It not only entitles you to free admission to the candy store, but it may also set you up for life in the form of an everlasting gobstopper.
Parkersburg High School all-America lineman Josh Jenkins is one of the lucky possessors of a Golden Ticket, although in Jenkins case luck has had little to do with it. Rather it’s his size, speed, strength, athletic ability and determination that have virtually every major college football program in America craving his services.
Jenkins has his pick of virtually any candy store. He’s narrowed the list to three and in all probability will announce his decision on or before national letter-of-intent signing day on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
It’s been amazing watching the parade of major college head coaches converge on the Parkersburg High School football office and the Jenkins household, making one last pitch why Jenkins should use his Golden Ticket to come to their candy store.
West Virginia coach Bill Stewart, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and Florida State coach Bobby Bowden —one of whom is about to secure Jenkins’ services —all have come courting.
The courting, referred to in college football circles as the recruiting process, is about to end.
When it does, we’ll not only learn where Jenkins is going, but he quickly will learn that he has gone from coveted recruit to just another freshman football player who must prove himself.
Freshmen —even ones as talented as Jenkins —don’t get many chances to impress the coaching staff during fall drills.
The head coach and his assistants are concentrating on those who won starting positions in spring drills, for they are the ones who will be sent into battle on opening day, not to mention the ones upon whom the coach’s livelihood will be staked.
Freshmen at major elite programs like the three Jenkins still is considering quickly learn that everybody there is big and strong and fast and that while there are various talent levels at play, it usually comes down to who wants it more that determines who gets the playing time and who has to wait their turn.
Just about the time you’ve worked your way up the depth chart, here comes another talented incoming class with several more guys hungry to take your job and your position on the depth chart.
College football is a business. A big business in which the players are nothing more than pawns on a chessboard that is brought out 12 times a year.
I’ve watched Jenkins handle the recruiting process as well as any 18-year-old can be expected to do.
I’ve admired the patience of his mentors, Parkersburg High School head coach Bernie Buttrey and assistant coach Mark McCullough, who have put in lots of overtime making sure Jenkins acquires all the information he needs to make this huge career decision.
Jenkins has the tools not only to play on Saturdays, but he also could be playing on Sundays following his college career. He’s an immense talent. Ask Stewart. Ask Bowden. Ask Tressel.
It will be interesting to see where Jenkins goes with his Golden Ticket.
Wherever he goes, he deserves our support.
Contact Dave Poe at dpoe@newsandsentinel.com
