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Why K-State recruits JUCOs

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Ron Prince's background in part explains why 19 of the 32 recruits Kansas State signed this year were from junior colleges. It is believed to be the highest number of junior college players signed by a current Bowl Championship Series program. Of those players, 12 were from California. The recruiting class was ranked 27th nationally by Rivals.com. To some, Prince's recruiting class seems an act of desperation. In 2006, his first season, Kansas State went 7-6 and played in the Texas Bowl. Under the previous coach, Bill Snyder, who retired after the 2005 season, Kansas State was a haven for junior college players. Its 1997 recruiting class had 12, and those players helped produce the program's first No. 1 ranking in football a season later. "That's just the model at Kansas State," Prince said. Last year, the Wildcats slipped to 5-7, losing their last four games. During that streak, they surrendered an average of 49.5 points and 506.5 offensive yards. But Prince insisted that the infusion of junior college players was not a panicked response. It was part of a plan that he outlined during his first interview for the Kansas State job.

New York Times

Ron Prince, Brian Bahr/Getty Images Ron Prince, Brian Bahr/Getty Images
July 23, 2008  05:50 AM ET

Plenty of "untapped" prospects to go around. You never know what you can find if you look under enough rocks.

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July 23, 2008  08:28 AM ET

The answer to the question is "because they can't get legit recruits out of high school".

July 23, 2008  08:41 AM ET

You know what you are getting with a JUCO kid. He's passing college classes, he's played in a college program.

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July 23, 2008  09:48 AM ET

Why not...proven...only 2 year committment...what is there to lose.

July 23, 2008  10:04 AM ET

Because spending 2 years at Kansas State is a lot more conceivable than 4 or 5.

July 23, 2008  10:19 AM ET

The reason KSU signed 19 juco recruits is because the success KU and MU are having. KSU has to get better now, Prince is on the hot seat, and he is looking for a quick fix. Right or Wrong, that is what is happening. If Prince doesn't go bowling this season, he is probably out of a job.

July 23, 2008  11:02 AM ET

Why does ANY school recruit JUCO Players? It's quicker to restock the talent pool and they don't have to worry about admissions. This is something ALL programs use.

July 23, 2008  11:14 AM ET

PLENTY of players in the NFL who started off at JUCO's.

July 23, 2008  12:08 PM ET

This piece from the NYT does NOT say why! It asks the question, but never really explain it. I think K-State has had great success with JUCO's. Why don't they just come out and say this is an vastly un-tapped resource.

July 23, 2008  01:01 PM ET

Fannation is blowing my freakin mind, the 2nd best defensive tackle in the nation commits to LSU and we're reading about Why some stupid school is recruiting JUCO kids

July 23, 2008  04:50 PM ET

It's Manhattan Kansas. They get who they get.

July 23, 2008  10:44 PM ET

If I was a uni coach I'd go and get some Juco players too. Some were borderline as far as SAT/grades but if they are passing their classes then why not? There's a lot of talent at jucos in Texas, OK, Cali and other places.

July 24, 2008  12:56 AM ET

Actually I think it's an interesting story and a break from the tired old "he picked XXX" recruiting piece. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, so if you can find some of these kids that are passing their classes, playing good ball, etc., why NOT bring them on? Probably a lot of really good players out there that are overlooked and you gotta figure they'll give every bit they can for their new team.

July 24, 2008  02:36 AM ET

Why does KJSU (not a typo) take JCs exclusively? One reason:

Per the NCAA bylaws, any college can accept a jumior college transfer if they meet the transfer rules of said college. Kansas (Junior) State College accepts Physical Education credits as well as D's as passing grades in core classes. Therefore, a student can obtain three passing grades in PE classes and D's in math and english, and still gain admittance into KJSU. Therefore, KSU takes the bottom of the barrel in JUCO students that can't get in anywhere else. There are other schools that do the same thing (Mississippi State) but not to the same extent as KJSU.

 
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