Recruiting: A Day in the Life

If you ever wanted to know just how crazy life can be in world of recruiting, just ask the Washington Huskies. In a span of the last 24 hours, the Dawgs have had two published decommits and one published verbal commitment. As topsy-turvy as the recruiting process can be, a fan who follows the twists and turns of the 'recruiting process' can never really be ready for events so extraordinary.

"Well, I've decommitted from Washington and I'm now committed to Oregon State," Pittsburg, California's Albert Toeaina told Dawgman.com yesterday morning. "Really, it came down to the coaches. The Oregon State coaches have the background to get me where I need to go. Not that Coach Neuheisel couldn't do that, but they all are from the NFL and they know how to get me there. That, and my parents really liked the coaches too. It's not just my decision, it's a family decision."

The 6-5, 325-pound offensive lineman was clearly in the Huskies' corner at the time of the announcement, acting as a vocal cheerleader for the program during his week in Southern California participating in the CaliFlorida All-Star game. So it makes the timing of the events all the stranger.

Adding even more intrigue to the mix was the fact that Albert left the door open once again for another potential suitor, perhaps even a daliance with the original program he committed to. "The Washington and Oregon coaches keep calling me," Albert said. "They want to come to my house. I just might let them, but I'm not sure. I have to think about it."

Just when Husky fans were dusting themselves off they were knocked down again, courtesy of San Pedro (Calif.) El Camino defensive end Chris Solomona. Chris had already committed to the Husky coaches twice, once out of San Pedro High School in 2000 and then again on his official visit to Seattle in December. Without reservations, Solomona appeared destined to be a Dawg, even if it took two extra years for the deed to be done.

Over the course of the last two months, Chris has wavered, taking official trips to Arizona, Oregon and BYU, eventually letting everybody know that he had dropped Washington from his dance card. The latest reports have Solomona making tracks to Eugene to play for the Ducks, but expect this 3-ring circus to rotate ad nauseum unitl signing day. The Husky coaches have an in-home visit with Chris and his family today, so anything's possible at this point.

And then, just when it looked like the book would slam shut on what had to be one of the more depressing chapters in Washington recruiting history, redemption was served in the form of Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha defensive end Brandon Ala. “I just felt real comfortable there,” the 6-3, 230-pound Ala told Steve Reardon of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. The paper considers Brandon to be the number two recruit in the state, behind Kahuku's Jonathan Mapu, another Husky target. "All the schools have been telling me I could play right away, so that wasn’t really a factor.”

With other players still high on the Dawg's wish list, like Player of the Year Lorenzo Booker, Husky fans should definitely stock up on their favorite antacid of choice. My preference is Tums, but I've heard that Rolaids also do the trick. But for as much as some days put double-knots in your stomach, the recruiting junkie always comes back for more, and Husky fans are no exception.

So from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs, you now have a glimpse into a recruiting 'day in the life', albeit a slightly more exaggerated form of the original. At this point of the year, the recruiting process is akin to a roller-coaster. Complete with all the drops, rises and 'dipsy-doodles' that makes them so worthwhile. Enjoy the ride.

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