Spring Break
OSU football recruiting aimed at familial feeling
Punter Johnny Hekker happy with decision to play at Oregon State despite switching from quarterback to punter upon arrival
Patrick Chabreck
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Sports
Mike Riley knows where and how to get the players he wants, but sometimes recruiting is about the person just as much as the player.
When Riley is on the hunt for players he hopes will fill his future rosters, he begins with their athleticism and then looks into their lives as people. There are thousands of high school football players who have the athletic ability to compete in the Pac-10, but sheer skill isn't enough to convince Riley they should be there.
"Athletics draw us to players at first, but we have to get a good feel about who they are," Riley said. "We get to know them, and then we want them."
After decades of competitive recruitment in the NCAA, most PAC-10 schools have matched each other in quality of the education and facilities offered. Oregon State football coaches make sure that there are other parts of the situation that go into a player's decision.
"A guy has to use discernment when separating what's important," Riley said. "Everybody has high stadiums, nice weight rooms and great schooling these days. This is the most important decision in a young man's life. Where you go to college is the first one and who you're going to marry is the second."
There are multiple ideas that the OSU football staff reminds a player of before he decides where to sign; one of those thoughts is what types of people will be surrounding them while they are in the program.
"Some guys like it when their coach drives up in a limo, some like a coach who is hard on them and some prefer a family atmosphere," Riley said. "Simply put, what they are looking for is the right fit."
To figure out where the majority of quality players will be, OSU's coaches look across the nation by population.
Though they do not recruit the state of Texas very heavily, keeping in contact with friends there is part of what brought James and Jacquizz Rodgers to OSU. After James proved himself to the team during his freshman and sophomore years, Riley and his staff wanted to see what his younger brother would bring to the table.
When Riley is on the hunt for players he hopes will fill his future rosters, he begins with their athleticism and then looks into their lives as people. There are thousands of high school football players who have the athletic ability to compete in the Pac-10, but sheer skill isn't enough to convince Riley they should be there.
"Athletics draw us to players at first, but we have to get a good feel about who they are," Riley said. "We get to know them, and then we want them."
After decades of competitive recruitment in the NCAA, most PAC-10 schools have matched each other in quality of the education and facilities offered. Oregon State football coaches make sure that there are other parts of the situation that go into a player's decision.
"A guy has to use discernment when separating what's important," Riley said. "Everybody has high stadiums, nice weight rooms and great schooling these days. This is the most important decision in a young man's life. Where you go to college is the first one and who you're going to marry is the second."
There are multiple ideas that the OSU football staff reminds a player of before he decides where to sign; one of those thoughts is what types of people will be surrounding them while they are in the program.
"Some guys like it when their coach drives up in a limo, some like a coach who is hard on them and some prefer a family atmosphere," Riley said. "Simply put, what they are looking for is the right fit."
To figure out where the majority of quality players will be, OSU's coaches look across the nation by population.
Though they do not recruit the state of Texas very heavily, keeping in contact with friends there is part of what brought James and Jacquizz Rodgers to OSU. After James proved himself to the team during his freshman and sophomore years, Riley and his staff wanted to see what his younger brother would bring to the table.
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