Recruiting Utah?

[BackHarlowRoad]

It's pretty rad that our coaches take the time to respond to fan emails. With legit responses no less.

To paraphrase Rahl (in my words) "Based on research and logic, Utah kids don't care about Wyoming, so it's a waste of time."

 

[BeaverPoke]

It's pretty rad that our coaches take the time to respond to fan emails. With legit responses no less.

To paraphrase Rahl (in my words) "Based on research and logic, Utah kids don't care about Wyoming, so it's a waste of time."

I liked that response. It wasn't what I expected. I thought it would be "We recruit the best players regardless of location, Thanks, Bye."

 

[SLCPoke]

So....we won't fight Utah State and BYU for kids but we'll go after kids like this?

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/150098/alex-van-dyke" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/168456/connor-humphreys" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/171958/dallis-todd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/172761/blake-hance" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I realize that California is a much bigger pond, but Utah produces some great quality on a "per capita" basis....It was interesting emailing Rahl back and forth and learning a bit about the recruiting process. I still think that Wyo should be throwing some offers at Utah kids every year! I'd love to have these three kids out of Utah:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1093006/sky-manu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ...brings the wood!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oRjZuxsRx8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ....FAST
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/895164/highlights/43415382" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ...good sized cover corner

These kids would rank between 15th (at the highest) and 30th as far as Utah Football Prospects for the 2014 class going into their senior years....

 

[djm19]

Good stuff. I agree. I am not convinced that Utah doesn't have 2-3 players willing to play at UW. I think we are missing some great opportunities. At least try. Weber State always gets 2-3 kids from Utah that end up being decent players. UW will lose the battle to Utah, BYU and MAYBE USU, but there are a lot of athletes to go around.

 

[SLCPoke]

Good stuff. I agree. I am not convinced that Utah doesn't have 2-3 players willing to play at UW. I think we are missing some great opportunities. At least try. Weber State always gets 2-3 kids from Utah that end up being decent players. UW will lose the battle to Utah, BYU and MAYBE USU, but there are a lot of athletes to go around.

Agreed- plus, if you don't try and develop the relationships, it surely won't develop. Things don't happen on their own in those regards!

 

[SLCPoke]

Good stuff. I agree. I am not convinced that Utah doesn't have 2-3 players willing to play at UW. I think we are missing some great opportunities. At least try. Weber State always gets 2-3 kids from Utah that end up being decent players. UW will lose the battle to Utah, BYU and MAYBE USU, but there are a lot of athletes to go around.

by the way....LOVE your avatar haha! Are you planning on going to the USU/WYO game up in Logan?

 

[djm19]

Good stuff. I agree. I am not convinced that Utah doesn't have 2-3 players willing to play at UW. I think we are missing some great opportunities. At least try. Weber State always gets 2-3 kids from Utah that end up being decent players. UW will lose the battle to Utah, BYU and MAYBE USU, but there are a lot of athletes to go around.

by the way....LOVE your avatar haha! Are you planning on going to the USU/WYO game up in Logan?

headed to home opener and maybe Boise. Yeah, I will head to Logan. I graduated from USU. That game, all loyalty is gone. Sitting in the Northwest endzone.

 

[BackHarlowRoad]

So....we won't fight Utah State and BYU for kids but we'll go after kids like this?

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/150098/alex-van-dyke" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/168456/connor-humphreys" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/171958/dallis-todd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/172761/blake-hance" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I realize that California is a much bigger pond, but Utah produces some great quality on a "per capita" basis....It was interesting emailing Rahl back and forth and learning a bit about the recruiting process. I still think that Wyo should be throwing some offers at Utah kids every year! I'd love to have these three kids out of Utah:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1093006/sky-manu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ...brings the wood!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oRjZuxsRx8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ....FAST
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/895164/highlights/43415382" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ...good sized cover corner

These kids would rank between 15th (at the highest) and 30th as far as Utah Football Prospects for the 2014 class going into their senior years....

Just because we offered a kid doesn't mean we invested a ton of time into it. If I meet a hot girl, I might as well throw her my phone number even though she might not use it.

Why don't you take Rahl's advice and do some of the recruiting on your own on those three kids and send him what you've come up with. Find out how they'd be a good fit and why you think they'd be interested in Wyoming.

