[64black&gold]

I'm in agreement that many of the kids would have received D1 scholarships even without this event. However, the claim that all kids that are D1 material will get looks is simply wrong. When was it that Kash and Drake went from small D1 recruits to nationally ranked prospects with offers from all the big boys? It was after camps where they had the opportunity to prove themselves. They were put on the recruiting scene at an earlier age by these scouting services and given the opportunity that people are taking for granted. Kentucky lacks the overall talent that other states have, but even more so we lack the exposure for our athletes outside of Louisville and Lexington.

It wasn't in a middle school all star game. I can bet you that. That's my point. When a kid shows some special speed or ability his first couple of years in high school then they go to camps between their soph/jr year and jr/sr year. Those camps garner them attention. Not middle school all star games. These middle school all star things would have been great actually about 20 years ago. Social media erased the need for it now. If there is a kid in Alaska who can kick 70 yard field goals when he is in 8th grade I guarantee you the whole world will know about it be the middle of his freshman year of high school if not sooner. Naia recruiters have 3 to 4 names of kids to keep an eye on from almost every high school in their recruiting area regardless of their record by the time the kids are soph's or jr's. I know this.

Listen I am not saying these middle school all star game (series) things are bad. I think they are fine if taken for what they are. A showcase of some sort for kids who are more developed or talented and playing in them is something to be proud of. My only point is that I do not personally think it helps any kid get any more opportunity than he would have otherwise.