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Sunday, January 21, 2001

Local college turns recruiting focus to area kids
A&M-K’s Cundiff says some of the best talent is in school’s backyard
By Lee Goddard
Caller-Times

Caller-Times file

Kingsville’s Bryan Hall (in black) is the kind of local prospect A&M-Kingsville coach Richard Cundiff would like to see on his field. Cundiff believes in recruiting local players and keeping area talent close to home.

J.R. Wood wants to attend a college that is close to home, has a strong tradition and a good fan base. He wants to play football at a university that is small enough so he won't get lost in the crowd, either on the campus or on the field.
   "When you get down to it, I don't want to go to a place where there are 10 million people," said Wood, who played linebacker at George West. "I would like to play Division I because of the crowds and, in more cases than not, I would have more choices in (selecting a major).
   "Then again, I don't want to play at a Penn State," he said. "I don't want to go to a place where there might be 50 linebackers that run a 4-flat (40-yard dash) and where I might not see the field until I'm a senior."
   That's got to be the type of thing Richard Cundiff wants to hear.
   Finding the time

Cundiff

   This will truly be the first time as head coach at Division II Texas A&M-Kingsville that Cundiff will be able to devote a full offseason to recruiting. After serving as a Javelinas assistant for 14 years, Cundiff ascended to the role of head coach on Dec. 31, 1999.
   That sure didn't allow a lot of time to plan recruiting last year.
   "There's a lot more time to do things this year," Cundiff said. "Things are better in terms of organization, in terms of having a full staff. We know the needs of the team and what we need to do."
   Cundiff mentions no specific needs to be filled by incoming freshmen; he will fill any pressing gaps with junior college players.
   But what Cundiff does want from the high school ranks are local recruits like Wood and H.M. King's Bryan Hall.
   While he hasn't made any sweeping changes in the Javelinas' recruiting process, Cundiff has tinkered a bit with how the Javelinas will pursue players, he said. He has reined in how far A&M-Kingsville will go to search for talent, concentrating more locally.
   And, with four coaches out recruiting this year as opposed to the two that handled it last year, there are more people beating the bushes in a smaller area.
   "You cover more schools," Cundiff said. "Anytime you can get more people on the road, it makes a big difference. You have more eyes out there."
   Looking locally
   Using that philosophy, Cundiff is relying on a strong local recruiting haul, wooing potential players with intangibles such as the campus' facilities and location. He is also playing up the university's role in the community.
   "We're local and, for a lot of high school kids, we want to keep them local," Cundiff said. "We want to keep them around here. We want to emphasize academics with them and sell them real hard on academics."
   Brahmas coach Richard Whitaker said that is the right tact to take in recruiting.

Caller-Times file

Local recruits say they are thinking about attending A&M-K because of the proximity to their families and because they din’t want to get lost in the crowds of big schools.

   "The kids just want an opportunity to get an education and play football," Whitaker said. "I think a lot of people would like to watch (local high school athletes) play. A lot of people would want to see those players in action at a local university."
   Cundiff can't get more local than Hall, a standout high school linebacker but a college tight end prospect who played for Whitaker at Kingsville. While Hall has been receiving some Division I attention from UTEP, Baylor and others, he wouldn't mind staying at home and suiting up for the Javelinas, he said.
   "One of the main reasons I would like to go to A&M is that it's in my hometown," said Hall, who will take an official visit later in the month. "I would have my mom here, my friends here and they and my coaches would be able to see me play. Plus, the fans are great. They support high school football on Friday, then they go out and support the college."
   Fan support
   The fan base is a selling point that has entered Wood's mind. After playing in George West, a town passionate about and supportive of its high school football team, Wood, who will pay the school an official visit within the next week, wants to continue his career in front of fans that appreciate the sport.
   "I've never watched a full game in Kingsville, but from what I've seen, the fans are real crazy," Wood said. "They really get into it. It's nice to have screaming fans that are throwing tortillas around. I want to see something like that."
   Hall and Wood also are sold on the tradition of A&M-Kingsville football. While the Javelinas posted a 4-7 record in 2000 and have had consecutive sub-.500 seasons, Cundiff will sell a tradition that includes 22 conference titles and 17 seasons in which they have made postseason appearances.
   So are the Javelinas able to land the recruits they desire?
   Those selling points seem to work for Wood. He is strongly considering the Division II Javelinas, despite the fact that Division I Texas Tech and I-AA Southwest Texas State have shown interest in him, he said.
   But Hall, who said he would like to play for the Javelinas, feels that Division I might be too much to pass up. Hypothetically, if offered the same type of scholarship by A&M-Kingsville and a Division I school, the chance to play D-I could draw Hall.
   "If they both offered the same thing in terms of the scholarship, I would have to go D-I," Hall said. "Of course, staying here would be great. But if I had to choose between Division I and Division II, I would have to go D-I. That's been my dream my whole life."


Staff writer Lee Goddard can be reached at 886-3613 or by e-mail at goddardl@caller.com

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