[August 26, 2011] 2011 Preview: Modesto Christian's Sudfeld uses arm, Internet to land scholarship Tweet Aug 26, 2011 (The Modesto Bee - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Nate Sudfeld arrived in Tucson, Ariz., as a prospect, hoping his size and potential would produce a scholarship offer from the University of Arizona. By the time the 6-foot-5 Modesto Christian High quarterback was heading back home, he had a full-ride offer in hand -- and he had become an Internet sensation. "It was an amazing trip, especially coming home," said Ralph Sudfeld, Nate's father. "We just started our trip back and the phone started ringing -- and it just kept ringing." In the age of social networking, players, coaches and recruiting services are capitalizing on Facebook, Twitter and other online tools to spread their message. Nate Sudfeld was a sleeper before his post-commitment frenzy. ESPN now ranks him No. 14 among the nation's elite senior quarterbacks. "First it was The Bee wanting to talk, then a Tucson paper, an online site that covers Arizona sports and finally a recruiting service," said Ralph Sudfeld, astonished that word of his son's decision spread so fast. "The information gets out there and goes like wildfire." The same with Patterson defensive end Pio Vatuvei, who became an Internet darling after committing to USC this summer. His decision hit cyberspace in moments, and it wasn't long before he had become a coast-to-coast name. "It was on Facebook and the Twitters started," said Vatuvei, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound Tongan. "It was kind of cool to see it happen that way, because I had used some of those things to get the colleges' attention." It's a lesson that has caught on quickly with underclassmen, including junior quarterbacks Chase Gonzalez of Turlock Christian and Spencer Thomas of Oakdale. The 6-6 Gonzalez is a pocket passer, while the 6-foot Thomas operates out of the Wing-T. Each has their own caveat. Gonzalez is raw, has to become a warrior in the weight room and is playing in one of the state's smallest classifications -- so he's not throwing against elite defensive backs. Thomas threw six passes a game last fall, compiling 856 yards and 11 TDs in 14 games. The Wing-T gives him few opportunities to display his footwork in the pocket, so he has to show colleges on his own. "Reaching out to colleges is my chance to show I can drop back and throw, or that I can throw on the move," said Thomas, whose Mustangs play in the medium-school division. "If they have any questions, I want to answer those by letting them see what I can do." Facebook is the poster child of social networking, making it possible for athletes, coaches and recruiters to be in constant contact with each other. In its infancy, social networking was a convenient method for college coaches to "virtually" babysit prized recruits with constant assurances. Athletes are now taking the initiative, inviting coaches to be Facebook friends, linking recruiters on their Twitter account and using the Internet to distribute highlight films. "If you're waiting for coaches to come to you, you're not playing the game," said Nate Sudfeld, who will lead Modesto Christian in tonight's opener against Tokay. "You need to push your name, your video, your strengths. Make it easy for the coach to recruit you." Buhach Colony's Aziz Shittu parlayed his Internet presentation into a scholarship offer from Stanford. BC coach Kevin Swartwood goes as far to call him "Mr. Facebook." The NCAA allows coaches to "friend" recruits, but they can't post on their wall. Coaches can use the private message feature, but not prior to Sept. 1 of a student-athlete's junior year. Sudfeld and his family produced a blueprint that can be used by others. It was necessary because Nate played behind Bee Player of the Year Isaiah Burse in 2009 and then sat out much of his junior season with a shoulder injury. His highlights came primarily from one game -- 20 of 39 for 384 yards with a TD and an interception in a Week 11 loss to eventual state champ Escalon -- but he spliced in footage from sessions with quarterback guru Roger Theder. "Let them see you throwing the ball, running the ball, lifting weights ... and then keep in touch after you send in the film," said Sudfeld, who got a surprise visit from Arizona's quarterback coach last May. "They enjoyed what they saw me do on the film, and it convinced them to follow up. He came to the school because he wanted to be sure I was 6-5." That shows there are still some questions the Internet can't answer, but very few. That's one reason Argonaut tight end Austin Hoyt attended a Nike combine. "I went so I could get my height, weight and times verified. Based on my times, I began to receive more recruiting interest," said Hoyt, whose reward was an offer he accepted from BYU. "I recommend attending at least one day at a camp of schools you are interested in. Coaches want to see you in person and work you out, which they can do when you are at one of their camps." ___ (c)2011 The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) Visit The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) at www.modbee.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]