I know that people want to think they know everything about the recruiting process but it probably varies based on the individual and the coaches involved. Here is an article about Wes that makes it pretty clear that he could have received more offers if he had not committed so early.
Eikmeier finds the perfect match
By Brent Wasenius/Managing-Sports Editor
Wes Eikmeier hasn't even attended his junior or senior high school prom, but the Fremont Bergan basketball standout already knows where he will be going to college.
Eikmeier, a 6-3 junior guard, has verbally committed to accept a scholarship offer from Iowa State. Eikmeier, the son of former Bergan basketball coach Randy Eikmeier, also had a scholarship offer from Northern Iowa. Several other schools, including Nebraska, Creighton, Wichita State and Colorado State, were interested.
"I think Iowa State has great fan support and I really enjoy their coaching staff; they are all great guys," Eikmeier said. "I like the campus setting and I've already got to play with some of the players there. Overall, I felt very comfortable."
Bergan coach Chris Paulson said some might question why a 16-year-old would make a college choice so early, but it was a pretty clear-cut decision for Eikmeier.
"This wasn't an uniformed decision," Paulson said. "Wes looked at everything and he felt that it was a perfect fit for him. Getting a chance to compete in the Big 12 (Conference) is quite an honor."
Eikmeier was a Fremont Tribune All-Area selection as a sophomore. He averaged 22.6 points and 2.9 assists per game as a young Knights' squad finished the season with a 14-8 record. During the summer, he excelled as a member of the Nebraska Bison White All-Star team that competed in tournaments throughout the United States, including Indianapolis and Kentucky.
Paulson had helped generate early recruiting interest in Eikmeier by sending out highlight DVD's to colleges during the offseason. Several responded and then followed his during the summer competition.
"We got his name out a little more and then he had the opportunity to show (recruiters) what he could do with the Bison," Paulson said.
Iowa State and Northern Iowa were among the early suitors. The Cyclones hired former UNI coach Greg McDermott in March. Both schools n at different times n put Eikmeier through a workout at the Fremont Family YMCA in late July.
"The Iowa State people said it was one of the best workouts they had seen," Paulson said. "They were impressed in terms of how hard he worked and what he did."
The opportunity to be part of McDermott's rebuilding process at Iowa State was not lost on Eikmeier.
"He obviously had success at Northern Iowa," Eikmeier said. "That is a big reason why he got hired at Iowa State. I know after meeting him that I'm confident he'll get that program pointed in the right direction."
Telling the coaches at Northern Iowa that he wouldn't be coming there was one of the most difficult things Eikmeier has had to do in his life.
"It was really, really tough," he said. "I had formed good relationships with the people at Northern Iowa. It was the first school that really showed a sincere interest in me. It made it even that much harder, but I had a gut feeling I'd be happier at Iowa State."
Creighton was also interested, but Eikmeier said Coach Dana Altman wanted to wait and see how the prospect progressed this season. New Nebraska coach Doc Sadler invited Eikmeier to Lincoln on Saturday and told him about his plans for the program.
"He is a great guy and I'm sure he'll point Nebraska in the right direction," Eikmeier said. "But after he explained his (coaching) philosophy and how his system will work, that helped me decide that Iowa State's system was better for me."
Sadler plans on pressing full court and operate a run and shoot offense. McDermott's is more of a half-court game.
"Nebraska's will be more running whereas Iowa State's has a little more structure and a couple more sets," Eikmeier said.
Eikmeier has the ability to play point guard or the No. 2 guard - something that has caused the prep player to be compared by recruiters to Nate Funk of Creighton or UNI's Ben Jacobson.
"Those guys have had great careers," Eikmeier said. "I’m pretty flattered by it, but it doesn't mean anything because obviously I'm not to that point yet.”
That comment shows that Eikmeier knows he has room to improve. Paulson said it is important that the guard add some muscle to his frame so he can adapt to the college game better.
"I think a lot of schools wanted to wait and see how he developed body-wise in the next two years," Paulson said. "But Iowa State and UNI didn't have any doubts. They knew he would work hard to put on some weight."
Having the decision out of the way will make it easier for Eikmeier to enjoy his final two seasons with the Knights.
"I really didn't want that cloud over my head of wondering which coach was in the stands and who I had to play well for ," he said. "Now I know where I'm going and I can just put my goals in front of me."
Paulson thinks the Cyclones got themselves an outstanding recruit in many ways.
"Wes is also a great young man and student," he said. "It's just exciting that we'll have him here for two more years."
