September 11, 2008

It is no secret that college football has become a “big boys club” with the BCS schools leading the way with millions of dollars.  Schools are beefing up their facilities, locker rooms, and stadiums in order to lure recruits to their institutions.  Schools are also investing a lot in coaches with the hopes that their teams can produce enough wins to grab the attention of the sought after recruits.

If you think this game is just about the records your wrong, this game could have very prosperous recruiting implications.  California has been a hot bed for college sports teams.  They have some of the best high school programs in the country.  Colleges like BYU and UCLA are trying very hard to attract the attention of high school recruits, a win for one of these schools could be fruitful next February when recruits choose which school they will attend.  Coach Neuheisal was quoted in the Salt Lake Tribune as he talked about recruiting LDS kids,

“I know that BYU is going to recruit very aggressively, especially for these LDS [Church] kids, and we have a number of great, successful LDS kids here,” he said, noting the faith of injured quarterback Ben Olson and freshman quarterback Kevin Prince.
“So we feel like we’ve got a great place for kids of the Mormon faith to come and not only get a lot out of the college experience, but continue to practice their faith.”

BYU is attempting to attract the best LDS players from around the country.  The Cougars aren’t just promoting their on-field success, but they are also appealing to the LDS players by running a program that focuses on their spirituality and character.  These “other” aspects of the BYU program are something that should be appealing to LDS high school players and parents.  Coach Mendenhall has become more than just a coach.  He has taken the role of mentor and spiritual leader in the efforts of trying to produce not only great players, but quality men.

Yet, now a days BYU isn’t the only school looking to offer the LDS players scholorships.  UCLA is not affraid of recruiting LDS players that may or may not go on missions.  A win against this UCLA team really could help some California athletes decided that BYU is a place where they could come to not only win, but have the chance to play in a new year bowl and the NFL.  Look at all the players from California on our team, lots of them have high school teammates that play on UCLA’s team.  This game will not only show case the Cali Cougars individual talents, but it will give them some cred when they go home.  Winning this game could be a way for BYU to appeal to the perspective Cali players.  A BYU win will not only preserve the quest for perfection, it could help raise an eye brow of a few coveted players from the player rich state of California, which will help BYU close the gap between the BCS “big boys” and the, “good for a mountain west” team (man I hate the versus announcers!).