Rod and Ellen might be recruited (8)
I believe the answer is:
enrolled
'recruited' is the definition.
('enrol' can be a synonym of 'recruit')
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for enrolled that I've seen before include "Joined up, signed on" , "Officially registered" , "being on board submarine?" , "Entered in the register" , "Registered as a member" .)