Michigan Football Recruiting: Mailbag Question — Combine Camps
Posted at 4:00pm — 5/15/2008
Michigan Football Recruiting: Mailbag Question — Combine Camps
I had a thought about the Nike Camps I keep hearing reports on. Why are the elite kids going to these camps? Seems like a big waste of time if you have already committed or have offers from the schools you want.
How are the expenses of a trip like this handled? Nike picks up the tab. The report of Will Campbell really got me to thinking. Here is a guy who can go anywhere he wants, knocking over tackling dummies in Happy Valley. I have to imagine he has better things to do with his weekend then trudging up to Happy Valley. If he had to pay his own way, then I am completely lost.
Ziff72
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GBMWolverine Response:
There are a few different reasons kids go to camps/combines/junior days/etc.
1) Just like to compete and play football. This gives them an opportunity to go against the best in the area along with to see how they match up against other kids they have heard about either through recruiting web sites. TV shows, or message boards.
2) Kid will be evaluated at these events for the high school all-star games. If you do not show up at these events then it becomes harder to play in these games. These games are attracting the best of the best, and without attending your chances go down and likely so will your rankings.
3) Get a chance to work on their skills with high-level competition and coaches that can instruct them on things to work on along with seeing how they match up. Sometimes these type of events are the only time elite type talent kids get to go up against other elite talent.
4) Can meet and recruit for their school. Getting to meet and make contacts with other recruits and gives, you chance to try to influence their decision. College coaches have dead times etc, players do not. Kids want to play with great players and if you get to hang out with kids the more comfortable, they will become with other kids.
5) Rankings can either go up or down by not being involved in these combines especially the ones where you are being judged against other kids for the all-star games. You will notice especially the kids that get chosen for the ESPN game their rankings will be a little higher than where they might be on other recruiting sites because they all want to push their game and recruits. Just like posters on message boards kids want to be the best and they also want to try and be an elite player and get ranked higher each time they go out. A lot of kids that are 1, 2, and 3 star kids sometimes do not have a lot of highlight film out on them or have not went to any camps, combines, etc. to get evaluated.
Kids have to find their own way to these events.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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