Aloha!
Nick Maddox figures a trip to Hawaii in 1999 helped accelerate fans' fascination with college football recruiting.
The process is much different now as National Signing Day approaches on Wednesday.
"I think we were on the front end of the transition," said Maddox, 34, the former Florida State player who was one of the country's most sought-after running backs 16 years ago.
The Kannapolis native and A.L. Brown grad was in the Aloha State as part of the Rivals.com High School All-American team.
The recruiting network sponsored the Hula Bowl, a postseason all-star game for college seniors, and its All-American team was recognized during the game in Honolulu.
Halftime from Aloha Stadium was filled with drama and excitement, too.
Maddox said that's when Darnell Dockett, regarded as the top defensive end in the nation, announced his decision to attend Florida State over Ohio State and North Carolina on live television. The ratings have only skyrocketed.
The recruiting process is more popular than ever, thanks in large part to technology — particularly the Internet.
On Wednesday, ESPN will air 11 hours of coverage, highlighted by 15 televised announcements from high-profile recruits. Social media will also keep fans informed, connected and active.
Maddox, a Leon County Commissioner, can only smile.
He did not have an email address 16 years ago, only boxes and boxes and boxes of college recruiting letters tucked away in his bedroom.
He communicated with college coaches and fellow recruits by the home telephone on his kitchen counter.
Like the time New Jersey quarterback Chris Simms, the USA Today National Offensive Player of the Year, called and tried to sway Maddox to join him at the University of Texas.
While recruiting trips for players may have also changed over the years, Maddox believes one quality remains intact during the journey — trust. And possibly fate.
When Maddox departed Tallahassee after his official visit at FSU for the drive home to North Carolina, his car sputtered and stopped in Thomasville, Georgia.
The hometown gentleman who helped Maddox was none other than the father of former FSU quarterback Charlie Ward.
"The thing that impressed me the most was he didn't try to talk me into going to FSU," Maddox said. "He told me to make the decision that was best for me."
Maddox selected the Seminoles over Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Notre Dame.
Aloha!
"Regardless of the emails, letters, text messages, all that stuff and hoopla that goes on now, if you don't feel comfortable in the environment, you are not going to go there," Maddox said.
