Recruiting - Seriously?

Post date: Feb 2, 2015 7:36:25 AM

There are a lot of different things that happen during a recruit’s high school careers that signal their level of recruitment with specific colleges; however, athletes and parents have a hard time distinguishing what the level of recruiting interest there actually is. Less than 2% of high school athletes will receive an athletic scholarship (per the NCAA reports), so it is very important for athletes to know what their recruitment level is. Here is a look at the different recruitment levels for each high school grade level, and the division level that a recruit will likely play at.

1. Not Getting Recruited – Athletes are not on the recruiting radar yet; they haven’t reached out to coaches, or simply don’t have the talent to play college sports.
   1. Freshman: No letters or recruiting materials from any colleges.
   2. Sophomores: Very few letters and camp invites from colleges.
   3. Juniors: A few recruiting questionnaires. Invites to a few camps. No response from coaches on any outgoing emails.
   4. Seniors: Unofficial invites only. Very few emails/texts/calls from college coaches.
   5. Typically players who are not receiving recruiting attention wind up walking-on, Division Three, JUCO, or not playing at the collegiate level at all.
2. Somewhat Getting recruited – Athletes are getting interest but still need to do more to get seen.
   1. Freshman: A few letters from college coaches (typically mass mailing letters). A few camp invites.
   2. Sophomores: A good amount of letters from college coaches. Multiple camp invite offers. Invites to specific combines or elite showcase events.
   3. Juniors: Some handwritten letters from college coaches. Emails/texts/phone calls from a few college coaches. Invited to a college’s Junior Day. Invite to combine/showcase events. Maybe an evaluation or article by a recruiting company.
   4. Seniors: Continued conversations with at least 15-20 college coaches. Multiple unofficial visit invites. 3-7 official visit invites. Possibly a few scholarship offers. Invitations to walk-on.
   5. Typically recruits that get somewhat recruited end up at JUCO, NAIA, Division Three, and possibly Division Two.
3. Actively Getting Recruited – These athletes are on the radar and have college level talent.
   1. Freshman: A steady amount of letters from college coaches. Recruiting questionnaires, camp invites, and admission information in the mail. Some coaches will attend high school or club team games to show their interest.
   2. Sophomores: Lots of letters, questionnaires, and camp invites. A few schools could make a scholarship offer. College coaches will be evaluating these athletes during the permitted time frames.
   3. Juniors: Handwritten letters from coaches. Phone calls and texts start once the recruiting calendar allows. Numerous invites for unofficial visits. 1-3+ scholarship offers.
   4. Seniors: Phone calls/texts/social media contact from college coaches on a regular basis. Official visit offers. 3-10+ scholarship offers. In-home visits from college coaches.
   5. Typically recruits that get actively recruited end up at mid-major to high major schools or division two.
4. Heavily Getting Recruited – These athletes are near the top of a coach’s recruiting board.
   1. Freshman: Tons of recruiting information and letters from college coaches. A few schools will make scholarship offers.
   2. Sophomores: Evaluations during high school and summer games. 3+ scholarship offers. Tons of unofficial visit offers.
   3. Juniors: 5-10+ scholarship offers. Lots of coaches calling for verbal commitments. Tons of unofficial visit offers. Recruiting tactics/strategies from college coaches that normal recruits don’t get. As many evaluations as coaches are allowed.
   4. Seniors: 10+ scholarship offers. Signing a National Letter of Intent during the early signing period. Asked to enroll early to schools to be ready for spring practice.
   5. Typically recruits that receive heavy recruiting interest go to Division One schools.

from RECRUITLOOK, Look for more recruiting information in future news!