Recruiting really comes down to trust, relationships, and belief. With NIL, there is a compensation component of it too. But ignore that for a second.
Trust = parents want to trust that their kid will be taken care of and will be put in position to succeed in life (football and otherwise). Kids need to trust the person recruiting them isn’t full of shit. Consider what has transpired over the past year and ask yourself if you could “trust” Michigan. Their HC just went full Michael Scott and their outgoing OC trashed the admin badly on his way out the door… taking a lateral move. This is sometimes also called “comfort level” or “fit.”
Relationships = who on that staff is a relationship builder? Elston?
Belief = past success can create belief in future success. Vision and team culture can do the same thing. Right now, if you’re a college prospect with other choices, you’re sitting there questioning everything about Michigan except that their offense should be good this year and McCarthy looks like an NFL player who should be there 2-4 more years. Looking at 2024 and beyond what is there to “believe” in besides that? Not the coaches. Not the admin. Not their NIL program.
ND is doing so well right now for the exact reasons Michigan is doing poorly… players trust the staff and school (look at Carr’s comments about the honest conversation of what happens when Rees leaves!); Freeman and this staff are top to bottom great relationship builders NOT salesmen; players believe that Freeman is going to bring in the coaches and talent needed to succeed at the highest levels.
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