I finally tracked down quarterback Brandon Rose of Murrieta Valley (Calif.), who picked up an offer from NU last month.
It sounds like NU is really recruiting this guy hard. They started talking to him about a year ago, then it let up for a while, and now it's heavy again, he said. He says that he talks to Bajakian two or three times a week, and Bajakian has talked to his mom and dad, too. He got a chance to talk to Fitz, which really meant something to him. "They're really trying to bring Northwestern to us so we can get a field of the campus and the coaching staff," he said. "It's all love from Northwestern."
What stands out about NU to Rose is that it's a Top 10 academic school and a Top 10 football program -- which is something I'm hearing a lot these days. He also mentioned another biggee -- the value of a Northwestern offer. "They take their time with offering guys. They don't throw around offers." That's a message coaches are really drilling home with prospects.
He called himself a passer first and a "true pro-style quarterback," but Bajakian must be comfortable enough with his mobility. California didn't play football in the fall, so Murrieta Valley opens its season on March 19. He is "super excited" for the season -- you could hear it in his voice.
Rose said that distance from home is "something to consider but not a deciding factor." He doesn't really have a timetable right now and is just getting started in his recruitment. He's unsure of his plan moving forward because of the dead period. He's only been to on the campus of one school that's offered him: Arizona State.
It sounds like NU is really recruiting this guy hard. They started talking to him about a year ago, then it let up for a while, and now it's heavy again, he said. He says that he talks to Bajakian two or three times a week, and Bajakian has talked to his mom and dad, too. He got a chance to talk to Fitz, which really meant something to him. "They're really trying to bring Northwestern to us so we can get a field of the campus and the coaching staff," he said. "It's all love from Northwestern."
What stands out about NU to Rose is that it's a Top 10 academic school and a Top 10 football program -- which is something I'm hearing a lot these days. He also mentioned another biggee -- the value of a Northwestern offer. "They take their time with offering guys. They don't throw around offers." That's a message coaches are really drilling home with prospects.
He called himself a passer first and a "true pro-style quarterback," but Bajakian must be comfortable enough with his mobility. California didn't play football in the fall, so Murrieta Valley opens its season on March 19. He is "super excited" for the season -- you could hear it in his voice.
Rose said that distance from home is "something to consider but not a deciding factor." He doesn't really have a timetable right now and is just getting started in his recruitment. He's unsure of his plan moving forward because of the dead period. He's only been to on the campus of one school that's offered him: Arizona State.
