What's the deal with recruit "handlers"

quote:

---

are handlers really that big of a deal in today's recruitment process?

---

yes, bu the majority are just there to help the kids out; i.e. take some pressure off them and get them through the process. Handler is typically used in a negative context, but it can be his HS coach or family friend. Someone who maybe has been through this before and is willing to take all the bs calls and unwanted attention.

quote:

---

with the cam newton situation where it was OK that his dad got money as long as cam was unaware of it, has this now become the norm?

---

no, but kids do get paid. They are not getting paid 200k though and some aren't seeing a dime. IMO, I have no problem with these kids taking handouts.

quote:

---

i't also seems that colleges have unusually large recruiting budgets; more than enough (seemingly) to cover travel expenses. do these factors relate?

---

Not sure what you're asking here.

quote:

---

Not sure what you're asking here.

---

i'm asking if these recruiting budgets are the source of cash payments to recruits.

People get paid to try to sway kids to a particular school. I don't know how common it is and I don't think its crazy amounts on money. But it happens. That's not speculation but the following is:

I wouldn't be surprised if they paid like a couple hundred to "work on" a kid for a school, then a bonus if he signs with them.

quote:

---

Only for really stupid coaches. They at least have to attempt to hide it.

---

Yeah that's typically the booster's job. The schools set things up though. Like a former LSU basketball player's uncle getting a large Christmas bonus and the uncle buying the recruit a vehicle. shite happens everywhere and the only time people get caught is when they're getting to cocky with it. Unless they're Alabama.

quote:

---

As a corrupted/ing society it is something that needs to be addressed

---

our society is being corrupted because the "society" allows it. paying recruits illegaly and condoning it is one example. it's rationalization and nothing else. college football is semi pro and there's no denying it. the nfl is the beneficiary. i really think the colleges are not even as they seem to be because the revenues have to support all the minor sports. ok, the minor sport athletes also benefit. the fans just have to foot the everincreasing costs; it's never enough so prices just go higher and higher and higher.

quote:

---

I wouldn't be surprised if they paid like a couple hundred to "work on" a kid for a school, then a bonus if he signs with them.

---

Are you kidding ? a couple of hundred what ?Thousand that CR's handlers got ? Remember what Oregon was paying for those tapes for Seastrunk and some of the Texas players ?

I would venture to guess that recruiting today is much, much "cleaner" than it was 20,30,40 years ago. Most kids probably have some kind of mentor or adult helping them with the process who really just have the kid's best interests in mind. Of course though, there are those who are vicariously trying to get rich off of the kid as well which I guess you would refer to as a "handler".

I think the "handler" issue started, and is much bigger in college basketball. Especially on the AAU circuit where for instance you have some teams that are sponsored by, or at least have ties to shoe companies. The top players are likely going to be "one and done" anyway, so the shoe companies and handlers sometimes steer these guys to certain schools based on whether or not these schools are "Nike" schools or "Adidas" schools. The handlers are looking for payouts for their efforts.

quote:

---

As a corrupted/ing society it is something that needs to be addressed.

---

lol society was far more corrupt in the 80's

As stated most handlers are good for the kids but they usually are called coaches or family members if so. The dirty handlers are usually a a guy with connections to either a certain school or a certain group of schools. The major ones are well known and the schools have them on speed dial and know going in there is a price. They are so rampant now that some are basically just a neighborhood guy that ties himself to a kid or kids and bargains for them. Most of the time its not to the great benefit of the kid or their families.
The money can be big as in the Newton or Terelle Pryor cases or can be just a couple of grand and some amenities. Maybe some bill paying or spending money. The extravegant amounts are not as common as people think. These days a car is not huge ticket items to colleges and their boosters. Those are easiily paid for or written off at little to no harm to the dealers pay. Relocation is becoming the big bargaining chip these days and jobs. Those have always been around but now more common. Take Trent Richardsons case as an example. The relocstion was for his children to be close. He got other things as well but that was the primary selling point.

I personally have no issue with this stuff and think most schools don't. In the end it still comes down to who sells their product the best. Its like bidding for job contracts. The only issue is thst a lot of it is illegal because of money laundering or tax fraud but that is the risk the people involved take. They cover well enough to risk it. Also helps that the feds don't really bat an eye to it.

It did all start with basketball recruiting. These kids and people in the neighbirhoods aren't stupid. Neither are the businessmen like Willie Lyles and primarily Baron Flenory. Flenory got thise 7 on 7 tourneys rolling to make money ad no other reason. Helping kids is last on the list. Check who his ties lead back to and you'll find that it leads back to the same people pumping out all the money for those AAU squads. Basketball is just more rampant and profitable because, in the end, that comes down to an individual player that the shoe companies are hedging their bets on

quote:

---

LSU GrandDad
What's the deal with recruit "handlers"

---

Satan just hired another "handler" on his own staff - Kiffin. It sure is no coincidence that Alabama hired a coach who has been accused of recruiting violations and has been in trouble with the NCAA before.
Of course now that Kiffin is on bama's staff, there will be no questions asked. Alashama is untouchable.
I'm sure many Louisiana high school coaches are on Alabama's payroll (though funnelled 'booster clubs' and other hidden channels that Alashama does their cheating through.)