Recruiting Wars

Tap, tap, tap— squeak.

A morning in mid-January.

Exhaling a long plume of smoke, David stood outside the hotel he'd more or less come to live in these days, scrolling through something on his phone.

After the championship, the flood of attention surrounding Jaehyuk had been overwhelming, but with about a month now passed, things had finally begun to settle down.

Even so, David Johnson, Alabama's chief scout, was flying out to Wichita nearly every week to meet with Jaehyuk and his family.

I already pissed on this tree. Nobody else gets to touch it.

That was how badly he wanted to beat out every rival school circling the kid, and David came bearing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that sincerity and devotion with every visit.

The brass upstairs, too, had watched the championship final with their own eyes and sweetened the terms even further.

While an every-game starting spot might be a stretch, they'd guaranteed him a rotation starter slot.

In other words, he would absolutely see the field at least once every two games. Running backs in particular burned through stamina and carried brutal injury risk, so most teams cycled multiple backs into a single game anyway.

The moment he was named a starter, playing time was practically guaranteed — he might even end up suiting up every single game.

And in David's judgment, a player with Jaehyuk's ability would claw his way up the depth chart in no time and seize the outright starting job.

Thunk.

David climbed into his car and began to drive.

His destination was Wichita North High School, where Jaehyuk was — with winter break over, classes would be in full swing.

And the reason for this particular visit was the camp.

This time, David himself would be escorting Jaehyuk to the camp, and as a program official he needed to submit the relevant paperwork to the school.

The camp was a full four days and three nights.

Compared to the typical camp that ran a single day or lasted just a few daytime hours, that was remarkably long.

An invite-only elite camp gathering the nation's top underclassman prospects, the event covered lodging and meals in an all-inclusive, first-class itinerary — and with it came far bigger buzz and media attention than your average showcase.

"Heh heh, I can't wait to see how hard our Jaehyuk tears it up out there."

Meanwhile, over at the school David was driving toward, a small commotion was brewing.

The American school system ran on a different calendar than Korea's.

Where Korea started a new grade in March, here the fall semester marked the start of a new school year.

Breaks came in winter and summer, plus a scattering of minor ones — winter ran about two weeks, while summer stretched to a full two months.

And so the spring semester began, the winter break behind them.

Jaehyuk had come in for training every single day of the break, but with school back in session, the atmosphere was undeniably different now.

It started with the banner hung huge across the school's front gate.

Then came the stares from every student and teacher he passed in the halls.

"Hey, Jaehyuk!"

"Good luck with practice today."

"Wanna grab lunch later?"

"You free tonight? Jack's throwing a house party."

The attention came pouring in regardless of gender.

Kids whose names he didn't even know would wave and act like old friends, but he returned the greetings anyway.

"Wait, who...?"

"It's me, me! Jessica."

"Right. Jessica. Have a good one."

"Huh? Jaehyuk, wh-what about the house party?"

The state championship had rolled straight into winter break, so none of it had quite felt real yet — but now it was starting to sink in.

And it wasn't just him. Every member of the football team now carried that kind of pull across the entire school, and Liam in particular had been absolutely insufferable since coming back from the high school all-star game.

On the strength of his season, Liam had been named to the national all-star roster. From what Jaehyuk heard, his team had lost, but he'd apparently put on quite a show.

Then again, that game was more spectacle ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠than sport — win or lose, nobody much cared.

Jaehyuk had watched it live on the living room TV with his family.

Class had finally ended, and he'd been on his way to the locker room when the loudspeaker suddenly called his name.

When he arrived at the front office, a woman greeted him with a bright, easy smile.

"Oh my, hello! So you're Jaehyuk."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Julia Lawrence, from the University of Georgia. Lovely to meet you."

So she was a scout, then.

She was far younger and more vibrant than any recruiter he'd met so far, which was why he hadn't guessed.

"You're a scout?"

"That's right. You do know where Georgia is, don't you?"

"Nope."

"Huh? You don't? The University of Georgia?"

Was it famous?

Jaehyuk answered with a small nod of his head.

"As recently as two years ago, we had the number one college football team in the nation. We've won four national championships and seventeen conference titles."

"Oh, is that so?"

So it really was a big deal.

To someone who knew nothing, the title of national #1 carried a lot more weight than a string of championship counts.

"We finished this season ranked sixth, but we've got the depth and firepower to claw back to number one whenever we want."

"I see."

When Jaehyuk simply listened in silence, Julia grew even more confident and launched into this and that.

