re: Calling Arkytiger for Slade Bolden info....

Bama likes him. He'll probably get a bump soon.

Geez if he's going to play baseball to then how in the world is he not a LSU lock? TCU's only selling point is early playing time but he seems like a competitor. Head scratcher

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TCU's only selling point is early playing time

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And the whole 4 straight trips to Omaha...

JJ,
When is a decision coming?

It's just different. They're not playing the same game as everyone else. Organization and attention to every single detail possible are what everyone raves about. Every single subject possible is covered and every question is answered. I know it hurts to hear as a lifelong LSU fan. It kills me to say, but there's a reason they are always at the top in recruiting.

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I don't know if he has an LSU offer for baseball. Someone else will have to weigh in.

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Someone either earlier in this thread, or in another thread, said he'd be accepted as a baseball walk-on.

If he's an early enrollee, and could potentially be on the baseball roster this spring, some things with the current roster would have to shake out a bit to make a spot available. But that may be happening whether he needs that spot or not.

Just some of the things I've picked up on:

1. Most importantly, it's a comprehensive approach. When it comes to a recruit the compliance dept, coaching staff, admin staff, and admissions/FA are on the same page. One doesn't step on the toes of another.

They eagerly want the recruit to ask questions. Why? Because someone from the FA dept will gladly place a call during a no-contact period to answer. That way they are maintaining contact when other schools are no where to be found.

2. They take a customer service approach; in this approach "customer education" is a priority. No sales pitches (in this form), that's for 1-on-1's. This is key in #1. Why would a recruit want to pick up the phone and call a switchboard number to ask a question instead of hitting google. Because they feel very comfortable doing so. They feel contacting them is the easiest, least path of resistance. Out of this comes trust and relationships. Think progressive insurance: Bama will quote the other guys too. Want to ask a general question, not just a Bama question, call the number Burton Burns gave you.

3. They are using technology. Not only does it create a good impression and "the kids like it" it allows more "brand presence" with fewer resources (and this is the largest recruiting budget in the nation). Example: Facetime with Tony Brown's father while he was in the hospital. And they are opportunistic with it. Why use video chat with one recruit; tell him to gather his friends (and that 5* teammate) in his HC's office and they'll answer his questions with the others around. How high does a 3* feel when he can brag to everyone he had a chat with Saban, in the field house, and some others got to participate.

4. This goes with #2- They want recruits, all of them, to feel like Bama is a "guide" in this process. Hence they cover everything. Also works in conjunction with #3.

5. Dedicated personnel that work with the compliance department to find grey areas, and use them. They are not risk adverse. They see grey areas as opportunities for an advantage, they do not run from them. Can only do this if you both identify them, and the compliance department is both on the same page and is part of this process. Schools like LSU's compliance department is fully independent and very conservative. Yes, this is an intentional design and is the best way to avoid sanctions. But with the [intentional] gray areas in the NCAA rules, you do miss opportunities.

Unfortunately, I'm speaking in generalities. Doesn't make it invalid information. And notice I didn't mention the REC, Chargers, or suits... that's lagniappe; such things just enhance what's in place. Btw, it's coordinated too.

Do you mind going into specifics?

How is it better than LSU or other visits?

I would love to pump some more money into recruiting if we can get a bigger budget. But, if Bama didn't have all those trophies, their budget wouldn't be so high. Winning cures cancer and all that.

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Yeah, that money and chargers are great attention to details

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Loser mentality. "Oh someone's better than me at something. Obviously they're CHEATERS!!!!!!!!!!"



The mentality should be, "Bama is the best at recruiting. What exactly do they do? How can we mimic what they do so that we can be successful too?" Can't fix something if you don't think you have a problem.