Ok, these "top #" lists by recruits are out of control

[18IsTheMan]

This 2025 recruit just "released" his top 25.

South Carolina Football: Former Southern Cal commitment lists Gamecocks in early grouping

South Carolina football made the top list for former Southern Cal commit and 4-star defensive back prospect Jett White from Los Alamitos, California.

garnetandcocky.com

The article references another recruit who just put out his top 22.

This all started innocently enough, with ESPN broadcasting the #1 overall recruit's LOI signing ceremony. Now every 4* recruit with a smartphone releases a "top #", some kind of "shock the world" statement and we get broadcasts of commitments from recruits who aren't even in the top 100.

 

[Backscrather]

Don't see Clemson. That's all I care about.

 

[Gradstudent]

Don't see Clemson. That's all I care about.

 

[Big JC]

A lot of these kids are prima donna attention whores. They think the entire world is hanging on their every move.

 

[Tngamecock]

Makes me want to join Twitter just so I can tell them no one gives a crap. But I will continue my avoidance of all social media except for fgf and rivals gcock scoop.

 

[ToddFlanders]

It’s silly, but it’s also what people do today. Everyone wants clicks and likes.

I mean, they do have something of interest to post. The sports press, coaches and fans do want to know where these kids are heading. At least it’s not some inane restaurant picture on Instagram of someone with a knife and fork in hand, with their mouth open over a plate of food.

 

[Backscrather]

It’s silly, but it’s also what people do today. Everyone wants clicks and likes.

I mean

No one cares, Todd.

 

[Horseshoe04]

my top couple of web sites are Gamecock Central Forums, the football page, the other pages,

 

[18IsTheMan]

Another top recruit, Ethan Barbour (2025, 4* TE) just released his top 8, which includes us.

One thing I hate about these lists is that it gives false hope. We may be in the final 8, but we're most likely a longshot at best. Even though you know he's most likely not coming here, there's always that "well, we're in his top 8, so you never know?" And that creates the idea that you missed on him. If you're listed in his top 5 schools, when it comes to signing day and he passes your hat over, it creates a "oh well, they missed on another one" when, in reality, out of the 5 schools he listed, he might have only had 2% interest in your program.

I suppose the solution is to not follow recruiting at all and just be pleasantly surprised when we get a good one and be totally unaware when we "miss" on good ones.

 

[Big JC]

Another top recruit, Ethan Barbour (2025, 4* TE) just released his top 8, which includes us.

One thing I hate about these lists is that it gives false hope. We may be in the final 8, but we're most likely a longshot at best. Even though you know he's most likely not coming here, there's always that "well, we're in his top 8, so you never know?" And that creates the idea that you missed on him. If you're listed in his top 5 schools, when it comes to signing day and he passes your hat over, it creates a "oh well, they missed on another one" when, in reality, out of the 5 schools he listed, he might have only had 2% interest in your program.

I suppose the solution is to not follow recruiting at all and just be pleasantly surprised when we get a good one and be totally unaware when we "miss" on good ones.

Top 8? Really! He should just say "I'm still looking at a lot of schools". A kid putting out a "top 8" list screams "ATTENTION *****!!" to me.

I really don't follow recruiting. I'll notice when a commitment is announced but, most of the time, I don't even know who the kid is or anything about him.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I really don't follow recruiting. I'll notice when a commitment is announced but, most of the time, I don't even know who the kid is or anything about him.

That's probably the best way to be.

And, yes, announcing these top lists creates attention and desire from other fan bases and programs. If a recruit was honest and said "I'm really only considering UGA" where's the fun in that?