"We used to be the perennial so-close powerhouse, but ever since Coach Kirby Smart took over we've been enjoying the golden era of the program. Having a player like you join us would make us truly formidable. So — have you already committed anywhere?"

"No. Not yet."

"Oh! Well, that's great news for us. Of course, I'm not asking you to sign anything on the spot. It's just that as a school with a long history of producing elite running backs, we're very interested in you! Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, D'Andre Swift — and most recently James Cook. Every one of them an NFL running back out of our program. Our system is purpose-built to develop the position."

Julia paused for a moment to gauge his reaction.

Needless to say, Jaehyuk didn't recognize a single name she'd listed.

When he showed no visible response, she seemed to grow a touch desperate and pressed on.

"Honestly, Jaehyuk? I watched your film and fell head over heels. The championship final footage alone — our entire scouting department has lost count of how many times we've replayed it. Truly, the only word for it is insane!"

"Could I at least hear the terms in broad strokes?"

"Of course!"

Apparently deciding he was showing interest at last, Julia nodded quickly, pulled out a tablet, and began showing him this and that.

"First, we're prepared to offer you a full scholarship."

A full scholarship.

Tuition waived entirely, with housing and meals covered on top — the very best terms available.

But unfortunately, nearly every scout who'd come calling so far had led with the same offer.

"And we'd give you the chance to compete for a starting job the moment you enroll. The competition will be fierce, of course, but with your ability I'm confident you could push your way into the rotation."

"Hmm."

Depth chart battles didn't scare him.

But next to the guaranteed rotation spot Alabama had put on the table, the terms felt hopelessly vague.

They weren't promising to start him — just to let him compete for it. Frankly, it sounded like wordplay.

"Word on the street is that Alabama's got the inside track with you right now?"

"I do see them fairly often."

"Jaehyuk, this might be me overstepping a little, but Alabama's going through a period of transition right now. A brand-new coaching staff, shaky results... They're still a strong team, of course, but they're not what they used to be."

It seemed this woman had walked in with some badly outdated information.

Jaehyuk let out a soft chuckle and nodded.

"Julia, was it?"

"Yes."

"Julia, here's the thing. Whether the school I enroll in is weak or strong doesn't really matter to me."

"What do you mean?"

He looked her straight in the eyes as confusion washed over her face. Then he spoke, slowly and clearly.

"All I want is the greatest battlefield there is. I'm looking for a school that will give me the opportunity and the stage to prove myself. Whichever school I enter, I'll be the one to win them a championship. And if you think about it that way, a weaker program might actually suit me better."

"......"

Julia's mouth snapped shut at his words.

After a beat, she recovered her composure and nodded.

"I... see."

"That's not to say I have anything against Georgia. I'm confident in my ability to win a starting job, too. But all things being equal, I'd rather go where my value is recognized more, where I'm wanted more."

"Well... I suppose there are schools out there that have already guaranteed you a starting spot, aren't there."

Julia exhaled a long sigh and wiped her forehead.

But then she pulled herself back together, brightening again.

"Let me work on it. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'll go back to the brass and reopen negotiations."

"Thank you for understanding ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠exactly what I meant."

"Oh, don't mention it. If anything, I feel like I understand you a little better now — and that makes me happy."

They both rose from their seats and shook hands.

But right at that moment.

"Well, well. Julia Lawrence. What are you doing here?"

A voice came from behind them, sudden and pointed.

Jaehyuk turned to find David walking in, brow furrowed.

"Word reached me that our boy Jaehyuk was here, and what do I find? A fox wagging her tail at him."

"Long time no see, Dave! But honestly — me wagging my tail? Anyone scheming to lock up a player this good ahead of everyone else is the real fox here, wouldn't you say?"

Julia waved it off with a graceful smile.

The mood stayed friendly, but it felt like an invisible exchange of blows had just passed between the two of them.

"In any case, if you're done talking, why don't you see yourself out. We have camp business to discuss."

"Camp? Oh, the Nike Upper Deck camp, you mean?"

"Nope, nope. And if you're finished here, get moving."

David flapped his hand at her, shooing her out.

Every line of it carried a single message: you will not take this kid from me.

Then again, if Jaehyuk had sprinted to a player first and marked his territory, he wouldn't be thrilled watching someone else circle it either.

But that was David's problem. As for Jaehyuk — if someone offered better terms, he wasn't exactly opposed to listening.

So this is what being proven worth it looks like.

Turns out ability really did make people come to you.

