Freshman Commits to North Carolina for Lacrosse, Recruiting Hypocrisy? (Video)

Freshman Commits to North Carolina for Lacrosse, Recruiting Hypocrisy? (Video)

Yes, a freshman just committed to UNC. It’s not their first foray of securing early verbals and we, personally, don’t have a problem with early recruiting. However, this is the first instance of early recruiting gone awry. We’ve looked over young Ara Atayan’s highlight videos, both lacrosse and football, and the 9th grader feeds into early recruiting critics. We know that coaches base and compare a kid’s performance with others in his age group, but, frankly, Atayan and his peers are munchkins.

After watching his football tape (below), one will soon begin to understand UNC’s reasoning for receiving a verbal commitment. Judging by Atayan’s lacrosse tape from this Summer, he’s a hard-nosed middie with a knack for clearing the ball and finding the open man after drawing an initial slide.

We’re not knocking Atayan’s skills at all. We just think UNC may have jumped the gun on a player who hasn’t matured with size. He’s not exactly Forry Smith (6’2″, 175 pounds), who committed to Hopkins last Fall as a freshman.

Leave your opinions below.

Posted in

Lacrosse Playground

In 2009, Adam O’Neill, Harry Alford and Thomas Alford launched Lacrosse Playground as the preeminent site for lacrosse gearheads. For years Lacrosse Playground provided lacrosse fans with tutorials and tips on how to string a lacrosse head, up-close looks at the gear the top players used and sneak peeks at equipment and uniforms before they were released. More than 10 years and millions of visits later, Lacrosse Playground has relaunched with a focus on storytelling. Our mission is to provide comprehensive coverage of the latest lacrosse news, share insights into the sports betting and fantasy lacrosse world and showcase the lifestyles and personalities of the sport of lacrosse through articles, videos and podcasts.

12 Comments

  1. Gavin on October 1, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    I understand his stick might not of been working for him that day but still if you want to play for UNC you have to pass and shoot well constantly. I only know this because my best friend plays for UNC and from how the kid in the video plays he DOES NOT fit in their offense. Also he was playing all freshmen, If he was playing kids older than him he wouldn’t be going to UNC or any where else. That’s just the true story but if he has committed then congrats. Like people have said haters gonna hate

  2. mc on October 1, 2013 at 12:17 am

    I’m failing to see the hypocrisy part? haters gonna hate.

  3. mc on October 1, 2013 at 12:17 am

    I’m failing to see the hypocrisy part? haters gonna hate.

  4. Mike on September 30, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    The recent B1G bias on this website is laughable. UNC obviously finds this kid as a fit for their program. There’s no need to criticize an institution for offering a kid a scholarship. I saw no complaints on this website when Hopkins offered a freshman, could it be because he is going to a B1G school? I am by NO means a UNC fan either. Please lower to B1G bias and respect all conferences.

  5. Mike on September 30, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    The recent B1G bias on this website is laughable. UNC obviously finds this kid as a fit for their program. There’s no need to criticize an institution for offering a kid a scholarship. I saw no complaints on this website when Hopkins offered a freshman, could it be because he is going to a B1G school? I am by NO means a UNC fan either. Please lower to B1G bias and respect all conferences.

  6. rage on September 30, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    everyone one of his passes were low or hit the ground first…

  7. rage on September 30, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    everyone one of his passes were low or hit the ground first…

  8. rage on September 30, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    everyone one of his passes were low or hit the ground first…

  9. rage on September 30, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    everyone one of his passes were low or hit the ground first…

  10. rage on September 30, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    everyone one of his passes were low or hit the ground first…

    • Tiltz on September 30, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      He’s just got tons of whip. Not neccesarily a detriment. The spin dodge and shot was pretty sick but the d guy overcommitted, and alot of solid film on here otherwise. The thing is he’s not even guaranteed to play. Ever. Also verbal commitment does not have any connection to a scholarship and as a matter of fact pure athletic scholarship essentially no longer exist. He still has to get into the school with UNC’s relatively high academic standards, and may sit the bench four years. Good luck to Ara Atayan, and this is quite the honor for him.

    • Tiltz on September 30, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      He’s just got tons of whip. Not neccesarily a detriment. The spin dodge and shot was pretty sick but the d guy overcommitted, and alot of solid film on here otherwise. The thing is he’s not even guaranteed to play. Ever. Also verbal commitment does not have any connection to a scholarship and as a matter of fact pure athletic scholarship essentially no longer exist. He still has to get into the school with UNC’s relatively high academic standards, and may sit the bench four years. Good luck to Ara Atayan, and this is quite the honor for him.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.