids. They do their best and do a great job for the most part, especially considering the compensation for them and their efforts.

 

KY kids must work to break the stereotypes by going out and producing and the ones that leave the state need to not wash out, stick it out, and help to open up doors for others.

 

Realilze that as a KY kid in the recruiting world, you will be doubted and given less favor then kids of equal to less talent and ability from kids of other states. FACT. So, work twice as hard as a family, player, coach, to invest in your kids future.

Very true. My son selected an out of state school (OH) and the reason being is the academics at the College he selected but the scrutiny you talk about is true. Although as the coaches told us all is he was their #1 WR they were recruiting they still signed 3 other WR's from different states including 1 from Florida and 1 from California. So he understands to never rest on his laurels and he will have to prove himself over and over again.

 

It is unfair in a way that KY is never thought of as a football state but (I'm in NKY) 10 miles north is considered a hot bed for high school football players. We'll just have to keep fighting to disprove the myth.

Well congratulations to your son and I wish him the best of luck and hope he enjoys his college experience and comes away with a great education. And great succes for him, on and off the field. I love hearing about the KY kids going and making good. Those successes are what keeps those coaches coming back to the Bluegrass State getting more KYkids.

I understand UK and UL, due to their national footprint in trying to go after Top Tier or perceived Top talent, but PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE dont tell me that the kids listed on the BLueGrass Preps Team and Plenty of other kids not mentioned, cannot compete for their in state schools and win. WHO IS GOING TO BE MORE PROUD OF THAT JERSEY ON THEIR CHEST?????? An in state kid who has bled, fought, and scrapped in this very state for that opportunity, or a 2nd and 3rd tier kid from another state????

This is exactly what I was trying to tell people in the College Football Forum in the UK thread. They didn't seem to understand what I was saying. You, going though what you have with the recruiting process, understand.

This is exactly what I was trying to tell people in the College Football Forum in the UK thread. They didn't seem to understand what I was saying. You, going though what you have with the recruiting process, understand.

 

So much goes into all of this. UK for instance, needed to make a splash to help build momentum within the fanbase with recruiting, so STAR RATINGS and Star Power were of a necessity, and also necessary to keep the momentum needed to justify the 170 million dollars going into the facilities and program, we were told that if it were any other year RJ would have been wrapped up and committed to UK. But it was upfront and honest, from the coaching staff. RJ being of a lower priority being just a 2 STAR and local was less of importance then the greater need of generating buzz and excitement. We had no issues with that, at least they came out and said exactly what it was. Lots of politics involved, think of the staff wanting to get into a high school for the first time that can become a recruiting pipeline, they are willing to take a kid from out of state to get their foot in the door, over your local kid that they wont be back to your school for another 6-7 years recruiting anyway. Is what it is.

 

But someone please explain EKU and Murray and their reliance on out of state talent with all of the talent around here. I was told from a coach that I am friends with, that EKU literally doesnt worry about recruiting KY kids until late due to no one coming in and getting them anyway. Their approach is to recruit FL, GA, and TN and scrape up who they can there, then come late in the game to pick whatever is still here in KY. SMH. I tell you this and I mean it, I am very glad that our situation went exactly how it did. We got the perfect scneario and program for RJ and our situation. I wouldnt trade the opportunity at Wofford for anything.

But someone please explain EKU and Murray and their reliance on out of state talent with all of the talent around here. I was told from a coach that I am friends with, that EKU literally doesnt worry about recruiting KY kids until late due to no one coming in and getting them anyway. Their approach is to recruit FL, GA, and TN and scrape up who they can there, then come late in the game to pick whatever is still here in KY. SMH. I tell you this and I mean it, I am very glad that our situation went exactly how it did. We got the perfect scneario and program for RJ and our situation. I wouldnt trade the opportunity at Wofford for anything.

What I said in the UK thread was about UK, but it also pertained to EKU, WKU, Murray, and Wesleyan. I wish someone could explain why they don't grab up the Kentucky talent. Many don't seem to understand the closeness of the talent at those levels. D2 and NAIA and some FCS are very close in talent level. Like you, I have seen a lot of D2, NAIA and FCS games lately during the recruiting visits. The talent level is very close in most instances. The two D2 schools in-state are losing a lot of players to out-of-state schools and even to some of the NAIA schools in-state.

think of it this way, why wouldn't other states view our kids this way, when our In State schools perpetuate the very same thing!!!! And even worse.

think of it this way, why wouldn't other states view our kids this way, when our In State schools perpetuate the very same thing!!!! And even worse.

Agreed. I guess that is one reason why I don't understand it. Heck, out-of-state schools give our players more attention then the in-state schools, for the most part.