If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying.
Such are the oft-echoed words of legendary quarterback Joe Montana, an apt summary of the college football landscape in both the past and present. Recruiting has always been about getting as close to the metaphorical line as possible – or, at least, not getting caught when you cross it.
Whether it’s the old days of Tennessee stuffing under-the-table cash payments in McDonald’s bags, or the new age of schools like Texas Tech openly flaunting lavish spending, programs will do whatever it takes to try and get to the top.