Ok, so I was working the phones til after midnight last night with some sources directly involved in Hunter’s recruitment. And I'll start with this. Much of what you are hearing, including from the few who say they are the only ones in the know, is BS.
So first let’s address a few things about the school he visited last. There were rumors going around that some Nova alum gave Neptune a blank check to go get Hunter (1.6 million was the number floating around). I was told by someone with direct knowledge of the recruitment that is 100% false. In fact, they wouldn't even confirm they put together a seven-figure NIL package at all. I do believe his relationship with Justin Moore is playing a very big factor in all of this, just like his relationships with Jones and Young. Nova, like Maryland, feels like they tick all of the boxes for Hunter in that they are somewhat close to home, have a friend of his already on the team, they feel they have a Final Four caliber roster with him, they put guys in the league and have competitive NIL.
As for Kansas, again, can't confirm the 2 million NIL number and based on some convos, I tend to believe that number is probably on the high side. I can say that Kansas felt pretty confident following their visit last week, but it doesn't feel like they are as confident now.
There were all kinds of rumors floating around about Kentucky yesterday, including that he had already given them a silent verbal. This is, of course, complete BS, made up by fan boys I'm sure. Honestly, feels like much of the Kentucky talk is just made up rumor, even the stuff coming from the plugged in folks. From the outside looking in, it is just hard to picture him picking Kentucky with Tshiebwe's status still up in the air. But stranger things have happened, I guess.
As for Maryland, I think there has always been a quiet confidence that they can get this done. As I've mentioned already, if it were up to his mom, this recruitment would probably already be over and he'd be a Terp. Her preference is that he play close to home. But Hunter is making his own decision and his top two factors are competing for a title and maximizing NIL at the same time. Now, given Maryland's roster makeup and what I've heard about their NIL, they are as competitive as anyone and right there with the others. And again, they also present some familiar faces in Mike Jones and Jahmir Young.
As to the rumor it is happening today, I talked to a couple of sources late last night directly involved in this recruitment who both said they had not been given an exact day or time as to when he will announce. Both did seem to expect a decision before the end of the week, however. Just not sure it would be today. The rumor for it being today seems to stem from the fact that I believe he has a new podcast episode dropping a little later today. As for the talk that he already told one of the staffs he's coming, again, that stuff is extremely hard to keep under wraps and I've heard nothing from plugged in sources that any of the staffs already knows the decision.
So to summarize, the NIL numbers floating around seem to be high based on a source with direct knowledge and schools had yet to be informed of his decision as of about midnight last night. They are also all still in the dark about exactly when the decision will be announced (although that could have changed this AM).
Would I be surprised if he announced during his podcast today? Not at all. I'm preparing for it. He has dropped info about his recruitment on every pod since entering the portal. But again, he hasn't informed any of the staffs that is the case as of late last night.
If I had to handicap this race this morning, I'd probably have it like this: 30% Maryland, 30% Kansas, 30% Villanova, 9% Kentucky and whatever decimal point is left to the Hoyas. With Hunter and his camp pretty much going dark, it is just impossible to know which way he's leaning.
Any questions, feel free to shoot away....
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