Coach Kill's responses to queries on today's Sports Huddle:
1) Sid asked about the routine in tendering an offer to a recruit: They're on the radar when you see them in camp, at games and film. Then it's talking to the coaches and visits to the recruit's school . . . checking out character, academics, and "want to attitude." Five star recruits are the finished product, "What you see is what you get." They're there now (never any guarantees, however). Unfinished products are recruits that are maturing and growing physically, athletically . . . what's their upside. We look at academics and the recruits class attendance records and core subjects. 'You have to want to have an education," if you're to succeed at the college level. "How bad do you want an education is the hardest to evaluate." (Want to is most important . . . "I was a heckuva better student in college than in high school.)
2) "Gut feeling" recruiting: Sid referenced Marion Barber receiving the last scholarship offer avaliable by coach Mason. Coach Kill said, "You never give a scholarship away." Kill went on to say he was confident Mason had a strong, positive "gut feeling" about Marion Barber before he tendered the offer.
3) Walkons: It's harder to get skill position walkons then OL/DL, etc. They look for length, speed and smarts in recruiting walkons. "I look to scholarship walkons" (those that contribute). "Do we scholarship all walkons? No". But they look for players that can play and not just to be a punching bag for the starters and backups. He encourages walkons to follow their dreams. They can always transfer down and not have to sit out a year, which isn't the case when players transfer up to a higher level of footbal.
4) Captains via text message: No selections yet . . . a wait and see process. Wants to see what occurs over the summer . . . who provides leadership in getting the players to participate in drills. He'll also wait until after two-a-days. The captain role is earned and not given.
5) Two-a-days and single day practices during fall camp: They're allowed 29 practices . . . most teams approach that number, however, you try not to burn out the players. So, most teams complete around 27 practices. Morning workouts, under coach Kill, focus on individual work and fundamentals. Afternoon workouts are group-related.
6) Recruits coming to school early (spring semester): Has mixed feelings about the practice. Would prefer those that come in early are from the state of Minnesota. Homesickness can be a problem. Has its benefits and then cited Marcus Jones spring workouts, but I don't believe he's a big proponent of the practice. Prep school recruitments: just getting started looking prep school play. He went on to speak briefly but glowingly about Josh Campion and his military prep school background (discipline and courtesy). Prep school is basically JC football w/o scholarships and that's the reason for having four year eligibilty when they start college.
7) Recruiting this year: We'll continue to recruit the players that have verballed up through February. Decommits is a fact of recruiting . . . . coach Kill is partial to players that honor their early commitments (talked about the importance of Minnesota high school recruits honoring their verbals). "I feel good about the direction we're going in recruiting."
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid asked about the routine in tendering an offer to a recruit: They're on the radar when you see them in camp, at games and film. Then it's talking to the coaches and visits to the recruit's school . . . checking out character, academics, and "want to attitude." Five star recruits are the finished product, "What you see is what you get." They're there now (never any guarantees, however). Unfinished products are recruits that are maturing and growing physically, athletically . . . what's their upside. We look at academics and the recruits class attendance records and core subjects. 'You have to want to have an education," if you're to succeed at the college level. "How bad do you want an education is the hardest to evaluate." (Want to is most important . . . "I was a heckuva better student in college than in high school.)
2) "Gut feeling" recruiting: Sid referenced Marion Barber receiving the last scholarship offer avaliable by coach Mason. Coach Kill said, "You never give a scholarship away." Kill went on to say he was confident Mason had a strong, positive "gut feeling" about Marion Barber before he tendered the offer.
3) Walkons: It's harder to get skill position walkons then OL/DL, etc. They look for length, speed and smarts in recruiting walkons. "I look to scholarship walkons" (those that contribute). "Do we scholarship all walkons? No". But they look for players that can play and not just to be a punching bag for the starters and backups. He encourages walkons to follow their dreams. They can always transfer down and not have to sit out a year, which isn't the case when players transfer up to a higher level of footbal.
4) Captains via text message: No selections yet . . . a wait and see process. Wants to see what occurs over the summer . . . who provides leadership in getting the players to participate in drills. He'll also wait until after two-a-days. The captain role is earned and not given.
5) Two-a-days and single day practices during fall camp: They're allowed 29 practices . . . most teams approach that number, however, you try not to burn out the players. So, most teams complete around 27 practices. Morning workouts, under coach Kill, focus on individual work and fundamentals. Afternoon workouts are group-related.
6) Recruits coming to school early (spring semester): Has mixed feelings about the practice. Would prefer those that come in early are from the state of Minnesota. Homesickness can be a problem. Has its benefits and then cited Marcus Jones spring workouts, but I don't believe he's a big proponent of the practice. Prep school recruitments: just getting started looking prep school play. He went on to speak briefly but glowingly about Josh Campion and his military prep school background (discipline and courtesy). Prep school is basically JC football w/o scholarships and that's the reason for having four year eligibilty when they start college.
7) Recruiting this year: We'll continue to recruit the players that have verballed up through February. Decommits is a fact of recruiting . . . . coach Kill is partial to players that honor their early commitments (talked about the importance of Minnesota high school recruits honoring their verbals). "I feel good about the direction we're going in recruiting."
Go Gophers!!
