Gamecocks’ ace recruiters ‘love going the extra mile’
Jan. 31, 2016
HIGHLIGHTS
Robinson, McClendon, Thompson nationally regarded for efforts
Experts say trio’s experience, approach can pay off at South Carolina
Coaches: honesty, building relationships are important
The conversations started with football and new beginnings. The talk turned to recruiting, relationships and reputations.
“So you think I’m pretty good, huh?” joked Travaris Robinson, South Carolina’s new defensive coordinator.
Yes, the track record says.
Robinson and fellow Gamecocks assistants Bryan McClendon and Lance Thompson have developed a penchant of reeling in blue-chip recruits. Though the likes of Julio Jones, Vernon Hargreaves III and Nick Chubb were signed at perennial recruiting powerhouses Alabama, Florida and Georgia, the recruiters’ relentless approach can translate to success at South Carolina, industry experts said.
“You’re talking about guys that love going the extra mile for recruiting,” said Steve Wiltfong, director of recruiting for 247Sports. “They put the time in to build relationships with the kids’ parent or guardian or coach. And they do a good job of getting their message across about the institution they work at and why it would be a good place for the kid. And then they’ve just got good football coaches on staff, and kids want to play for good football coaches.”
McClendon, Thompson and Robinson each has won or contended for national recruiter of the year honors from ESPN, 247Sports or Rivals in recent years. More than any of those awards, it’s their experience recruiting in the region that will most help USC, according to Gerry Hamilton, national recruiting analyst for ESPN.
Honesty, effort and building relationships are keys to success in recruiting, all three coaches said. That includes ensuring there’s a good rapport with a prospect and anyone close to him, such as a parent, who will play a role in the decision.
“It’s a lot of hard work and it’s about relationships,” McClendon said. “You’ve got to have good relationships with the kids and with the people around them, with the people in that community. It’s about these guys feeling that no matter what, we’re going to have those kids’ best interest at heart.”
Robinson has a history of strong success recruiting the Sunshine State, especially South Florida. Both he and Thompson said it’s important to define for parents what success looks like, not just talk about it.
“I want to show them exactly how, as a football player and a man, I’m going to help their kid be successful,” Robinson said. “That’s one thing that’s a big hit with parents. Me being 34 years old and being a coordinator in the Southeastern Conference is a big deal. As I talk to parents, I try to show them how that was able to happen.”
Thompson recruited quarterback A.J. McCarron to Alabama. McCarron in 2008 called Thompson “the best recruiter ever,” according to ESPN.com.
Thompson tries to “create as many win-wins as you can,” he said. That involves showing the recruit and the parents how each side will benefit from the young man attending South Carolina. It’s a two-way street, Thompson said, where each side shoulders the responsibility for success once a prospect is on campus.
And his pitch often includes this: “And the end of the day, what I tell guys is: When Tiger Woods, the first time he won The Masters, guess what? He was a Masters champion. That guy was a Masters champion forever. When you ink your name on the dotted line at the University of South Carolina, you’re a Gamecock for life. When you graduate from the University of South Carolina, you’re a Gamecock for life. That connects you in to the network of the Gamecock family that is worldwide.”
Lance Thompson
USC job: Assistant head coach defense/Defensive line
Recruiting honors: Ranked No. 1 recruiter in the nation on ESPN 300 recruiting rankings for 2014 and Rivals National Recruiter of the Year in 2008 at Alabama. Lead recruiter for such stars as receiver Julio Jones, quarterback A.J. McCarron and running back Trent Richardson.
Bryan McClendon
USC job: Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Recruiting honors: He helped recruit and coach some of the country’s best tailbacks at Georgia including Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb and Isaiah Crowell.
Travaris Robinson
USC job: Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
Recruiting honors: Recruited and coached at Florida 5-star defensive backs such as Vernon Hargreaves III and Jalen Tabor.
