Voytik’s photo was featured on the cover of the Sports section of Wednesday’s edition, with a feature by writer Jim Halley on national high school all-star games. The story included several comments by Voytik’s father, Dr. Gary Voytik.
The article was about how all-star games for prep athletes have become big business and highly competitive.
Voytik’s father, who has been active in the recruiting process for his son’s services in college, said the Blue Raiders’ quarterback has attended 16 camps and combines and five two-day camps since he first entered high school. He said his son also has a quarterback coach in the offseason.
Gary Voytik said this effort has been a huge assistance in 15 offers his son has received from major schools and universities, adding that Chad has narrowed his choices to Mississippi State and Pittsburgh. The scholarship offer from the SEC Bulldogs came before Voytik’s junior season last fall.
The Cleveland star’s father was also quoted as saying participation in the camps and combines “levels the playing field” in college recruitment.
“If you’re from a small high school in Tennessee you will more than likely be overlooked by players from larger states,” he said. He added that the combines allow recruiting experts to make a better comparison (of a player’s skills and potential).
The Cleveland High quarterback committed several weeks ago to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January, one of the nation’s top postseason all-star games for high school players. The game will be played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, and will be televised by NBC.
The Army game, with 90 of the top college prospects from across the nation, has gained notoriety over the past 10 years. Several other games are now scheduled and are competing for talent. One of the top contenders is the ESPN-sponsored Under Armour game.
The USA Today article also quoted Mike Ferrell, an analyst for Rivals.com national recruiting services, as saying Voytik’s position at quarterback is the hardest to evaluate for college recruiters.
South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier told Halley that Gamecock recruits are allowed to participate in all-star games because it is an honor. Spurrier added, though, that the honor can come with a price.
“After being told how great they are (at all-star games), they come in thinking they’re going to play right away,” Spurrier said in the article. “When that doesn’t happen, you can have some problems.”
Spurrier added, “I heard one guy say that once they come to your campus, you start de-recruiting them.”
