Pandemic forces adaptation

Coaches’ recruiting process changing with times during coronavirus pandemic

Much of the year, the colors of college football in central Florida remain the same, be it Florida Gators’ orange and blue or gold paired with either UCF black or FSU garnet.

But when late spring rolls around, the Sunshine State becomes saturated with the hues of other high-profile programs as recruiters arrive from all corners of the country to evaluate area high school talent.

RECRUITING IN CORONAVIRUS ERA

Due to the coronavirus shutdown, gray areas now abound, forcing all parties involved to adapt to an alien recruiting landscape.

The mass migration south of college football coaches has been stopped in its tracks, and one of the busiest stretches on the calendar has been put on hold.

“Florida is one of those states where everybody recruits it heavily,” said Mike

Farrell, the national recruiting director at Rivals.com. “From Ohio State to Iowa to Minnesota to USC to up in the northeast at a place like Syracuse. Now none of them can go in there.”

Since the NCAA extended the recruiting dead period through May 31, programs are stuck at home rather than spending this month traveling Florida to watch players practice and ultimately compete in spring games. Prospects once set to begin spring practices April 27, culminating with spring classic exhibition games at the end