I was watching some scouting clips last night and it really got me thinking about how much pressure we put on these kids before they've even had a real chance to fail. Every single year, the hype machines start spinning up, pointing at some blue-chip recruit and telling us they're going to be the savior of the program. It's like we've forgotten that being a top-tier prospect is a far cry from actually leading a team through a grueling season.
I remember back in college, I used to follow these "can't-miss" players religiously. I'd buy the jerseys and follow every bit of news, only to watch them disappear from the spotlight two years later because the expectations were just too high. It’s a massive mental hurdle. We treat these players like finished products when they're really just teenagers trying to figure out how to handle the spotlight without cracking.
Do you guys think the modern era of constant social media scouting makes it harder for young athletes to actually develop at their own pace?
I remember back in college, I used to follow these "can't-miss" players religiously. I'd buy the jerseys and follow every bit of news, only to watch them disappear from the spotlight two years later because the expectations were just too high. It’s a massive mental hurdle. We treat these players like finished products when they're really just teenagers trying to figure out how to handle the spotlight without cracking.
Do you guys think the modern era of constant social media scouting makes it harder for young athletes to actually develop at their own pace?