Non business-type crootin or a National Championship? Hypothetical choice

be good if  your coach could give a bit of insight into the situations when the rules permit. Right now you really only hear one side of the story.  Not that he necessarily owes anyone answers--and question/answer sessions doesn't seem to be Harbaugh's thing, but there is a lot of noise out there right now.  A statement of policy might be good. 

As someone who deals with recruiting on a daily basis in a different sport, softball, let me offer some perspective on this topic.  Because, both as a parent (my daughter is a committed 2017) and a liason (I work with our select organization players, over 100) I have a some insight.

1) Football players have the luxury of "collecting offers" from schools, beginning in the 10th grade usually (some offers seem to go out to some select freshmen).  They can take unoffical visits to all these schools and get to know coaches, compare and contrast campuses, research the majors offered, and any other thing that drives their own decision, like weather, etc..

2) All other sports, with the exception of football and basketball, have it MUCH worse.  Let me explain how it works elsewhere.  First, top schools start offering players in 8th grade!  Worse, the average player has from a few weeks to a few months to make a decision, otherwise the coach moves on.  So very young players and their parents have to make a decision on what to do, right now!

An 8th or 9th grader has to decide where they want to go to school.  No comparing to other options (unless they fall into the 10% of players who happen to get multiple offers at one time).  Is this the best I can do? Do they offer what I want to study, which I don't know because I am 15!  And to top it off, there is is added issue of scholarship amount. Unlike the big 2 sports, other athletes are almost always offered partial scholarships (some exceptions like a pitcher, etc) 

So a 9th grader gets an offer from Michigan for softball for 35%.  They family does not have the ability to easily pay for college, so amount does matter.  Do we take it or do we decline and roll the dice that someone will offer more money later?  What if are only other option ends up being Central Michigan for 50% (not trying to be mean, just making a point).

My daugher rolled the dice a few times during the process and we got VERY lucky. Things worked out better for us than I ever could have dreamed of.  Including turning down Wisconsin as a freshmen and learning later she didn't want a huge school.

What I am trying to point out is the while the football system has it's faults, it is 100 times better than softball and the other sports.  These kids get to collect offers for a year or two, get to know schools, coaches, cities, weather, etc.. and then make a decision.  They also have backup plans in place because of this process. 

And they are trying to decide where they will get a FREE education and play the sport they love.  So maybe they don't get their first choice, so what, life isn't fair.  But they still have great options, all of them do!  Those Michigan commits that favor education can pick up the phone and get a free education at a top ranked university.  I promise you that the coaches at non Power 5 schools, yet who are ranked as top education schools, would quickly make room for an ex-Michigan commit.  And those players who care about playing time, or other things, can also quickly pick up the phone and find a coach.

I can also promise you two things.  The coaches are being honest with these kids and parents.  Whether they choose to listen to what is being said is another thing.  Coach says 50/50 a year out, and they know they will be in the top 50%. 

Second, this will have little to no impact on future recuiting.  Why? Because every player believes they are the best, their parents believe they are the best.  And those kids that ended up not attending Michigan after committing wern't as good as I am, I am the guy who is going to start for all 4 years.  Their hubrus will keep this from hurting us the same way it hasn't hurt the SEC, who has been doing this for 20 years and still dominates football today.

We are not, nor should we be, "above" playing by the same rules as everyone else, come down off your high horse please. And remember, coaches are prohibited from telling their side of the story and players and parents are sad and will not tell the truth (most of the time) about how things actually went down.

And if you want to feel sorry for people, I could tell you 50 stories that are much, much worse than a kid who doesnt get to play football at Michigan.  I'll start with the kid who is smart enough to go to college but doesn't have a way to pay or the help to even get in and get loans.

Perspective people, perspective.

GO BLUE!