Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college football program.

The formula has never changed; sign the best players, build the best team and win.

And in 2008 it was no different. That class, now seniors in college, included 30 five-star recruits and a few hundred four-star recruits. They represented the best in the country, and they all had one thing in common.

None signed with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Our nation’s quickest, strongest and best football talent went to 100s of different schools, but not a single one chose to go to Iowa City.

And Kirk Ferentz couldn’t care less.

He simply assembled a recruiting class that included 13-three star players and 11 with no rating at all and built another New Year’s Bowl team.

How does Kirk manage the football equivalent of the “Island of Misfit Toys” and still compete for Big Ten titles?

Ferentz knows how to put players in a position to win. He doesn’t adapt his program to his personnel; he adapts his personnel to the program. Team over individual.

Players will always bring flaws, but if everyone plays their role, and puts the team first– they can accomplish wonderful things anyway.

God works the same way. As a recruiter, he’s more Ferentz than Nick Saban. Consider his track record…

Noah was a drunk.
Rahab was a prostitute.
David was a runt, adulterer and a murder.

And yet each played a pivotal part in building the nation of Israel and hold a place in the lineage of Christ. Christ who Himself entered the world a Servant; born in a barn, laid in a manger, welcomed by lowly Shepherds. Indeed He started out with only one star.

God has a soft spot for long shots; it’s time to sign your letter of intent

Merry Christmas