Hey coaches, recruits are still kids

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By B.J. Bethel, Staff Writer 10:14 PM Sunday, February 12, 2012

College football coaches could use a lesson in handling rejection.

When Indiana quarterback Gunner Kiel dumped LSU so he could stay closer to home at Notre Dame, it brought out the mad in the mad hatter Les Miles.

“He did not necessarily have the chest and the ability to lead a program,” Miles huffed before the Tiger Gridiron Club.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly may have landed Kiel, but it wasn’t enough to get him over the loss of wide receiver Deontay Greenberry.

“I used to have a saying for players like that,” Kelly said. “I would rather play against him for four games than with him for four years.”

The recruiting process has grown enormous. Along with club sports, AAU, ratings services, media and prodding all the way back to grade school; it has added to the self-importance and ego of some players. It’s a situation these coaches have helped to create over the decades, giving the star treatment every time a supposed program savior steps foot on campus.

But these saviors are just 17-year-old kids, something Kelly, Miles and fans should remember.

The only leverage they have is that letter of intent. With one signature, their future is owned by a coach, university and the NCAA for the next four years. I have a hard time giving a recruit a hard time for not knowing what decision to make, especially at an age when I couldn’t even decide what I wanted out of the refrigerator.

So give tomorrow’s superstars a break and remember — they are just kids.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2250 or bjbethel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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