There has been some talk lately about Weber's recruiting practices. Why there aren't more local recruits signing with the Cat? Why Weber doesn't have more Utah players? Why isn't Weber more competitive for local recruits? Etc, etc, etc...
First and foremost, Weber, regrettably, is the fourth of the Big Five, and will always be an after thought for most of the NCAA Division 1 calibre athletes that are found in Utah, which aren't many. Next, after the initial three or four DI athletes available, there isn't much else to be found. The other's (who wouldn't help Weber maintain its conference supremacy) end up at SUU, UVU, SLCC, Snow, Dixie, or CEU-USU.
Weber wants to be competitive in the Sky, aka, be contending annually for the Big Sky Crown and a place in the NCAA Tournament. Next, Weber wants to be able to contend for the Bucket against the in-state teams, and finally, continue our steller basketball legacy.
Fact of the matter is that Utah, BYU, USU will always get more attention for the Utah/SLC media with Weber getting some after-thought attention every now and again.
Does this mean that Weber doesn't try to go after local recruits? No...I think most of the members on the forum would be shocked to discover how involved in local recruiting the coaches are. Hayden Schenck may be the top scorer in the state and be at Weber High, but is he a DI calibre athlete? Would he be a guy who could help the teams current development and improve the program or just take up a scholarship. Matt Emadi was the top 5A player at one time, came to Weber, and rarely saw the floor. On the flip side, Nic Sparrow, Lance Allred, Dan Henry, Brody Van Brocklin, Steve Panos, and Darin Mahoney are recent Utahans who have played for the Cats and really done well. I think, when it comes to Weber, it really depends on a number of factors. Are the player we are recruiting in Utah, as good, have as much potential, as tough as and will out work the guys we are recruiting out of state. McKay Cannon and Fuller, at least in my opinion, should be considered local guys. There really isn't a lot of difference from Southeast Idaho and Northern Utah.
Also, Weber did recruit, and was a finalist for Jordan Loveridge, Brian Green, Jared Quayle, Nate Bendall, Big Red Wilkinson, Nate Austin, Tyler Haws (it was between BYU, Utah State, and Weber), Sean Green, Eric Mika, and a bunch of other guys. These guys made a decision that would be best for them. For their educational and basketball development. No matter, Weber is involved in instate recruiting and pursuing a number of instate recruits. But we have to remember, how will these instate guys affect our team. If we can get far more talented guys out of state, then keep recruiting out of state. If we can get a gem in Utah, so be it. Recruiting is a tough element to analyze. But I really think it is important to realize that the coaches are definitely recruiting instate guys.
First and foremost, Weber, regrettably, is the fourth of the Big Five, and will always be an after thought for most of the NCAA Division 1 calibre athletes that are found in Utah, which aren't many. Next, after the initial three or four DI athletes available, there isn't much else to be found. The other's (who wouldn't help Weber maintain its conference supremacy) end up at SUU, UVU, SLCC, Snow, Dixie, or CEU-USU.
Weber wants to be competitive in the Sky, aka, be contending annually for the Big Sky Crown and a place in the NCAA Tournament. Next, Weber wants to be able to contend for the Bucket against the in-state teams, and finally, continue our steller basketball legacy.
Fact of the matter is that Utah, BYU, USU will always get more attention for the Utah/SLC media with Weber getting some after-thought attention every now and again.
Does this mean that Weber doesn't try to go after local recruits? No...I think most of the members on the forum would be shocked to discover how involved in local recruiting the coaches are. Hayden Schenck may be the top scorer in the state and be at Weber High, but is he a DI calibre athlete? Would he be a guy who could help the teams current development and improve the program or just take up a scholarship. Matt Emadi was the top 5A player at one time, came to Weber, and rarely saw the floor. On the flip side, Nic Sparrow, Lance Allred, Dan Henry, Brody Van Brocklin, Steve Panos, and Darin Mahoney are recent Utahans who have played for the Cats and really done well. I think, when it comes to Weber, it really depends on a number of factors. Are the player we are recruiting in Utah, as good, have as much potential, as tough as and will out work the guys we are recruiting out of state. McKay Cannon and Fuller, at least in my opinion, should be considered local guys. There really isn't a lot of difference from Southeast Idaho and Northern Utah.
Also, Weber did recruit, and was a finalist for Jordan Loveridge, Brian Green, Jared Quayle, Nate Bendall, Big Red Wilkinson, Nate Austin, Tyler Haws (it was between BYU, Utah State, and Weber), Sean Green, Eric Mika, and a bunch of other guys. These guys made a decision that would be best for them. For their educational and basketball development. No matter, Weber is involved in instate recruiting and pursuing a number of instate recruits. But we have to remember, how will these instate guys affect our team. If we can get far more talented guys out of state, then keep recruiting out of state. If we can get a gem in Utah, so be it. Recruiting is a tough element to analyze. But I really think it is important to realize that the coaches are definitely recruiting instate guys.
