And then there are the contradictions within our own thought processes. A common one is the praising of a recruit's character and goods sense
(The popular phrasing is "good head on his shoulders." ) based on nothing more than his choosing our school. When a recruit is up for grabs, we hope he makes the "right" choice, and if he doesn't we'll say: "If he wants to go there, he's not the kind of kid we thought he was. Him and Rival U will be perfect for each other." That's how we do it. We want the kid until he doesn't want us. Look, kid, you're gonna do the hooking or you're gonna get hooked. You're either a Gator or you're gator bait. A recruit who selects my school made a well-reasoned decision. If he selected Rival U then he's been sweet-talked and I feel sorry for him, sorry that he fell for whatever lies and gifts they showered on him. I'm not sure I would want a kid so easily swayed, a kid of such flimsy character, playing for my team anyway.
If my team has a need at corner and a great in-state cornerback decides to go elsewhere, my response is: What's wrong with these kids? Don't they have computers? Can't they see the depth chart? That other program must have given him a Lincoln Navigator and a bunch of gift cards to Chipotle! Yet when a guy who might have to wait a couple years to play commits to my school, that young man is a bastion of wisdom and foresight. Instead of being seduced by the siren song of immediate playing time, he has chosen his new home according to higher concerns. He liked the family atmosphere and the commitment to doing things the right way.
