FCS playoff run impacts NDSU football recruiting

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The regular season ended on Nov. 19 and North Dakota State is still playing football. The NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs do have a buzz.

Part of it is not recruiting.

While other FCS coaches are on the road Monday through Friday visiting recruiting prospects, most of the Bison coaches are in their offices drawing up game plans and studying Saturday's semifinal opponent at the Fargodome, Georgia Southern.

"It's tough for a lot of different reasons," said Tim Polasek, NDSU's assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. "No. 1, I feel like we're losing a relationship you might have established because now other coaches are in there. Coaches are getting into the schools and getting to know these kids better and we're back here."

The perception that winning automatically draws in players is not always true, said head coach Craig Bohl. He only has to go back two years for the perfect example: The Bison finished 3-8, yet had one of their best recruiting classes ever.

NDSU has been able to schedule some recruiting visits at the Fargodome to coincide with the playoff games. Packed houses and a 12-1 record can never hurt.

Bohl said he's been on the road a little bit recruiting. NDSU's latest known offer is wide receiver Carey Woods from Bemidji, Minn., who has yet to make a decision.

"But we owe it to this program, to these seniors, to do everything we can to take this team as far as it can go," Bohl said. "We also owe it to this program so we're doing the best with the resources we have to keep winning and recruiting."

NDSU has about the same verbal commitments as it did last year at this time.

The recruiting situation isn't quite as testy at Georgia Southern. Eagles head coach Jeff Monken said earlier this week that there is plenty of time in January to get necessary work done. He cites kids being on the bubble of major conference schools and that they wouldn't commit now anyway.

"I think having a successful program benefits recruiting more than anything," he said. "Having the opportunity to be in the playoffs and in the final four and national TV probably does more for us in recruiting than going into a high school or a kids' home. It's way more than a fair tradeoff being in the playoffs."

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