On the COVID recruiting trail Part 1

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As is normally the case, high school football players across the country are trying their best to be seen by college football coaches on the recruiting trail. However, the coronavirus pandemic has caused in-person recruiting to be shut down, taking away their chances to be seen by coaches at summer camps as well as visiting campuses of prospective schools. The Sumter Item met with football players from Sumter, Lakewood and Crestwood to see how they've maneuvered through this process.

MARCUS LANE - SUMTER SENIOR WIDE RECEIVER

NOTEWORTHY OFFERS: Trine University, Methodist University, Monmouth College, Catholic University of America, Westminster College, American University, Lake Forest College, Brevard College, Ferrum College, University of Rochester, St. Vincent College, Ohio Northern University, Otterbein University, Huntington College, Carthage College

How has the pandemic affected your recruiting process?

For me, it's probably slowing it down, because I talked to a lot of mid-major Dis (Football Bowl Championship schools), and they just want to see me in person. They want to see how I actually run, how I actually look, how I actually lift, stuff like that. It kind of slowed it down, but everything happens for a reason, so you've gotta be patient.

What would missing out on football this fall do for your plans to play in college?

It would be a disaster. I was trying not to really focus on the offers I've been getting and the attention I've been getting, I've tried to focus on getting better with my guys and having a season.

If football season was moved to the spring, would you potentially accept one of your offers and enroll in college in the spring, skipping your senior season in the process?

Definitely, that's one of my biggest options. I have one class in the first semester, which is weightlifting, so I'm kind of looking into everything like should I enroll in the fall? That's probably the thing that I'm most certain with is if it moves to the spring, I'll enroll in January.

HAYDEN VASQUEZ - SUMTER SENIOR QUARTERBACK

NOTEWORTHY OFFERS: Methodist University, Ferrum College, University of Virginia at Wise

How has the pandemic affected your recruiting process?

At this time, we probably would be starting practices and stuff, but we're obviously not because of the virus, so it's definitely impacted it a lot. I'm still trying my best to get to camps and stuff and to compete and get reps.

Have the camps you've attended helped you during the recruiting process during the pandemic?

I think it has. I mean, I'm starting to get out there with a few guys and building a lot of cool relationships with people. You see the same people at every camp, so building a cool bond even if it's not your teammates and getting reps in.

What would missing out on football this fall do for your plans to play in college?

I'm a senior, so just like a lot of the other guys I'd lose a lot of offers probably because you're not having a season to show what you've improved on from last season. It'll definitely impact it.

If football season was moved to the spring, would you potentially accept one of your offers and enroll in college in the spring, skipping your senior season in the process?

I haven't really thought about it that much, but it would probably be a possibility.