Tom, very solid work on the article on the front page on Iowa's recruiting momentum.
This momentum has to make it easier to get kids who otherwise would be inclined to shop around to commit to Iowa sooner. I also wonder how much the momentum makes it easier to retain the committed players and even keep them from taking other visits.
The idea being that if player X starts taking other visits, if now with some degree of credibility, Wallace can call player X and say "Fine, take your visit to that school. But we have guys lined up to take your spot." Of course, a coach can always make that claim. But it would seem to carry much more credibility when there is this type of momentum. It's almost like these guys are all committing at their visit or shortly after because there is a perception that they need to do it to reserve their spot. That may also cause them to perceive they may lose their spot if they shop around publicly.
This momentum has to make it easier to get kids who otherwise would be inclined to shop around to commit to Iowa sooner. I also wonder how much the momentum makes it easier to retain the committed players and even keep them from taking other visits.
The idea being that if player X starts taking other visits, if now with some degree of credibility, Wallace can call player X and say "Fine, take your visit to that school. But we have guys lined up to take your spot." Of course, a coach can always make that claim. But it would seem to carry much more credibility when there is this type of momentum. It's almost like these guys are all committing at their visit or shortly after because there is a perception that they need to do it to reserve their spot. That may also cause them to perceive they may lose their spot if they shop around publicly.