Also, if we start going out of our way to recruit FCS players (Weber), won't we end up playing at an FCS level? ....or should I say continue playing at an FCS level? hahaha jk

 

[WyoAlum1987]

Screw Utah, we need to recruit Samoa

 

[BackHarlowRoad]

Screw Utah, we need to recruit Samoa

I should tell a story from a couple years ago. I spent a Thanksgiving with my boss and his family. They are LDS and I was literally the only one there who wasn't. Anyway, they invited 3 elders on a mission, one of whom was Samoan....literally right off the boat by a week or two. I mentioned I was from Wyoming and the Samoan kid says "Wyoming?? Doesn't Wyoming hate Mormons?"

True story. Good thing only 12% of Samoa is LDS, we can recruit the group that doesn't think we hate them.

 

[SLCPoke]

So....we won't fight Utah State and BYU for kids but we'll go after kids like this?

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/150098/alex-van-dyke" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/168456/connor-humphreys" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/171958/dallis-todd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/172761/blake-hance" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I realize that California is a much bigger pond, but Utah produces some great quality on a "per capita" basis....It was interesting emailing Rahl back and forth and learning a bit about the recruiting process. I still think that Wyo should be throwing some offers at Utah kids every year! I'd love to have these three kids out of Utah:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1093006/sky-manu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ...brings the wood!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oRjZuxsRx8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ....FAST
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/895164/highlights/43415382" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ...good sized cover corner

These kids would rank between 15th (at the highest) and 30th as far as Utah Football Prospects for the 2014 class going into their senior years....

Just because we offered a kid doesn't mean we invested a ton of time into it. If I meet a hot girl, I might as well throw her my phone number even though she might not use it.

Why don't you take Rahl's advice and do some of the recruiting on your own on those three kids and send him what you've come up with. Find out how they'd be a good fit and why you think they'd be interested in Wyoming.

Also, if we start going out of our way to recruit FCS players (Weber), won't we end up playing at an FCS level? ....or should I say continue playing at an FCS level? hahaha jk

I actually already did send him all of their info, what I've heard about them as far as who's showing interest and why I think Wyoming could snag a couple. I think that if we can continue to recruit some kids out of Washington with a lot of vowels in their names it will help us recruit those same type of names in Utah. I also realize just because we offer doesn't mean we put a lot of time into these kids. I know for a fact that if Wyoming put some time into both of those DB's they could get them to seriously consider Wyoming. You'll only bring out of it what you put into it. Anyways, the point is that Utah is a border state, and I think that we should be recruiting our the two bordering states with larger metro area's pretty hard (Utah, and of course the one we already recruit hard , Colorado).

 

[SLCPoke]

Also-

here is how he replied to my follow up email in which I thanked him for the detailed response, talked about these 3 kids and then continue to ask how they "recruit" or find out about kids in this state. This was his response:


We purchase a program called Collegiate Sports Data which is one of the best if not the best database information system in the country. CSD provides us with the list of names and recommendations from high school coaches across the USA. We purchase Utah and other secondary areas. From there we split those areas up with our Graduate Assistants and Recruiting office to comb through the areas. If we find a prospect in those areas we then pass them over to be recruited by the position coaches. Thanks for the names!!

Matt Rahl
Recruiting Coordinator
Wyoming Football
http://www.coachchristensen.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm very impressed with how candid he was and how quickly he would respond to my emails. If this topic hasn't done anything else it's helped me feel closer to the program(with the detailed and quick responses). Although it has certainly given me an interesting look into how these kids are recruited in these secondary areas.

 

[BackHarlowRoad]

Good for you, man. I think this is all pretty awesome. If I come across a promising kid I'll send you the name now, WyoNation recruiting coordinator!

 

[SLCPoke]

Good for you, man. I think this is all pretty awesome. If I come across a promising kid I'll send you the name now, WyoNation recruiting coordinator!

Haha....well, he did send some pretty responsive emails, however that doesn't mean he REALLY gives 2 shits about my opinion!! I will sure pretend like he did though!

 

[NowherePoke]

Screw Utah, we need to recruit Samoa

I should tell a story from a couple years ago. I spent a Thanksgiving with my boss and his family. They are LDS and I was literally the only one there who wasn't. Anyway, they invited 3 elders on a mission, one of whom was Samoan....literally right off the boat by a week or two. I mentioned I was from Wyoming and the Samoan kid says "Wyoming?? Doesn't Wyoming hate Mormons?"

