[OutsiderFan]

I think the exclusivity of the Stanford brand is strengthened by Shaw's approach.  He has said Stanford won't offer a recruit until seeing his transcripts, and I'm assuming that means at leas Frosh and Soph years of High School, and most favorably, the first semester of Junior year as well.

Toward that end, there is no reason Stanford can't contact recruits telling them they are considering them for a Stanford offer, without actually offering.  If a kid starts getting scholarship offers from Alabama, Florida State, USC, etc. when a Soph, he's probably getting the picture he is seen as an elite prospect.  When Stanford shows interest, it's going to tell him he is also being considered for his academic performance, but given the nature of the academic process, it makes total sense for Stanford to withhold offers until after the football factories. 

The best approach is probably to send letters to prospects Stanford is following, illustrating Stanford is interested, but can't offer a scholarship until further classes and tests are taken.  If it appears the recruit shows interest in Stanford, make non-committable offers until further data is known about the recruit's academic performance.  When it looks like things are looking good, make the offer committable.  Other factors that can influence offers might be willingness to attend Junior Day and Stanford camps.

Something tells me Stanford does something quite similar to this because it makes a lot more sense than offering a bunch of guys who may have no chance to get admitted, and it bolsters the Stanford brand.

[OutsiderFan]

I think the exclusivity of the Stanford brand is strengthened by Shaw's approach.  He has said Stanford won't offer a recruit until seeing his transcripts, and I'm assuming that means at leas Frosh and Soph years of High School, and most favorably, the first semester of Junior year as well.

Toward that end, there is no reason Stanford can't contact recruits telling them they are considering them for a Stanford offer, without actually offering.  If a kid starts getting scholarship offers from Alabama, Florida State, USC, etc. when a Soph, he's probably getting the picture he is seen as an elite prospect.  When Stanford shows interest, it's going to tell him he is also being considered for his academic performance, but given the nature of the academic process, it makes total sense for Stanford to withhold offers until after the football factories. 

The best approach is probably to send letters to prospects Stanford is following, illustrating Stanford is interested, but can't offer a scholarship until further classes and tests are taken.  If it appears the recruit shows interest in Stanford, make non-committable offers until further data is known about the recruit's academic performance.  When it looks like things are looking good, make the offer committable.  Other factors that can influence offers might be willingness to attend Junior Day and Stanford camps.

Something tells me Stanford does something quite similar to this because it makes a lot more sense than offering a bunch of guys who may have no chance to get admitted, and it bolsters the Stanford brand.