The latest recruiting news holds O'Dea FB Zach Fogerson considering himself a soft verbal commit to Washington. Recent offers from Michigan and other top schools have influenced him to keep his options open.
In reality, what this--or for that matter, any kid wants--is what is older brother did not get: a little early attention in the recruiting process. Let's face it, it's fun to be wanted and courted. It is great to be told that you would look good in Maize and Blue. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience I would advise any PSA to take all their trips and consider all options carefully.
In reality, in May all commitments are soft; nothing is official until kids sign their LOI next February. A lot can happen between now and then on both sides of the coin. Take, for example, current WSU TB James Montgomery; he was a lock to go to Washington a few years ago to the extent that Coach Willingham elected not to recruit any other running backs.
Montgomery's heart was with Washington and Willingham. However, his mother was the one signing the LOI, and consequently he ended up unhappily at Cal. Montgomery transfered out of Cal as soon as he was legally able to do so. The point is, you can't count on anything until the ink is dry on the LOI.
The determining factor of the 2010 recruting class will be the on-field performance of the 2009 squad. Yet another bottom-of-the-league finish, regardless of the direction the team is headed, will be lethal to the program. The coaches know they need to pull a few rabbits out of the hat in next year's schedule to definitively demonstrate the bowl-less streak is about to end.
Good coaching staffs get their teams to win games they have no business winning. This current staff has the ability to start turning the moral victories of the recent past into wins that count in the standings. THOSE wins stand to be the determining factor of exactly how good the upcoming recruiting class ends up.
It is a long road to 2010 signing day. Expect more than a few twists and turns along the way. In the end, I expect Zach to join his older brother at Washington.
Johnny Durocher update
When discussing the twists and turns of recruiting, another local product comes to mind in the name of Johnny Durocher. Johnny chose Oregon coming out of Bethel High School, but eventually transferred to Washington.
Durocher spent much of his time at Washington injured, but did see some occasional playing time. When a benign brain tumor ended his collegiate football career, Durocher decided to concentrate on baseball. The Seattle Mariners then gave him an opportunity in their minor league system; he was progressing well until injuries--once again--ended that endeavor.
Under the guidance of IMG Academies, Durocher is now attempting a return to football. I received some information on his comeback quest last week for us to post here, as apparently did Bob Condotta.
Here is a link from IMG on his progress. We all wish him the best of luck with his comeback, and hopefully a pro team will give him a shot to show what he can do.
“Someone’s got to do it,” he said. “Someone’s got to make the story. Before Kurt Warner, everyone said nobody can go from the Arena League to the Super Bowl. Before Tom Brady, everyone said nobody can go from getting beat out in college to winning three Super Bowls. Just give me a shot. I think I’m pretty damn good, and I want everyone else to know it.”