Posted by artie40 on 2/12/2014 12:05:00 PM (view original):
Posted by headpirate on 2/12/2014 10:33:00 AM (view original):
I think there is a difference between D3 C- (rebuild) and D3 A+, in that if you are new to school and rebuilding, or your rebuild just has not gone as desired, there is "value" (broad meaning) in waiting on all aspects of recruiting until signing day or after. Consider the other thread regarding looking for abilities and not ratings, and disregard any potential growth, any Recruit pursued "blind" should be better than what is already on roster. You do not need the best recruit in the country or even in your backyard, you need better than what is on the roster.
Also I tend to think there is alot of emphasis placed on "potential" growth, to the extent of devaluing current ratings. I recently recruited a player "blind" because his attributes I was most interested in and his ability to play a role were already at acceptable levels.
Back to the point above, the distinction I was making was not value or hindrance of prestige (which at D3 can be overcome, if willing to spend), but the difference in "value" if willing to wait. If the recruit is a borderline D2/All-American D3, the A+ team will get first shot on a drop down or might even be recruiting the player as a seen D3. With D3 players being inherently flawed, it is very seldom you will find one that does everything -- and if you do, someone else has found that player as well and now you have to spend for him. For the same budget spent on just that 1 recruit, you could spread it between 2 and get the same ability (the whole of 2 players being better than 1). it is possible to recruit coast-to-coast for $1500 or less (excludes FSS).
As the teams roster improves, maybe there becomes a better incentive to protect your 200 mile zone or maybe that 1 recruit makes the finite difference in advancing the next round in the NT.
Most of my experience is at D3, only 1 season (I think) at D2. So this may be limited input.
I'm interested in this discussion because I find that there is often a great deal of value and people falling through the cracks at the end of the recruiting cycle. Also, one of the best coaches on these boards (I forget who) wrote once, "I could build a perennial NT team by waiting until the last day of signings to recruit" and that always struck me as interesting.
The idea that a player has good baseline ratings and if they get better from there it's all gravy is interesting. Have you used this mostly when building your team? Perhaps to fill a roster role? What if that player keeps the good ratings but barely improves otherwise, have you ever dropped one of these players?
Here is the player I recruited blind: http://www.whatifsports.com/hd/PlayerProfile/Ratings.aspx?tid=0&pid=2665168. Play a Flex/FCP. ATH/DEF/REB/LP/PER came in Red; SPD/BLK(which I do not account for)/STA came in Black; BH/PA came in Blue. I probably will keep this player all 4 years, although by the time he is a SR he may be getting role player minutes. This is Wash Jeff Tark, had team previously, quit game for awhile and when came back they were open.
I have read aejones manifesto, but also got mentoring advice during my first tour and this strategy tended to work well. I very seldom got the stellar recruit everyone talked about, but as a whole the teams usually play well together. I recruit to FCP def first, and this recruit fits close to my "ideal" 4, which he could have done without much more improvement. With some improvement in SPD/BH/PA, I think I am also getting a sometimes 3.
As for late/post signing recruiting, it takes patience and focus. Almost always recruiting 1 player at a time. Someone also mentioned "pre"-scouting the state to make sure there are worthwhile number of recruits. Once signings have occurred I pick my initial preferred recruit, check to see if more identified recruits are from same state, or after FSS check the rest of recruits. Once the recruit signs, I move to the next.
While watching recruits make drastic improvements is fun, it is also nice being able to use the recruit in a meaningful way sooner. Since I play FCP, I want all players available (very seldom would I RS anyone). It is nice to see a 35/35/35 ATH/SPD/DEF improve to 60's, but for 1st 2 seasons the recruit is not contributing anything meaningful. The recruit that comes in 50/50/50 and improves to same 60 has more meaningful playing time sooner.
By FSS late and recruiting 1 at a time, I take the 1st player that fills a role or ability on my team. While it is fun taking Jabari Parker, I am just as satisfied with 5 Shawn Larkins.
Edit: I almost edited out some paragraphs, but considering my lack of NT titles I doubt I am breaking any new ground here. And if I am completely wrong, maybe someone will point it out, I can make corrections, and then get a title this time around.
2/12/2014 4:24 PM (edited)