For young athletes leaving high school and seeking to attend the right university, Wednesday, February 6th had to have been one of the most important days of their lives. It was a momentous day for both the young players and for the universities involved. A great deal of time and energy went into researching just which of these guys would be best for which schools. The hopes and dreams of both athletes and schools were on the line on Feb. 6.
Choosing the right place to go to college is a very important decision and, in most cases, not an easy one. Remember, these guys are 17-18 years old and many are still in high school. Most of them are living at home with their parents…..still getting an allowance…..still borrowing the car for a Friday night date.
They are young people and they are being wooed by some very high powered folks who have practiced and perfected the art of convincing athletes that their school is the best. Some travel to several different universities and speak with the various head coached and school officials before making their decision.
Robert Nkemdiche was the number one pick in the 2013 college draft. He could have gone to just about any university in the land. He traveled to Gainesville to speak with the Gators and to Baton Rouge where he found Shaq O’Neal backing up Les Miles’ efforts to convince him to come to LSU. In the end, he chose to join his older brother at Oxford to attend and play football for Ole Miss.
Ole Miss Head Coach Hugh Freeze must have come up with a really good pitch this year because he also bagged Laremy Tunsil, another top rated prospect, to join the Rebels next season.
Winning the National Championship has always been one of the best recruiting tools out these. Winning it two years in a row is sure to bring you the cream of the crop for next year. Everyone wants to play on a winning team. Nick Saban of Alabama, as expected, had a banner recruiting year and added to his already formidable locker room roster.
Many young football players see their move to college as a major step on the way to landing a job with an NFL team and signing that high dollar contract that will put him in the “high cotton” and build that dream house for Mama.
