If YOU were a recruit.

if the coach woulda put me in the 4th quarter of that game, i probably could have gotten a full ride somewhere...

and that place, in my heart was, is, and always has been, Louisiana State University...

but i still would have taken visits....

A lot of times the decisive factor is an intangible X factor: simply where you feel comfortable. And that stems from the relationship/communication you as a recruit develop with the coaching staff; not necessarily how impressive their coaching resumes are but how they interact with you. This is the decisive factor for a lot of recruits.

For some recruits, its about the image. For others, its about early playing time. For others, its about the offensive or defensive scheme. For others, its about location; getting far away or staying close to home. For others, its about being able to play for that school you have always liked for whatever reason since you were a kid.

childhood favorite
great coaching
location
academics

Chance to go pro

If I sucked: Academics
If I was good: Coaching

In reality: LSU or bust

Depends on what kind of a recruit I was.

If I was a mid level recruit, I would probably try to go to the best academic school I could get into.

Degree from Stanford, SMU, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Navy etc is a much better value in $$ than a degree from Ms St, LSU etc. So if its a paid free ride I would be looking to get the best value.

If I was a big time recruit I would go to a big time program.

chicks...

1. childhood favorite Every kid wants to play for his dream team.
2. relationship with coaching staff(and other players) This is more of a negative factor. If a kid doesn't feel comfortable with the staff or the other players, he wont' come.
3. chance of playing early Every kid wants to play from day one. But no one recruited to any major program is accustomed to being second or third string, so they usually expect to play early, regardless of the situation.
4. location Some want to stay close to home so parents and family can come to games. Some want to leave. Some have friends at the school already. Really hard for some kids to travel to a place far away where they know no one. Just a reality for 18 year olds.
5. academics A fallback plan if you can't go pro. But important to smarter kids who want a professional degree or see life after sports.

FOOTBALL
Playing
Winning
Coaches
Red-Shirt
Graduate
Housing
Tradition
Facilities
Conference
Level
Travel

School
Academics/Education
Faculty/Major
Reputation/Connections
Facilities
Familiarity
Cost
Size

Location
Setting
Proximity
Weather
Campus/Aesthetic