Energy. Healthcare. Criminal justice. Education. The federal government.

Even in a wheezing, anemic economy, some industries stand out as being recession-proof.

To which college athletics might add another: football recruiting, at least at the highest levels.

Even as campuses across the nation deal with fewer faculty and curriculum offerings, the money crunch doesn't appear to have made much of a dent in the way marquee programs are pursuing talent -- especially in fertile South Florida.

''I haven't seen anything like that happen, nor has anyone on our staff in regards to pulling back the reins,'' said Tom Luginbill, national recruiting director for ESPN Scouts Inc.

Ditto for the local front.

''Everything's still the same,'' Miramar High coach Damon Cogdell said.

Numbers bear that out. Of Florida's top 100 prospects as graded by Rivals.com, 44 have pledged to programs beyond the state's borders as National Signing Day approaches. Another 13 are undecided, with out-of-state schools in play for each.

That would put Florida's 2009 signees in the same range as each of the previous four classes, which have sent between 53 and 58 prospects from that list out of state.

Although some prospects might find out-of-state schools as close as any in Florida -- consider Pensacola Escambia running back Trent Richardson's commitment to Alabama -- it doesn't alter the notion that the Sunshine State is too fertile to ignore.

''[Recruiters will] still go across the country to see a great player if that's where the kid wants to go,'' said Bobby Burton, Rivals.com editor in chief.

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, national poll champions after a second consecutive 5A state title, will see at least seven players sign with Division I-FCS programs Wednesday -- all to out-of-state schools.

Five Cypress Bay recruits have accepted offers outside Florida. Miramar's pass-catch duo of Eugene Smith and Stedman Bailey are packaged to West Virginia, with wideout Terrence Gourdine a possible third. Three Columbus High kids are committed out of state.

''Those that give full scholarships are coming down,'' Columbus coach Chris Merritt said. ``The economy really hasn't affected their recruiting. If it's an issue, I don't see it.''

Although athletic departments could be left staring at belt-tightening scenarios, most observers expect recruiting would be one of the last items trimmed -- especially in football.

With TV deals pushing $100 million a year for some of the power leagues, stadiums that squeeze in 80,000 or more fans and about $220 million to divvy up in bowl payouts, football provides the economic engine for many athletic departments.

To produce a noncompetitive team creates a hit on several fronts. That is why recruiting budgets in the upper six figures aren't uncommon.

Tennessee long has prided itself on having the nation's largest recruiting budget, with a reported $1.3 million earmarked last year for football. Though Vols AD Mike Hamilton expects those numbers to dip slightly in 2008-09, it won't be by much as new coach Lane Kiffin and his staff work to rebuild.

''This is going to be a very aggressive staff from a recruiting standpoint,'' Hamilton told the Knoxville News Sentinel. ``I don't know what that number is going to look like in terms of recruiting dollars. I would imagine it would not be appreciably different from our previous staff.''

Even a place such as Southern Methodist, a Conference USA bottom-feeder, has a reported $500,000 budget for recruiting.

''I guess, like everything else, it is getting out of hand,'' Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said.

Burton and Luginbill suggest the economic malaise might not be felt until next year. Recruiting budgets were set last spring, before the economic crises set dominoes falling.

However, current conditions are likely to have more of an impact as one goes down football's food chain.

''Teams from all those categories can be affected differently,'' Luginbill said. ``Some may only have a certain area they're allowed to be involved in.''

Some evidence of that already exists. In the Mid-American Conference, for instance, 12 of 13 member schools have fewer commitments from prospects outside their own or adjoining states than in 2008.

The biggest difference could come at the lower levels. Schools in Divisions II and III face tighter restraints, and players might have to consider what a partial scholarship or nonathletic grant doesn't cover.

Small-school recruiting doesn't really kick in until after National Signing Day, as coaches learn which prospects remain available. Recruiting fairs will be held late next month in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

With no Division II or III football in Florida, though, it brings potential hardship.

''It hurts their pocket because there's nowhere here they can go,'' Killian coach Steve Smith said.

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