KU coach Les Miles talks virtual recruiting, in-state efforts - 247Sports
Putting together the 2021 signing class — at least the 20 names who inked in the early period — was a different kind of challenge for KU coach Les Miles and his staff. The COVID-19 pandemic, Miles said on an episode of Hawk Talk, has "completely changed [Kansas'] recruiting" — even if it's a challenge every program is facing.
"It's still fair because [in-person recruiting] has been eliminated for every school," Miles acknowledged.
Miles addressed the program's recruiting approach for much of his time in an episode of Hawk Talk a few weeks before signing day. One of the questions he was asked by Voice of the Jayhawks Brian Hanni centered on his approach in the state of Kansas. Miles said Kansas high school coaches are aware the Jayhawks want their players.
"I promise you the relationship between the high school coach and the high school players — with the way we're recruiting high school players — they understand that and they enjoy it," Miles said. "They recognize this coaching staff and this group of people want their high school athlete to come to school here with us. We're going to stay after it. We're going to maintain our direction because high school players get four years to play, and that's what you want."
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In terms of results, the Jayhawks brought in the top player in the state, four-star running back Devin Neal, in the 2021 class. Neal is the highest-ranked player to ever sign with Kansas (Top247 era).
In the 2020 recruiting cycle, the Jayhawks added Will Huggins from inside the state. Huggins caught a touchdown pass late in the Jayhawks' loss to Oklahoma toward the end of the 2020 season. The Jayhawks also added a few prospects from the Kansas City-area, including Ray-Pec standout Luke Grimm. Grimm, a three-star receiver, became a focal point of the offense late in the year. He had four-plus catches and 40-plus yards in each of the Jayhawks' final four games of the season.
Back to recruiting, Hanni informed Miles of a story regarding Kansas legend Nolan Cromwell, who was recruited by at-the-time Kansas coach Don Fambrough.
Fambrough, Hanni described, would hold an in-home visit with Cromwell. He would then leave, drive around the block and wait for Cromwell to conduct a visit with a K-State coach before driving back to Fambrough's house and getting in another word.
"That is a routine — that is normal business, I promise you," Miles said with a laugh. "It's been some time. That's old business."
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Of course, such a practice is "old business" because of an NCAA-mandated dead period that has kept coaches from being able to get out on the road. To adjust, the Jayhawks have held events like a virtual junior day or virtual visits. Miles added that he's been pleased with the Jayhawks' support staff and the ability to sell the program virtually — both with the opportunity to play on the field and what the Jayhawks can provide in the classroom.
"We all do our share," Miles said of the staff's recruiting approach. "We all do the things we're supposed to do in terms of evaluating our prospects and getting to a position where the prospect has the opportunity to come. I want you to know something. The representation that KU has [allowed the program] has just allowed them — our players, allowed players in our midst — to come [without visiting]. We've been able to show the virtual Zoom calls, and it's been enough to say, 'OK, I'm good. I'd like to be there.'"
2020-12-26 19:01:19Z
https://247sports.com/college/kansas/Article/Kansas-football-coach-Les-Miles-talks-virtual-recruiting-in-state-efforts-157852520/
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