Simi Fehoko Recruiting 2014

Game Ball after breaking State Record- 24 Receiving TD's

Recruiting Simi Fehoko 2014

Today a friend asked me if the schools have talked money with us yet?  I thought this was odd but realized how most people don't have the slightest clue as to whats going on with the college football recruiting involving Simi.  So I thought today I would brag a bit (since that's what moms do) as well as educate you a bit.

NCAA rules for Division 1 Football state that Juniors may receive general correspondence through the mail starting September 1st. Coaches can reach out to him through Social Media (Twitter) and can speak directly to Simi by phone and text only if Simi calls them.  So they often ask him to call. Simi is also allowed one phone call from the coaches between April 15th and May 31st. Simi is allowed to make as many unofficial visits to the schools of interest that he desires.  While he visits these schools coaches may speak directly to him and make verbal offers.  All offers are for full ride scholarships.  This includes tuition, books, housing, food, stipend for clothing and misc. and a tutor.  Some schools stipend is more than other schools.  I don't know why that is. The schools usually have a recruiting room where they feed the boys and their families delicious food.  They charge a nominal fee and make sure you sign a form (so they don't get in trouble)  They also give each recruit 3 tickets to watch the game and most often 3 sideline tickets for the pre-game.  Football is a fun hobby but this is where it becomes a job for Simi.

V.J. Fehoko with Simi

From the first interview Simi ever did almost 9 months ago I can't say we were completely ready for all this madness but I can say we were prepared.  We definitely had a bag of tools that we were ready to use.  Simi's cousin V.J. Fehoko who played for the Utes then transferred his senior year to Texas Tech warned us about the onslaught of recruiting very early on.  While he was living in Utah he was a mentor to Simi and Jeremy and always reminded them of what was most important. (Grades)  We are very close with V.J. and he paved a pathway for our boys to follow.  It started with a customized workout tailored just for them.  Then a healthy meal plan to follow.  This included harmful substances to avoid, and the protein that was healthy.  He also helped with homework and kept reminding them that grades mattered.  He made a stretching workout and included sleep as a very vital role in their development.  He was a staple in our home.  His visits always included a tub of protein for the week, a workout in the yard, Ute gear to sport around, mock interviews and a lot of laughter and love! Most importantly V.J. taught our boys that their body is their greatest asset and they must take care of it.  Playing college ball is hard work.  He always told them it will become their JOB.

Simi is no where close to making up his mind when it comes to which school is right for him.  He continues to get mail from top ranking school from all over.  If I look through his box I would have to guess that most of these schools spend hundreds of dollars per recruit in just postage alone.  Some schools know Simi and his family members by name.  Some watch his games and highlights relentlessly because they mail him about specific plays during the game that week.  Some reach out by social media daily some not so often.  During all of this, Recruiting Scouts for these top school will call to interview Simi at least monthly if not more often.  These articles are posted all over the internet.  Some are posted on websites that are free to the public and some are private membership websites.  Simi is also frequently interviewed by the media after games.  We laugh at some of Simi's interviews, but once they come out we always do homework on what he can improve.  And trust me, this kid practices everything even his interviews.  He is getting better and will someday turn out the best interview ever!

Sideline at UCLA

This week was super fun to visit UCLA at the Rose Bowl.  You won't believe were all 92,000 people park?  The surrounding golf course is the parking lot.  Yes- the Fehoko's lost their car while there! They even gave us a map of the parking lot (I mean golf course) but it was like a rolling green maze of cars!  The hi- light was that UCLA had recruiting tickets for Jeremy too!  We all felt important while visiting!  I can say they took care of us!  Simi was able to talk with Coach Pritchard from Stanford while we were there.  It really was super fun.  The atmosphere and fans were definitely fired up.

Sideline at USC

The next day was USC.  The campus was packed full of students and fans.  We even joined the crowds in the bookstore for Thanksgiving shopping.  What really took my breath away was the Coliseum.  The pregame had a live DJ on the field, games and fun.  The Trojan came in riding a white horse and almost trampled Jeremy since he wasn't paying attention, just taking it all in.  The fans we were surrounded by were very boisterous and should really be put on the staff for USC.  They definitely tried to SELL us on USC.  One guy told Simi in a not so quite whisper, "We could really use a White Receiver!"  Simi though, "Too bad I'm not white!" And his friend told Simi super loud, "USC has everything you could want! Palm Trees and Porn Stars!"  That's when the polite African American family behind us pitched in to say, "Or CHURCH, We have CHURCH if that's what you want!"  I quickly reminded the fun loving guys next to us that I was Simi and Jeremy's MOM!  We all laughed together!  Osa Masina (one of Utah's top recruits also a BHS senior) was taking his official visit while we were there.  While my boys were standing on the sideline next to Osa, all the coaches came up to hug and greet Osa.  They then moved down the line to hug and greet Simi and Jeremy.  You could tell they all knew Osa by face but had to read Simi's name tag and then the lights came on.  Jeremy leaned over to whisper to Simi, "So how does this make you feel standing next to Osa?"  Simi replied with, "like a nobody."  Jeremy said, "Now just imagine what I feel like!"  Together they laughed out loud!

Starting September 1st of his Senior year he will be eligible to receive telephone calls from coaches once per week, take 5 official visits to the schools of his choosing which will be paid for by the college.  In home visit will start the first Sunday in December. Division 1 official signing day is typically the first week in February.  Simi has taken unofficial visits to Stanford, BYU, Utah, Utah State, UCLA, and USC.  Simi won't be making any decisions too soon.  He still has some schools to visit.  He would still like to visit Washington, Oregon, and ASU and maybe a few others.  To be honest the list changes daily!  This is an exciting time in Simi's life.  Our family consists of two older sisters both married and then Simi and Jeremy.  Simi also has many cousins, aunties, uncles, grandparents and great grandparents and we all have a lot to say to Simi about where he goes and you can imagine that just makes his decision that much harder!