From five-star to freshman
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HOOVER, Ala. – Gus Malzahn entered the Hyatt Regency hotel to a soundtrack of flashbulbs and shouts. Photographers begged his attention and fans gathered behind ropes in the lobby yelled praise and interjected jeers. SEC Media Days have a circus element to it, and the Auburn head coach is one of the main attractions – center ring under the college football big top.
And while players Malzahn and his colleagues spend hours every day recruiting don’t get that level of superstar treatment, they’re undeniable commodities in football circles. Top prospects face their share of flashbulbs and carry a slice of social media fame. Praise piles up at every turn. Coaches such as Malzahn heap it on in an effort to land their commitments. Reporters add to it in the hope of breaking news down the road. Love from fans is omnipresent in the Twittersphere.
Highly touted high school prospects can do almost no wrong on the field. According to Malzahn, the symphony of applause and affection can create a problem.
“There’s no doubt social media has changed everything,” he said.
Of course, then came the calculated response. Does it create a problem? Of course it does … everywhere except for the school at which the interviewee coaches.
“I think every player is a little bit different,” Malzahn said. “At Auburn, we have a lot of team players that want to help the team. They come in with good attitudes. We’ve had very little of the other end of it … I think each individual is a little bit different, but, overall, I’ve been pleased with the classes that have come in and the attitudes.”
Even at Auburn, though, it is a process. The transition from touted recruit to college freshman is a startling one. Malzahn may see the process as smooth, but former five-star defensive tackle Montravius Adams, now a star for the Tigers, has a different take.
“It was spurring,” said Adams, the No. 3 overall prospect in the class of 2013. “I’d never been coached like that.” Adams can’t help but let out a laugh when he speaks on the subject, as if thinking back to a different era.
Now a senior with a likely NFL future, Adams also points out that the bravado recruiting exposure builds isn’t some sign of the college football apocalypse He doesn’t buy into the entitled-Millennial narrative that seems prevalent in walks of life that go well beyond football. Confidence? It worked for Adams, who earned playing time as a freshman and became a full-time starter as a sophomore.
“I really think it’s a good thing to have that competitive nature as a player,” Adams said. “You never want to lose that. Coach [Malzahn] is one of the best coaches there is, in my mind.
“He knows how to balance.”
Finding an upshot as Adams does is important. The exposure isn’t going anywhere. The fawning shows no signs of slowing.
A search of the Twitter mentions belonging to current No. 1 overall prospect Marvin Wilson produces no shortage of the words “stud,” “goon” and “beast.” The term “savage” makes an appearance or two as well. Wilson’s online life is no different than that of most top prospects. This is simply a snapshot of modern recruiting.
Rivals250 quarterback Mac Jones, who will arrive on Alabama’s campus as a freshman next year, is aware of it and is already guarding against the possible pitfalls.
“Too many tweets a week tell me how great I am or I am going to be,” Jones said. “I always listen to what people have to say, but I’d say about 10 percent of the stuff that is said is absorbed.”
Jones, a 2017 prospect, will be part of the next wave of high school stars to arrive on campus with years of hype in the rearview. And the spotlight that comes with quarterbacking Alabama doesn’t need to be explained.
Still, if Jones or those in similar shoes need advice, Florida defensive back Marcus Maye, a one-time Rivals100 recruit, doesn’t mind doling it out.
“Once you get out of high school, that’s over with,” Maye said. “The older guys will get on you because you have to realize that you may be a high school All-American, but the guys that are already here were on your same path. We just make sure you’re always doing the right things and how certain things go.