When recruits take Texas facility tours, this is where their focus should go

Unlike many college football programs in the country, the Texas Longhorns did not host official visits this weekend. I’d assume third-year head coach Steve Sarkisian did not want his staff to be spread too thin since they’re holding a mega camp today. 

Smart move if you ask me.

Even with the army of support staff and interns, it can be extremely difficult to give every high priority recruit, official visitor, and their families the attention they need and expect from Sarkisian and his coaches.

Some camp attendees will most likely be given a facilities tour that showcases the resources Texas offers. There have been a lot of upgrades since 2017, which are very appealing to the eyes. It’s a big deal to many recruits just to be inside the building of such an historic program. 

When I gave tours, I definitely let recruits soak it all in, but I’d eventually ask them and their families to not pay too much attention to the trophies of the past and all the cool and shiny stuff.

My advice to them was to focus on what really matters during the facilities tour. That starts with the strength and conditioning program, which is how their bodies will be prepared for physical punishment. The resources in the athletic training room and medical area are where they repair their bodies from injuries and wear and tear of the game. Nutrition and a hydration program are also equally important.

In my opinion, that should be the focus of recruits, especially the parents.

Football is a violent, collision sport that our bodies were not meant for. For some reason, we’re stupid crazy in love with human beings running into other human beings. It’s fun, and it makes a lot of people a lot of money.

Last time I checked, the average NFL career lasts roughly 2.7 years. It’s not a career, it’s a bonus experience reserved for the best college players who are able to stay healthy enough to continue punishing their bodies. Most college freshmen will have already played more football than they have in front of them. It’s an eye-opening realization that doesn’t truly hit them until it’s too late.

At some point, these 18-year olds will be husbands, fathers, and will need their bodies and brains to provide for their future families. The strength and conditioning, athletic training, and nutrition programs are way more important to their well being than the 2005 national championship trophy that is displayed in the Moncrief Complex.

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