If you’re at a P5 public college in a decent size state with a top 25 football team, you have no need for internationals flooding your roster when you’re going to get the top Americans in your state. That’s 20 years of college coaching experience 8 of those at a P5(now P4) university. I could sign the top guys and girls without trying too hard. The best runner didn’t always come but those in the top 10-15 in the state every year I could land at least 3-4.
Matt Roe at Butler University? They're a healthy blend of Americans and internationals, which he has developed (save 1 or 2 transfer grads)... this could be a good year for them.
Curious how you left out Ed Eyestone. He hasn't had a single foreign athlete for at least 20 years.
Has he had a single American runner that isn’t Mormon.
Rory Linkletter is from Canada and isn't LDS. Adam Wood is from Utah but not LDS. There was a kid from Gig Harbor, WA that isn't LDS about 3 years ago. There are others.
Matt Roe at Butler University? They're a healthy blend of Americans and internationals, which he has developed (save 1 or 2 transfer grads)... this could be a good year for them.
Butler will be really good this year, but they are benefiting from being an older team. Hamlin is in his 7th year? Forrester and Gabay both 6th years?
Say you are Alabama, you will not be competitive only signing in state kids. Not a lot of distance talent and kids can choose to leave (Ethan Strand). So you can do that and get 10th in the SEC and get fired.
or you can sign some fast kids and keep your job.
I think a lot of this mindset is very American and it being the norm that we are “the best” at most sports. We certainly aren’t for distance running, so why not bring in good people? NCAA is semi pro now. Should Ohtani not be allowed to play for the Dodgers?
Say you are Alabama, you will not be competitive only signing in state kids. Not a lot of distance talent and kids can choose to leave (Ethan Strand). So you can do that and get 10th in the SEC and get fired.
or you can sign some fast kids and keep your job.
I think a lot of this mindset is very American and it being the norm that we are “the best” at most sports. We certainly aren’t for distance running, so why not bring in good people? NCAA is semi pro now. Should Ohtani not be allowed to play for the Dodgers?
Alabama is a small state without a lot of distance talent so this wouldn’t qualify. California, Florida, Texas, Indiana, New York, etc. these states have the talent, but yes you can go out of state there are many options. Point is P5 schools usually have to compete with other P5 schools for the top American runners.