SWAC: Hunt for hidden gems

Coast football players fall under the recruiting radar each year. The three in-state SWAC schools -- Alcorn State, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State -- all plan to find a few hidden gems. SWAC programs usually don’t start recruiting until the first week of December to better utilize their resources in these tough economic times.

“The SWAC programs are going to really get active now that the seasons are over,” Steve Robertson of Scout.com said. “They don’t have the budgets the bigger schools do, so they don’t have a lot of on campus events like summer camps to evaluate a lot of talent. They have to depend on good old-fashion road work and film study.

Recruiting season hits full gear for Alcorn State

LORMAN — Alcorn State’s 2010 season might have ended last on Nov. 20 with a 27-14 loss to Jackson State in the Capital City Classic. But the Braves’ second season is still in full swing. Now that the season is over, Alcorn State coaches are canvassing the state and country trying to find athletes that will keep the Braves’ program heading in the right direction.

In the last three years, Alcorn has improved its record from 2-10 to 3-6 to 5-6. And head coach Earnest Collins said getting quality recruits is critical to continuing the upward trend of the program.

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