A recruiting free-for-all

Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2003 16:01:48 -0500
Newsgroups: alt.sports.football.pro.oak-raiders
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http://foxsports.lycos.com
BY RANDY HILL
FOXSports.com
No Sharpies were harmed during the college football signing day that
inspired this column.
And here's the column's premise:
The pen is mightier than the BCS computer.
For one day.
But one day was enough for college football's recruiting free-for-all to
land the lead position in this episode of The Friday Rewind.
According to at least a couple of experts, the recruiting crops that deserve
vigorous circling have produced mighty harvests for USC, LSU and UFG
(Florida-Gainesville).
Because high school prospects have few opportunities for head-to-head
confrontations with their peers, prospects often are rated on their ability
to run and drink a 40.
Longtime recruiting expert Tom Lemming bestowed his top ranking upon LSU,
saluting coach Nick Saban for "locking up" the top talent in Louisiana.
With no evidence to hold them, these brand-new Tigers should be out in time
for fall practice.
The strength of its visitation schedule enabled USC to snag the No. 1 tag
from recruiting analyst Allen "SuperPrep" Wallace, who sometimes is confused
with Rick "SuperPrep" James.
The Trojans, whose February fight-song lyric is "Sign on for old 'SC,"
received a recruiting boost from Troy legend and Heisman Trophy winner O.J.
Simpson.
According to sources due west of USC, O.J. pitched in by calling prospective
recruits and assuring them he intends to continue living in Florida for at
least the next five years.
For the record, USC also was credited with the top recruiting class for
incoming song girls on a list compiled by actor Rob Lowe.
Florida's first big post-Steve Spurrier haul included the signing of highly
regarded quarterback Chris Leak. This coup created much rejoicing among
newspaper headline writers who figure to have several options involving
"Leak" and "The Swamp."
Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo just missed cracking the top 10 recruiting classes,
but the Mustangs did sign quarterback Tyler Mariucci, the son of Detroit
Lions coach Steve Mariucci.
SLO didn't announce this signing until Johnnie Cochran called Dennis Green
to see if the unemployed NFL coach has a son who's a senior quarterback.
Unlike many of my reporting peers, I've maintained a keen interest in
football and basketball recruiting. But I also understand how the
big-business aspect of signing day is perceived as unsavory.
These high stakes include a full-page, national newspaper ad placed by Old
Spice. The well-intentioned promotion honors 50 high school players for
their performances inside the red zone.
With Red Zone established as a star on Old Spice's deodorant team, I thought
most of these kids would have signed with Pitt.
NFL
a.. As you probably figured out, the Detroit Lions filled their vacancy by
hiring the aforementioned Mariucci. According to at least one league
insider, Mooch's proven head-coaching track record made him a solid minority
candidate.
So, with things looking up in Motown, the next move for the Ford family is
to announce a recall of Barry Sanders.
a.. An ugly spat starring Indianapolis Colts kicker "Iron" Mike Vanderjagt
and (for now) quarterback teammate Peyton Manning has been downgraded by the
participants. In case you haven't been following along, Iron Mike started it
by crowing about how Peyton and coach Tony Dungy were softies.
Manning responded during a Pro Bowl sideline interview with Lynn Swann,
during which he referred to Vanderjagt as an "idiot" who was "liquored up."
When informed that their remarks were "uncalled for," Mike and Peyton
decided to end that assessment with telephone correspondence.
According to Colts insiders, Manning didn't exactly apologize and now
considers this call as nothing more than an audible.