Winning a national championship and coaching at a tradition rich program like Ohio State has more than its fair share of advantages, and many of them come on the recruiting front. Earlier this month Urban noted that some programs "offer scholarships like Pop Tarts," but he and his staff take a much different approach.
While talking with the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Meyer was asked about the Buckeye's approach to recruiting, and Meyer stressed that they're are a little different in the respect that they really focus on "doing things right" when it comes to offering scholarships.
"When I was in certain places other than Ohio State, you do have to offer in masses just to get into the game (with a recruit). Sometimes, if you’re one of the first offers, (you might have a better chance)." Meyer explained.
"At Ohio State, we’re much different. I want to do it really right. Our coaches want to do it right. So we really don’t offer you until we meet you, spend time with you, and make sure you know what you’re really getting involved with."
"Then you know sometimes, especially in our own home state, people around the kid will be saying ‘This school has offered him. He’s got 20 offers so far, but you guys (at Ohio State) haven’t offered yet.’ Then we’ll ask them, ‘Have you ever met that school? Have you guys been there and have talked to them yet?’ They say, ‘No, they just sent an offer.’ And I will be like ‘Now what is that? You just gave out a scholarship worth $30,000 per year to someone you never met?’"
Meyer acknowledged that some schools may have to operate that way, but fortunately, Ohio State isn't one of them.
If you're coaching at a level where scholarship money is in play, you may want to reconsider how you and your staff make your offers. Do you want to be viewed by your competitors as having an approach like Meyer and his staff, or the "Pop Tart" approach? Getting a feel for a kid via his social media profiles is one thing, but sitting down face to face with him and getting a feel for him as a person and how he fits within your program is a whole new ball game.