The Syracuse football team’s pre-commitment campus visit policy is beneficial for both parties involved, but it must be clearly communicated to all recruits.

The policy states that the football coaching staff will no longer accept a commitment unless the player has visited the Syracuse University campus first. The management of available spots with a visit prerequisite is common among college teams, as it allows coaches to meet and interact with a recruit, rather than only engaging with them remotely.

The rule recognizes extenuating circumstances, such as inability to travel to Syracuse. However, it is also based on the projected value of the player to the roster. This is unfair and the policy should be made applicable to all potential commits, and continue to consider any extenuating circumstances.

The expansion and increased transparency of this policy would hold all recruits to the same standards and would avoid any instances of misunderstanding regarding spot availability.

SU’s director of recruiting operations Eric White said in an interview with The Daily Orange that the coaching staff tries to be upfront with recruits when positions are limited. However, Devon Clarke, an Osceola (Florida) High School defensive back, wasn’t able to commit to the Orange in July because he was unaware of the campus visit rule.

The requirement of in-person visits provides recruits with the opportunity to learn more about the school they are considering and proves that the player views joining the Orange as a serious offer. The visit is equally beneficial for coaches, as they are able to accurately judge the character and physical build of a potential commit, giving the staff the chance to see if the recruit truly deserves a spot on the team.

However, the Orange’s coaching staff has a desired number of players it wants at each position within the 85-scholarship allotment. Once it reaches that number for each recruiting class, the opportunity for other players essentially closes — even if they already have a scholarship offer.

This means that committing is essentially a race, and a player could lose a spot on the team if they are beat to a verbal commit. The possibility of losing out on a commitment opportunity should be transparently presented to all recruits, avoiding any case of confusion or frustration that may stem from these circumstances.

Though the current visit policy strategy is practical, it must be made universal to all potential football commits and be clearly communicated to all players, regardless of their anticipated success on the roster.

Published on September 17, 2015 at 12:26 am

Contact: opinion@dailyorange.com