THE STATE
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-recruiting/article57636888.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-recruiting/article57636888.html#storylink=cpy
Jan. 31, 2016
HIGHLIGHTS
Robinson, McClendon, Thompson nationally regarded for efforts
Experts say trio’s experience, approach can pay off at South Carolina
Coaches: honesty, building relationships are important
The conversations started with football and new beginnings. The talk turned to recruiting, relationships and reputations.
“So you think I’m pretty good, huh?” joked Travaris Robinson, South Carolina’s new defensive coordinator.
Yes, the track record says.
Robinson and fellow Gamecocks assistants Bryan McClendon and Lance Thompson have developed a penchant of reeling in blue-chip recruits. Though the likes of Julio Jones, Vernon Hargreaves III and Nick Chubb were signed at perennial recruiting powerhouses Alabama, Florida and Georgia, the recruiters’ relentless approach can translate to success at South Carolina, industry experts said.
“You’re talking about guys that love going the extra mile for recruiting,” said Steve Wiltfong, director of recruiting for 247Sports. “They put the time in to build relationships with the kids’ parent or guardian or coach. And they do a good job of getting their message across about the institution they work at and why it would be a good place for the kid. And then they’ve just got good football coaches on staff, and kids want to play for good football coaches.”
McClendon, Thompson and Robinson each has won or contended for national recruiter of the year honors from ESPN, 247Sports or Rivals in recent years. More than any of those awards, it’s their experience recruiting in the region that will most help USC, according to Gerry Hamilton, national recruiting analyst for ESPN.
Honesty, effort and building relationships are keys to success in recruiting, all three coaches said. That includes ensuring there’s a good rapport with a prospect and anyone close to him, such as a parent, who will play a role in the decision.
“It’s a lot of hard work and it’s about relationships,” McClendon said. “You’ve got to have good relationships with the kids and with the people around them, with the people in that community. It’s about these guys feeling that no matter what, we’re going to have those kids’ best interest at heart.”
Robinson has a history of strong success recruiting the Sunshine State, especially South Florida. Both he and Thompson said it’s important to define for parents what success looks like, not just talk about it.
“I want to show them exactly how, as a football player and a man, I’m going to help their kid be successful,” Robinson said. “That’s one thing that’s a big hit with parents. Me being 34 years old and being a coordinator in the Southeastern Conference is a big deal. As I talk to parents, I try to show them how that was able to happen.”
Thompson recruited quarterback A.J. McCarron to Alabama. McCarron in 2008 called Thompson “the best recruiter ever,” according to ESPN.com.
Thompson tries to “create as many win-wins as you can,” he said. That involves showing the recruit and the parents how each side will benefit from the young man attending South Carolina. It’s a two-way street, Thompson said, where each side shoulders the responsibility for success once a prospect is on campus.
And his pitch often includes this: “And the end of the day, what I tell guys is: When Tiger Woods, the first time he won The Masters, guess what? He was a Masters champion. That guy was a Masters champion forever. When you ink your name on the dotted line at the University of South Carolina, you’re a Gamecock for life. When you graduate from the University of South Carolina, you’re a Gamecock for life. That connects you in to the network of the Gamecock family that is worldwide.”
Lance Thompson
USC job: Assistant head coach defense/Defensive line
Recruiting honors: Ranked No. 1 recruiter in the nation on ESPN 300 recruiting rankings for 2014 and Rivals National Recruiter of the Year in 2008 at Alabama. Lead recruiter for such stars as receiver Julio Jones, quarterback A.J. McCarron and running back Trent Richardson.
Bryan McClendon
USC job: Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Recruiting honors: He helped recruit and coach some of the country’s best tailbacks at Georgia including Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb and Isaiah Crowell.
Travaris Robinson
USC job: Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
Recruiting honors: Recruited and coached at Florida 5-star defensive backs such as Vernon Hargreaves III and Jalen Tabor.
THE STATE
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-recruiting/article57636888.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-recruiting/article57636888.html#storylink=cpy
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