However, I do value the opinion of coaches regarding the players that they are recruiting. And, that’s what has me a little concerned about ECU defensive coordinator Jerry Odom’s public statements in an article published in The Orlando Sentinel.
Odom was instrumental in helping the Pirates land 16 players from the Sunshine State. It’s been reported that ECU signed more Florida natives than any other school located outside of the state. Only time will tell how talented that group actually is. What we do know is that not a single Pirate signee received more than 2 stars by the so-called experts. As a group ECU’s class was ranked in the 80s nationally.
Now, back to Odom’s statement. The Sentinel’s article detailed Odom’s deep ties to the state of Florida from his playing days at the University of Florida, and later as a high school coach. It went on to illustrate how those ties were benefiting ECU’s recruiting efforts in the state. Said Odom, "There's so many good second-tier players that are not going to get to go to Florida, FSU or Miami." Second tier?
You can call me anti-ECU if you like, but I find Odom’s statement a little disturbing, especially in light of John Thompsons’ recent quote about ECU’s small number of in-state signees, “We want to sign more North Carolina players, but our job is to sign the best players. “ Is that what is happening in ECU football recruiting? Us jaded types want to know.