Keith7
01-20-2004, 11:48 PM
Darcel McBath is a senior at Gainesville High School and is one of the most sought-after football recruits in North Texas. Each week until National Signing Day, he will share his experiences from the recruiting process
I had no idea coming into this year how crazy it (recruiting) would get.
I expected to get some offers and things like that, but getting calls
every day and being interviewed on the phone is crazy. I enjoy it, I
won't say I don't enjoy it, but I'm really blessed and I thank God
everyday. It's really been fun but I'm ready for it to be over.
I know there are some schools that are recruiting me that I'm not going
to go to. It was kind of tough at first because you build relationships
with coaches as they call you. It was kind of hard for me to say no in
the beginning, but you only get five visits so I knew I had to start
telling people no. I had to narrow it down to five schools. I knew I
wanted to play in a big conference just for the competition and the
exposure. I looked for teams that were coming up on the rise, the teams
that would be competing for a national championship in the future. Also,
I looked at the coaches I felt most comfortable with. That's kind of how
I made my decision.
After our basketball game Jan. 9, I got on a plane and flew up to
Stillwater to visit Oklahoma State. It only took like 37 minutes on a
jet. It was my first time to fly so I was really nervous. When I got
there I checked into my hotel and then went and hung out with the guys
and went to a couple of parties and met everyone on the team. I also met
the people that played my position and asked them how they liked the
school. Everyone seemed really into the school.
The next day, I had a 7:30 a.m. wake-up call which was crazy because I
didn't get in until late Friday. We ate breakfast and toured the school.
We had to take a class in something we wanted to major in. I just chose
business. It was long and pretty boring. That night we had a dinner at
the stadium and watched a highlight film and met the alumni. After that,
we just went out and had some fun. We went to some clubs and met a lot
more people.
Everyone was really nice up there. They pretty much set me straight as
to how I would fit in at OSU. They talked about depth and playing time.
They said I could be a backup as a freshman to Darren Williams, who was
All-Conference at corner this last year. But they said I need to learn
some things from him, which I agree with.
Monday night, I had coaches from Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Notre Dame at
my house. I was really impressed that the coaches would sit out there in
their cars and wait on me while I talked with another coach. I think my
mom liked it even more than I did. But having those guys at my house was
really fun. They talked about their schools. All of the coaches were
great guys.
I am going to Texas Tech this weekend, Texas A&M on Monday, then Notre
Dame on Friday.
I had no idea coming into this year how crazy it (recruiting) would get.
I expected to get some offers and things like that, but getting calls
every day and being interviewed on the phone is crazy. I enjoy it, I
won't say I don't enjoy it, but I'm really blessed and I thank God
everyday. It's really been fun but I'm ready for it to be over.
I know there are some schools that are recruiting me that I'm not going
to go to. It was kind of tough at first because you build relationships
with coaches as they call you. It was kind of hard for me to say no in
the beginning, but you only get five visits so I knew I had to start
telling people no. I had to narrow it down to five schools. I knew I
wanted to play in a big conference just for the competition and the
exposure. I looked for teams that were coming up on the rise, the teams
that would be competing for a national championship in the future. Also,
I looked at the coaches I felt most comfortable with. That's kind of how
I made my decision.
After our basketball game Jan. 9, I got on a plane and flew up to
Stillwater to visit Oklahoma State. It only took like 37 minutes on a
jet. It was my first time to fly so I was really nervous. When I got
there I checked into my hotel and then went and hung out with the guys
and went to a couple of parties and met everyone on the team. I also met
the people that played my position and asked them how they liked the
school. Everyone seemed really into the school.
The next day, I had a 7:30 a.m. wake-up call which was crazy because I
didn't get in until late Friday. We ate breakfast and toured the school.
We had to take a class in something we wanted to major in. I just chose
business. It was long and pretty boring. That night we had a dinner at
the stadium and watched a highlight film and met the alumni. After that,
we just went out and had some fun. We went to some clubs and met a lot
more people.
Everyone was really nice up there. They pretty much set me straight as
to how I would fit in at OSU. They talked about depth and playing time.
They said I could be a backup as a freshman to Darren Williams, who was
All-Conference at corner this last year. But they said I need to learn
some things from him, which I agree with.
Monday night, I had coaches from Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Notre Dame at
my house. I was really impressed that the coaches would sit out there in
their cars and wait on me while I talked with another coach. I think my
mom liked it even more than I did. But having those guys at my house was
really fun. They talked about their schools. All of the coaches were
great guys.
I am going to Texas Tech this weekend, Texas A&M on Monday, then Notre
Dame on Friday.