The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Tatarunas could fall into a college coach’s lap
Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno has been down this road before, but now things get amplified because it’s affecting his quarterback.
Tadas Tatarunas checks off all or most of the boxes when it comes to recruiting. He has the size at 6-foot-5. He can make all the throws needed to be a big-time college QB, said Trivisonno.
He can also make things happen with his legs, and, according to his coach, has leadership traits that are off the charts right now.
All of that has coincided with the Cardinals’ run to the Division I state championship game.
Mentor plays Pickerington Central on Dec. 1 in Canton at 8 p.m.
Win or lose, Tatarunas will, barring an unforeseen setback, be on a college football roster next fall.
The big question is, what’s taking so long? Tatarunas has one FCS scholarship offer.
The answer is varied because trends in the recruiting game are continuously evolving.
The latest trend is FBS colleges zero in on their talent pool so early — many times by a player’s sophomore season — that others can and do get lost in the shuffle.
Tatarunas might be an example. He and the Cardinals in 2016 were down compared to this season. As a senior this fall, Tatarunas shared Tony Fisher Award honors with Brush’s Godwin Joe. Last season, Mentor was 6-4 and missed the playoffs.
The most likely factor for Tatarunas’ lack of offers is this, said Trivisonno:
“The interest in (Tatarunas) has definitely increased. But it’s hard at this point, especially at the quarterback spot. Most colleges only take one, and most have their guy targeted when they’re sophomores.”
That trend — get your QB and get him early — has hurt Tatarunas, who has blossomed into a top prospect this fall, but now must play the waiting game.
Tatarunas confirmed to The News-Herald his lone college offer is FCS Robert Morris — which he received in the offseason — and a preferred walk-on offer from Ohio State.
In 14 games and 13 victories, Tatarunas has thrown for 3,015 yards and 31 touchdowns and added 960 yards and 15 TDs on the ground.
The offers aren’t there, but it doesn’t seem to be bothering the Mentor senior, and it’s understandable. He’s having the time of his football life.
“Lately I’ve just been so focused on my team, and getting to the big show this week,” said Tatarunas.
Still, Tatarunas’ situation is an example of how big-time college teams’ mad rush to secure the nation’s talent allows others to fall through the cracks.
It could be a scramble to the recruiting finish line for Tatarunas. Coaches can begin contact with players Dec. 1. For years, national signing day for football has been early February, and it still is. However, the NCAA recently signed off on an early signing period, set for Dec. 20.
“It is frustrating,” said Trivisonno of the recent trend in recruiting. “So many kids are getting passed over, and I think that’s why you see so much parity in college football.
“You’re seeing a lot of misses. The system is kind of screwed up. How can you really know what a kid will be like in college when he’s a high school sophomore? They can’t even drive at that age.”
Trivisonno said a state championship in his QB’s back pocket would be a bump for recruiters. But the entire package he’s delivered in 2017 and game film should be enough. He hopes it’s enough because the coach has told many of his players hoping to play college ball that “things don’t always work out the way you want, and that life isn’t always fair.”
Tatarunas’ recruiting story has yet to be told. But the feeling is he’ll fall into some coach’s lap, probably unexpectedly, and make that coach feel fortunate. This is the season coaches are fired and hired. With that, comes openings in recruiting classes.
“Without a doubt, Tadas is at least a (MidAmerican Conference) guy,” said Trivisonno. “He can play in the MAC, but we’ll see. I think things will work out for Tadas.”
Contact Podolski at MPodolski@News-Herald. com; On Twitter: @mpodo.