Now that we’ve shunned the pads and swung full speed into the 3rd season, it’s time to check out our local boys getting after it against some of the brightest talent in the nation as the Under Armour All-American Week got underway at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. The six players that bore the flag of the Bay from Hillsborough and Pinellas showed this time on an individual basis why Tampa Bay has started to become a required stop on the recruiting trail for any and every BCS and beyond program. At least again it is.
Alvin Bailey, Vernon Hargreaves, Richard Benjamin, Trevor Register, St. Pete Catholic’s Ryan Green and Osceola’s Andrew Matyk all were standouts during individuals and 7-on-7 activities with Green and Hargreaves especially turning heads from the droves of scouts in attendance. Hillsborough’s Jordan Sheritt was scheduled to participate, however the Terriers DE was nursing a sprained ankle suffered during a pickup basketball game. If you want a breakdown of the individuals, then see my esteemed colleagues’ articles. The purpose of this one will be to deal with the theme begun earlier this week.
The combine itself is a 1st class event, but just like the BCP Ignite it’s still a business so let’s discuss. In keeping up with the theme of building your brand as a player during the “3rd Season,” it is more apparent than ever that combines (whether local, regional or national) are designed to be used by folks on BOTH ends of the spectrum from players to companies to further pursue their own business models. The biggest differences come from an understanding between what a local combine (such as BCP) can do for you as a recruit versus the intent of the national scale such as Under Armour and the Army All-American events. Just because you get an invite, it doesn’t exempt you from having to pony up the cash.
The first goal is to understand your audience. The national combines are going to expose you to all of the sites and services that you know. Those are the Rivals, the 247’s, the ESS’ and so on. There are writers from seemingly every school that has a site. It isn’t rocket science, if you show out then you will blow out. Meaning your name (even though IT S STILL SHIRTS AND SHORTS) will be everywhere especially to people that don’t exclusively dabble in the recruiting business. Most of the players in attendance at today’s combine have NO official offers, yet are known throughout the recruiting circles therefore they’ll get another chance to prove what they can do if they have an off day.
At a local combine you’ve got national media that are invited (always), but your options are limited. The national folks aren’t going to drop everything they’re doing unless it’s an event with a nationally recognized brand attached to it more times than not. Your audience is full of people that MAY know who you are, but when you stop to think about it there are 6 counties of players that are included here in Tampa Bay. That’s Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk. That’s a lot of talent. With a smaller amount of eyes on staffs all across the area, your margin for error isn’t very big. In fact, in the grand scheme of things you can’t afford (literally) to simply sign up for any and every event so tough choices have to be made. It’s business, not personal though. Just remember that.
There’s varying philosophies with regards to WHO should attend these combines or SHOULD they go if they’re already a known brand. There’s absolutely no use for a combine (other than the pure nature of competition…which is still pretty damn important) to a player that holds 25 offers and another 40lbs of mail from programs. Then again, maybe there is. There’s a guy like TJ Barrett from Wichita Falls, Texas that’s the nations #1 QB for the Class of 2013 (as ranked by some sites) that holds no official offers. The cynic in me says there’s more to it (i.e. grades), but if we look at it from the business side this young man has everything to gain although he’s a nationally recognized name. He hasn’t become a brand yet because people haven’t “bought” into what he’s selling which is himself. Seems to me that someone that is 6-2 190+ lbs and has amassed over 3,000 yards of offense on the ground and air AND from the State of Texas wouldn’t need an ounce of help would he? All this confirms what I’m going to keep preaching and that’s this is a business FIRST folks.
If it sounds like I’m bashing my own company’s model or philosophically hypocritical then I feel as though you’re missing the point completely. I believe I’ve proven over and over that I’m willing to help those that are willing to help themselves. I have no problem (and frankly get a rush) “exposing” a kid to people that should know that their faith in humanity before their faith in first downs can be guaranteed. I don’t care who you are. I like my players to be humans too. Call me crazy.
Do I get annoyed that I can’t find out if a kid that looks like a grown man and could help my college team win a national title until AFTER he’s gone that he’s never going to be close to being eligible? Absolutely, but again I remind you and myself that it’s business. Not everyone succeeds and ultimately it’s on the players to show themselves at the events. Doesn’t matter if you paid $5,000 or $5 you (the player) HAVE TO SHOW UP AND SHOW OUT!
The perception-is-reality culture of social media as mentioned at the beginning of the week has brought us to a crossroads. The ability to choose the RIGHT combine and pair it with the proper marketing of your brand is a juggernaut-in-waiting. We (the media) can make you a star or a goat (and not the greatest of all time either) overnight; literally. It’s called the internet, Twitter, etc. YOU have the ability to ‘combine’ your talents on and off the field in order to make our job easier. It’s a choice. Choose wisely. Be great just like the opportunity that awaits you on the other side once you’ve set your business plan. The business is you. We would like to be all up in yours.