"Oh, and as it happens, one of our own signed prospects will be at that camp too. Maybe we'll be seeing each other again real soon?"

"Enough. Go. Get out."

Julia smiled to the very end, flashing one last goodbye at Jaehyuk as she left.

Jaehyuk gave her a small nod, then turned to David.

"Honestly, Georgia wasn't going to offer you anything big anyway. The best they'd do is promise you a shot at the starter competition, right?"

"Ooh. Those scouting instincts really don't rust, do they."

"Heh heh, I can read the room. Georgia's in a position where they don't need anything right now. The in-state talent pool alone is monstrous. Honestly, the impressive part is that they reached out for you at all."

Even as he said it, David kept glancing toward the spot where Julia had vanished. However much he scoffed, it was clear he considered her a genuine threat.

"Jaehyuk, by the way — don't you think it's about time you started looking into an agency?"

"An agency?"

"Meeting every scout one-on-one like this eats up a ton of your time, and before long the contract talk and schedule management will be more than you can handle yourself."

As it happened, Eunbi had said the same thing just the day before.

Apparently several agencies had already been approaching their parents directly.

Which meant the busiest person in the Kim household right now wasn't Jaehyuk at all.

Since the state championship, the whole family had never been busier. Jaehyuk, meanwhile, just kept up his daily training routine.

"We could introduce you to someone on our end. And to be clear, us making an introduction doesn't come with strings attached to signing with Alabama. Agencies are all out for their own cut anyway."

"I'll think about it. Talking it over with my parents sounds like a good idea."

"Good. Then let's file the paperwork for this four-day camp itinerary and head straight over to see your folks, shall we?"

"I've got training, though."

"Ahem. Right. Then we'll go after training."

The regular season had ended, and the offseason had arrived.

Alabama's college players, having survived the grueling regular season, had settled into their winter conditioning block.

Clang— boom!

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

The groan of heavy bars being pressed and the whir of treadmills turning over. The Alabama facility hummed with all manner of conditioning work, and the whole place felt like something out of the near future.

Cutting-edge equipment of every description and strange machines whose purposes were anyone's guess. And the people who handled them with practiced ease, devoted to maintaining their bodies.

Footsteps, unhurried.

Someone came walking slowly into the training hall. Not a player — a fairly ordinary-looking middle-aged man.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer.

"Any volunteers in here for some talent-sharing?"

He'd walked in and called it out without warning.

At his words, a handful of players who happened to be resting perked up.

"What's that supposed to mean, Coach?"

One Black player with a frankly monstrous physique asked the question.

"Day after tomorrow, Nike Upper Deck is hosting a skill camp — four days, three nights. The invitees are underclassman high school prospects. I need one of you to serve as a mentor there for about a day."

The response was lukewarm at best.

Most of the guys went back to their business or just waved their hands with a laugh.

They lived under crushing pressure to not fall behind their competition by even a single day, so none of them had a reason to spend one at a high school camp.

"Just one spot. And for what it's worth, I'm going too."

"Hmm."

As DeBoer kept talking, about half a dozen players finally began to weigh it.

Then one of the guys working the bench abruptly sprang to his feet and walked over.

"I'll go."

"Horton."

He was a player with a heavy, chiseled face.

Firm bronze muscle gleamed with sweat, and his braided hair lent an already imposing presence an extra edge of intimidation.

Wide receiver Isaiah Horton, who had transferred from Miami to Alabama this season.

In high school, he'd put up utterly dominant numbers on the strength of his explosive play.

But after making the jump to the college ranks, his production had dwindled to almost nothing and he'd lost his way — until he ultimately transferred to Alabama.

Maybe here, he thought, he could finally find it again.

"You sure about this?"

"You took a chance on me, Coach. The least I can do is this much."

Privately, Horton felt he owed a debt to Alabama and to DeBoer.

They'd accepted his transfer despite his unimpressive numbers, so no chore was beneath him.

"Alright. We leave the day after tomorrow at eight in the morning. Be ready."

"Yes, sir."

Granted, he wasn't exactly lighting up the college ranks at the moment.

But he was still a man who had torn the entire high school circuit apart on his way up. To the current generation of high schoolers, his very existence was the stuff of idols.

Already, in this market, a D1 college football player was treated better than most professional athletes in other sports.

Underclassman high school prospects, huh... They'll be nothing but babies. I'll just go, play nice, and come back.

So thought Isaiah Horton.

Then he sat back down on the bench and got back to work.