FOOTBALL: Ball State recruits not decommiting after 2-10 season

Stan Parrish said a 2-10 record hasn't put a damper on Ball State University's recruiting efforts this year.

With high school and college football seasons completed, the recruiting trail is heating up. Parrish spent last week on the road and started again early Monday morning. The Cardinals have not lost any recruits after the disappointing season.

"All committed kids stayed committed," Parrish said. "They knew we were a very young team that had tough things happen to us."

Parrish said much of the recruiting for this class was done with the 12-win season in mind.

"A lot of this year's recruiting was done last summer," Parrish said. "How we do next year is the challenge."

The Cardinals are still trying to land a few recruits before the signing period opens Feb. 3. Parrish is not allowed to comment on recruits until they have signed their Letter of Intent, but Ball State is still in the mix for some high profile recruits.

Parrish is spending part of his week in Cleveland and will likely visit Ohio Division I runner-up Glenville High School and powerhouse St. Ignatius High School. The Cardinals are interested in Glenville safety Aaron Morris and St. Ignatius offensive lineman Jake Ryan, wide receiver Connor Ryan's brother.

The pitch Parrish is using with the current crop of recruits includes Ball State's season-ending victory at Western Michigan University, a game that was played on national TV.

"To win a nationally-televised game that when you look at it, would probably have been in a bowl game, was a very positive way to finish," Parrish said. "We all feel that the future is very bright and that we will win again very soon. That's the theme that we're preaching."

The 2009 recruiting class immediately impacted the Cardinals, with 10 members seeing significant playing time this year. Parrish anticipates the 2010 class as having a similar influence.

"Last year's class proved it on the field," Parrish said. "This year's can be just like it."

Still waiting: Parrish said he doesn't expect the NCAA to rule on MiQuale Lewis and Madaris Grant's medical redshirts until after Jan. 1.

Ball State petitioned for the extra years in September after Grant tore his ACL on Opening Night. Lewis tore his ACL during his sophomore year at the University of Nebraska.

Lewis and Grant were not honored on Senior Night and Parrish said he is confident they will be back.

"I'm optimistic that [Grant] and Quale will, but you're never sure until you get it in writing," Parrish said. "We'd be a lot better team with those guys."


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