Have been at 8 camps at UC over the past two weeks and in large part the guys they have labeled as "hot" get the most attention. Still, I have seen quite a few catch a coaches eye that they didn't have identified before hand. The percentage is very small, but you can catch the coaches eye if the skills and athleticism stand out...

To Ohio State yes they're overrated, but to Mid Majors and the FCS teams that attend the OSU camp, could benefit some kids that might slip through the cracks.

 

Don't the new "Satellite Camp" rules prevent guest coaches at these camps now? If true, this is totally a waste of time.

Don't the new "Satellite Camp" rules prevent guest coaches at these camps now? If true, this is totally a waste of time.

 

They rescinded that

If I was him, I'd walk around 24/7 with a shirt that simply says:

 

"My genetics are better than yours."

 

Wow. Awesome for this kid and the sky is definitely the limit. Best of luck to you young man.

The biggest thing Urban is pointing out is the change in our football culture from a we sport to a me sport. Football is fast tracking towards the basketball model. What he is saying is that kids should focus on being the best player they can within a team, as opposed to the basketball model in which team play is largely irrelevant and all that matters is how your perform individually when playing only for your own glory. At the same time, if college coaches want that to be what kids focus on, they need to put a premium on high school film and high school coach input. Some do some don't.

So I guess these means a few of you will not be heading to Columbus this Friday for another one of those pointless OSU Buckeye camps...:lol2:

 

If your student-athlete is just showing up and going through the motions until end and you split...you're missing the boat. Meet the other coaches in attendance, id preferred communication, get contact info so you can send video after. It's about networking.

 

From personal experience I have seen meetings post camp solidify good inroads to recruiting from D3-FCS schools that were in attendance. I can tell you UC and OUs satellite camp at Mason are very solid camps and are well run. I've seen anywhere from 7-12 coaches at each.

 

And in case you were wondering: we won't be at the OSU camp either! :lol2:

 

Good luck and enjoy the recruiting trail. :thumb:

Urban and Saban are both trying to go against the evolving camp scene and D1 Satellite Camps. As many people have said camps can serve multiple benefits. You can have the opportunity to be evaluated by lower level programs who might be in attendance. Also while they already know where their focus lies within the camp in regard to who they will focus on I guarantee they want those recruits to compete at there camp against high level competition at the camp and they want to see how they respond to coaching at the camp.

 

I was out at the Kentucky Christian Camp today visiting with the QB Coach/Offensive Coordinator Coach Freeman as he worked QB's - one athlete finished a rep and starting walking away as Coach was trying to provide feedback the kid continued to walk away not stopping to listen and acknowledge. Coach looked at me and said "you have to love that attitude, that's why we like having kids at camp. We get to see how they respond to us and are they coachable."

Sending your kid to a top D1 programs camp is a waste of money unless you think your kid has D1 level potential.

 

Another problem is way to many parents are illogical in their thinking here as well.

I can't tell you how many coaches after they see film on a kid ask him to come to camp so they can see the kid in person. ( personal experience from my graduated senior ) I do think for some it's a money grab. Others are to gain a better value on the kid. I bet the Kentucky kid who just ran 4.30 and 4.31 doesn't think it was a waste of time. He just ran onto a lot of recruiting boards! I took my 8th grader to the Ohio U camp this year to get a gauge on where he was at. Only one other younger kid, a freshman there. Most were older HS players, ton of Juniors and Seniors. My kid held his own and we seen a few things he can improve on, he tested well and will only get better with work. But now he knows he needs to work so it was worth the 50.00 bucks. Nothing like making a young kid compete with older kids, puts things into perspective. I like camps for the competition. It's like the lottery, can't win if you don't play.

Deleted

Sending your kid to a top D1 programs camp is a waste of money unless you think your kid has D1 level potential.

 

Not completely true. Some parents don't have a clue about their kids talent level or potential. Some kids can go as rising sophs and juniors and be on the cusps of DI level. The main advantage is if smaller DII, DII coaches attend. We sent a rising junior to Louisville, UC and Furman and within a few weeks, we are getting contact and interest from DII, and DI-AA schools. And we don't see him as a DI level player yet because he is still sort of young and fresh to Varsity level high school ball. I would never keep a kid from a camp whether it be DIII or DI. It's like saying you don't want them to try or learn from experiences. There is a difference between going to a DI camp to get work in and going to camp to expect a scholarship offer right away (which is unrealistic even for top notch players).

Not completely true. Some parents don't have a clue about their kids talent level or potential. Some kids can go as rising sophs and juniors and be on the cusps of DI level. The main advantage is if smaller DII, DII coaches attend. We sent a rising junior to Louisville, UC and Furman and within a few weeks, we are getting contact and interest from DII, and DI-AA schools. And we don't see him as a DI level player yet because he is still sort of young and fresh to Varsity level high school ball. I would never keep a kid from a camp whether it be DIII or DI. It's like saying you don't want them to try or learn from experiences. There is a difference between going to a DI camp to get work in and going to camp to expect a scholarship offer right away (which is unrealistic even for top notch players).

 

There are always a lot of lower level coaches at these D1 camps. They don't have the recruiting budget of the bigger schools and this is a great bang for their buck.

The point that I think Coach Meyer & others are trying to get to is that the quickly emerging 7on7 (AAU football) scene, as well as the various scouting service combines & camps put on by 3rd parties (including those ran by Rivals, Scout & even NIKE ironic as that is) are not the answer to "getting recruited". He even mentions "The Opening" by name.

I believe the point being made is many young athletes & the people advising them seem to think "Star Ratings" will get you recruited, when in fact the services running those events wont issue "stars" until the player is being recruited.

It's really a situation of, is the Tail wagging the Dog?

It seems to me the message is to put the emphasis back in becoming the very best player that the kid can be for his high school team, which clearly will help him become the very best player he can be for himself as an individual. When that happens, if the young man ends up being one of the 6% that get to play at the next level, he will be recruited by someone and find a place to play.

There is a place for the combines & camps, but they are becoming the focal point as opposed to the tool that they should be used as.

Sooner or later, a player has to produce on the field. No matter the stars or the numbers beside their name.

Go be the best player you can be for your high school team, put film down that is worthy of attention, then show what you can do at a camp where the people who are able to offer scholarships are actually at, don't rely on such & such Combine or Service to "Rate" you & then send a spreadsheet out with your numbers.

3rd parties are making bank at the expense of a bunch of kids dreaming big dreams. Which again is fine is you take it for what it's worth. But as best I know, NIKE, Scout, Rivals, or any of the others have yet to offer a scholarship to anyone.

Very well stated.

Sending your kid to a top D1 programs camp is a waste of money unless you think your kid has D1 level potential.

 

My comments were based on if the camp was run only by OSU coaches. If mid major coaches are there evaluating kids then yes it would be beneficial.