[socalstanfan1]

One of the problems, of course, is when you start competing for the 5 star types (the types that put you in the top ten of the recruiting rankings), academics become less of an advantage because the kids see themselves in the NFL in 3-4 years anyway. In some cases, they may be a disadvantage because the kids see them as too much of a diversion from football.
The Solomon Thomases and Andrew Lucks of this world are definitely in the minority; top ranked kids for whom academics are an extremely high priority.

I think we run into this issue with recruits who are ranked lower than 5-stars.  I'm sure a lot of 3- and 4-star recruits are filled with a certain belief that they are under-rated by the services, and that they will prove everybody wrong. And college coaches who are recruiting them might not do too much to convince them otherwise.  It isn't until they actually step foot onto a college practice field and realize that they may not even make the two-deep chart on their own team that they begin to realize how distant that dream is.  It is a special young athlete, likely with exceptional parents, who combines exceptional athleticism, excellent academics, and a realistic understanding of the Big Picture.  There's your Stanford target.

[socalstanfan1]

One of the problems, of course, is when you start competing for the 5 star types (the types that put you in the top ten of the recruiting rankings), academics become less of an advantage because the kids see themselves in the NFL in 3-4 years anyway. In some cases, they may be a disadvantage because the kids see them as too much of a diversion from football.
The Solomon Thomases and Andrew Lucks of this world are definitely in the minority; top ranked kids for whom academics are an extremely high priority.

I think we run into this issue with recruits who are ranked lower than 5-stars.  I'm sure a lot of 3- and 4-star recruits are filled with a certain belief that they are under-rated by the services, and that they will prove everybody wrong. And college coaches who are recruiting them might not do too much to convince them otherwise.  It isn't until they actually step foot onto a college practice field and realize that they may not even make the two-deep chart on their own team that they begin to realize how distant that dream is.  It is a special young athlete, likely with exceptional parents, who combines exceptional athleticism, excellent academics, and a realistic understanding of the Big Picture.  There's your Stanford target.