We have consistently said that “Michigan does not and will not pay a recruit to come to Michigan.” Clearly we don’t, and we can see the result. The question is, how long can we continue?
What about other schools? Take Notre Dame, for example. Their president and athletic director have both said that they will not pay a recruit to come to Notre Dame. But at this point they have the second-ranked ‘23 class, with 21 four-star recruits, 15 of whom are ranked in the top 200.
Both the ND officials are telling the truth, but are being very disingenuous. The difference between Notre Dame and Michigan is that they have turned their wealthy alumni loose to do exactly what their officials are saying the school itself does not do. They’ve actually set up a mechanism that aligns their wealthy donors with recruits who they really want to sign — and it’s working.
I’m quite certain Michigan has more wealthy donors who are willing to “play the game”, but are probably being discouraged from doing so. Should we continue to be one of the only schools steadfastly refusing to compensate recruits? Our principal rival makes no bones about how to attract top recruits. Ohio State actually calls their donors together and tells them what payments to players are necessary. Ryan Day recently told a group of donors that “the number” for next year is $13 million!
How long do we stick with the no pay for play recruiting rule? Another couple of years of recruiting classes ranked in the 20’s and 5-6th in the Big Ten?
What about other schools? Take Notre Dame, for example. Their president and athletic director have both said that they will not pay a recruit to come to Notre Dame. But at this point they have the second-ranked ‘23 class, with 21 four-star recruits, 15 of whom are ranked in the top 200.
Both the ND officials are telling the truth, but are being very disingenuous. The difference between Notre Dame and Michigan is that they have turned their wealthy alumni loose to do exactly what their officials are saying the school itself does not do. They’ve actually set up a mechanism that aligns their wealthy donors with recruits who they really want to sign — and it’s working.
I’m quite certain Michigan has more wealthy donors who are willing to “play the game”, but are probably being discouraged from doing so. Should we continue to be one of the only schools steadfastly refusing to compensate recruits? Our principal rival makes no bones about how to attract top recruits. Ohio State actually calls their donors together and tells them what payments to players are necessary. Ryan Day recently told a group of donors that “the number” for next year is $13 million!
How long do we stick with the no pay for play recruiting rule? Another couple of years of recruiting classes ranked in the 20’s and 5-6th in the Big Ten?
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