If you're into recruiting, or you just like behind-the-scenes stuff, the Sports Illustrated website has a story about a California high school quarterback, Tate Forcier, who has posted on a website copies of the letters he has received from colleges offering scholarships.

  One of the letters, as you might have guessed, is from UW coach Bret Bielema. He gets a special mention in the story for a brief personal hand-written message at the end.

  The letters provide small insights into how the different programs approach recruiting. Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh wins the hyperbole award, saying in his letter, "As both the top academic institution in the world, and the home of the top collegiate athletic program in the world..."

The story also notes, "Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy writes the same way he talks -- with ALL CAPITAL LETTERS."

 Bielema's letter is pretty straightforward, hitting on the program's accomplishments since winning its first Rose Bowl title following the 1993 season.

 UW fans also might note, Bielema asks Forcier to join the program, to help take it "to another level."

  When Bielema was hired two years ago, there was much talk about wheter he could take the program to another level, after the success achieved under Barry Alvarez. Whether or not fans believe Bielema is headed in that direction, after two seasons, this makes it clear, that's his goal.

  This is the first time I've posted a link in my blog. Hopefully, it works out:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/andy_staples/04/15/forcier.0415/index.html