True story. Good thing only 12% of Samoa is LDS, we can recruit the group that doesn't think we hate them.

..and where would they have learned that? That is the direct influence of those raised in the bubble (likely Utah County) promoting their point of view.

The really sad thing about that type of ignorance is that there are of course many LDS folks in Wyoming. My hometown is at least 1/3 LDS (probably higher) and the same is true throughout the western part of the state (or even more in places like the Bridger Valley, Big Horn Basin, etc.).

 

[BackHarlowRoad]

Screw Utah, we need to recruit Samoa

I should tell a story from a couple years ago. I spent a Thanksgiving with my boss and his family. They are LDS and I was literally the only one there who wasn't. Anyway, they invited 3 elders on a mission, one of whom was Samoan....literally right off the boat by a week or two. I mentioned I was from Wyoming and the Samoan kid says "Wyoming?? Doesn't Wyoming hate Mormons?"

True story. Good thing only 12% of Samoa is LDS, we can recruit the group that doesn't think we hate them.

..and where would they have learned that? That is the direct influence of those raised in the bubble (likely Utah County) promoting their point of view.

The really sad thing about that type of ignorance is that there are of course many LDS folks in Wyoming. My hometown is at least 1/3 LDS (probably higher) and the same is true throughout the western part of the state (or even more in places like the Bridger Valley, Big Horn Basin, etc.).

Yup. #1) Utah #2) Idaho #3) Wyoming in terms of % of LDS.

 

[djm19]

Screw Utah, we need to recruit Samoa

I should tell a story from a couple years ago. I spent a Thanksgiving with my boss and his family. They are LDS and I was literally the only one there who wasn't. Anyway, they invited 3 elders on a mission, one of whom was Samoan....literally right off the boat by a week or two. I mentioned I was from Wyoming and the Samoan kid says "Wyoming?? Doesn't Wyoming hate Mormons?"

True story. Good thing only 12% of Samoa is LDS, we can recruit the group that doesn't think we hate them.

..and where would they have learned that? That is the direct influence of those raised in the bubble (likely Utah County) promoting their point of view.

The really sad thing about that type of ignorance is that there are of course many LDS folks in Wyoming. My hometown is at least 1/3 LDS (probably higher) and the same is true throughout the western part of the state (or even more in places like the Bridger Valley, Big Horn Basin, etc.).

I have more issues with people of my own faith in Utah County than anywhere. Just goofier than a three dollar bill. Billboards are goofy. Stores are goofy. Entertainment is goofy. SL County has its fair share, but Utah county is an odd place.

 

[SLCPoke]

Screw Utah, we need to recruit Samoa

I should tell a story from a couple years ago. I spent a Thanksgiving with my boss and his family. They are LDS and I was literally the only one there who wasn't. Anyway, they invited 3 elders on a mission, one of whom was Samoan....literally right off the boat by a week or two. I mentioned I was from Wyoming and the Samoan kid says "Wyoming?? Doesn't Wyoming hate Mormons?"

True story. Good thing only 12% of Samoa is LDS, we can recruit the group that doesn't think we hate them.

..and where would they have learned that? That is the direct influence of those raised in the bubble (likely Utah County) promoting their point of view.

The really sad thing about that type of ignorance is that there are of course many LDS folks in Wyoming. My hometown is at least 1/3 LDS (probably higher) and the same is true throughout the western part of the state (or even more in places like the Bridger Valley, Big Horn Basin, etc.).

I have more issues with people of my own faith in Utah County than anywhere. Just goofier than a three dollar bill. Billboards are goofy. Stores are goofy. Entertainment is goofy. SL County has its fair share, but Utah county is an odd place.

Utah County is bad!! I also hear out here how Wyoming hates Mormons. While there are a fair share of ignorant ass's in Wyoming, I wouldn't say for the most part that Wyoming hates Mormons- which seems to be the stigma. I'm from Wyoming....even the eastern side and I don't hate Mormons, I guess the fact that I am one probably accounts for that! Haha, but seriously, I think that Wyoming just hates BYU- I have a harder time believing that the state hates Mormons with such a high population of them! BTW, I really do hate Utah County.....it's a weird place.