Why are OV's important for in-state recruits?

[ru_upstate]

Asking this question out of complete ignorance - If I am an in-state recruit with a short drive to the campus, why should I use one of my allocated OV's for that school? I can go to campus (and say I've been to campus) many times. Meanwhile I have 4-5 opportunities to check out different parts of the country during my sr year in HS.

What is part of the OV experience that is so critical in the decision making process? You can't get that experience by visiting your friends and the coaches on campus? I guess I am challenging the assumption expressed by some on the board that if a high profile in-state recruit does not use an OV slot for Rutgers, Rutgers has no shot.

 

[yesrutgers01]

You and your family get a complete, in depth view of the school and facilities. Yes, you can get the tour and such on UOV's but not in the depth you get on a OV. During an OV, there are so many more staff members available. BTW- I wasn't impressed with the ESPN Zone(by far the worse OV dinner event I attended -NYC idea is great but so many better choices) but even though I am not a buffet fan, that steak and lobster spread was by far the best dinner event of all the OV's.

Bottom line- if a kid, even in-state, does not take an OV here, we aren't getting him.

 

[250andCounting]

Additionally, it is all expenses paid (including the meals) and you get to spend the night on campus with a host player from the team. I think (?) the parents get to stay in a hotel as well.

 

[Crazed_RU]

You are also likely going to be exposed to other high quality out of state recruits who are also on OVs at the same time.

 

[RUtix4me]

There are two compinents to this. An OV can only help you get better acqainted and is another opportunity to see the school, coaches and players.

However if you are a highly recruited athlete, you have a need to have expenses paid to see the multiple out of state suitors still in consideration, then they may have to make that choice. From my perspective I can understand that, and I empathize for them. The one thing to note however is you will then have an uneven perspective as the Out of state schools will probably get to throw a bit more of their " schpeal" at you than your home state school.

Honestly, Where a kid takes his OV should be up to him and his parents. The criteria he uses is his alone. Its too bad if a bunch of grumpy young and old men here want to speculate regarding motive. At the end of the day a student athelete will spend 4-5 years working their butt of once they sign the LOI, how they choose is up to them.

 

[yesrutgers01]

There are two compinents to this. An OV can only help you get better acqainted and is another opportunity to see the school, coaches and players.

However if you are a highly recruited athlete, you have a need to have expenses paid to see the multiple out of state suitors still in consideration, then they may have to make that choice. From my perspective I can understand that, and I empathize for them. The one thing to note however is you will then have an uneven perspective as the Out of state schools will probably get to throw a bit more of their " schpeal" at you than your home state school.

Honestly, Where a kid takes his OV should be up to him and his parents. The criteria he uses is his alone. Its too bad if a bunch of grumpy young and old men here want to speculate regarding motive. At the end of the day a student athelete will spend 4-5 years working their butt of once they sign the LOI, how they choose is up to them.

The posts above are correct. It is a great opportunity to really get a better feel for the school. Keep in mind, not every recruit gets the special "star" treatment during unofficials. The post I quoted, while correct, it is up to the player and family and it is their criteria, but by the time OV's start up, if you havent narrowed it down to 5 or less, you are either fooling yourself or lying.
I have always felt that kids should have the opportunity to take all 5 visits. This is a life long decision. Unfortunately, that is no longer an option for most players and that is a damn shame.
But I will repeat, if you don't get a OV from a kid, you arent getting that kid.

 

[rutgersal]

A recruit spending an OV on a school means he's seriously interested in the school. No OV= No Chance.

 

[wheezer]

It just seems we never land an instate recruit without him taking an official..... You then have five other programs that have wined and dined the player, and you have not...

It seems to be a difference maker.... We can question why, but it is a pretty consistent result.

 

[ArminRU]

I'm not sure if I buy the no OV, no chance thinking. Have all 20 of our recruits went on an OV?

If I'm local and been to RU 5 times, why waste an OV?

 

[yesrutgers01]

I'm not sure if I buy the no OV, no chance thinking. Have all 20 of our recruits went on an OV?

If I'm local and been to RU 5 times, why waste an OV?

All 20 of ours will take their OV here. And read everything above about why to take one at the school you choose

 

[wheezer]

I'm not sure if I buy the no OV, no chance thinking. Have all 20 of our recruits went on an OV?

If I'm local and been to RU 5 times, why waste an OV?

----
You make sense, but the reality is that without an ov he signs elsewhere...it is what it is

 

[MikeR0102]

I'm not sure if I buy the no OV, no chance thinking. Have all 20 of our recruits went on an OV?

If I'm local and been to RU 5 times, why waste an OV?

None of our recruits are allowed to go on OVs yet, by NCAA rules

 

[PaKnight]

I'm not sure if I buy the no OV, no chance thinking. Have all 20 of our recruits went on an OV?

If I'm local and been to RU 5 times, why waste an OV?

None have gone, can't go until school starts in the fall. If one of the commits does not take an OV to RU, I doubt they sign in February.