Recruiting Tips for Parents Just Starting the Process

The discussion was around the women’s soccer program, so he only specifically spoke about the new rule as it relates to women’s soccer. He didn’t mention if it affected other sports, but I doubt it. If so, it would’ve already been a prominent story on ESPN already, as it would have a major effect on the income generating sports.

 

so if a player is younger than junior year and having conversations with coaches they will need to get an agreement prior to April 30th or have to wait till Sept of Junior year to confirm anything? Seem like coaches can still work around this just like they worked around recruiting 8th and 9th graders now.

 

This is a great rule change and I really hope it's true. Yes, it will make the junior year more recruiting-hectic, but no child should be put in the position of "committing" to a college in 8th - 10th grades. Too young, too many physical changes not yet developed, too much athletic-maturity still to happen. Colleges will be able to make a much more informed offer, and players will be closer to the player they might be than they would 2-3 years earlier.

 

If I had to pick a time, I would say the beginning of summer before Junior year is the optimal time. That way, if there is any uncertainty or they don't get the offer they were expecting, the summer provides players with the opportunity to go to college camps and visit the college before the coaches get really busy with their season.

 

So, if true, wouldn't this make it pointless for U14-U16 to travel out of state to DA or ECNL College Showcases, or to participate in Events like Surf and Silverlakes since scouting and recruiting would not be allowed anyway? That'd be interesting.

 

The coaches can still come to watch and build up their lists of prospects. There are also third-party operators like Top Drawer Soccer who would be busy.

 

Schools can and will still be scouting and evaluating younger players, even with the new rules. And to a limited extent, schools can still communicate with the younger recruits. Schools cannot have face to face contact with the younger players or initiate contact with them, but players are allowed to initiate contact with coaches via e-mail and even phone. Players can contact the coaches to notify them they are interested in their school/soccer program, let them know what showcase they will be playing in, which club team they play for, their showcase game schedule and if the school is interested they will come watch the player play.

 

But what exactly would be the point of scouting U14-15s under this scenario? Why would the coaches want to scout kids they can't get to commit or even have a recruiting conversation with, even at an ID camp, for like 4 years? They won't even have the time. I'd guess they will need to be scrambling around to watch and finally meet face to face with all the juniors they can finally talk to and commit.
And why would a U14-15 want to spend the time and incur the expense to travel across the country for a showcase, and ask a coach to come watch, when they can't have a face to face and discuss the crucial issue of $$$$ for several years?

I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad thing. Just rather pointless to attend showcases for those age groups (U14-15) under the new rules. In fact the idea of these showcases beginning later is growing on me as I write this...

 

From my experience, especially on the higher end of the talent pool, this will not slow down the schools from scouting players at ODP events, league games and showcases. My player currently attends the school that was number one on her list when she was 8 years old. Some kids have a pretty good idea of what they want and/or have family connections that will override any "rules" that the NCAA comes up with. As of right now a player can't officially accept a scholarship offer until they sign their name on their LOI (and the school can't talk about the recruit or confirm anything until then FYI).

I just don't see what these changes are going to accomplish other than to make things more hectic for the middle to lower end of the D1 talent pool. The top talent is still going to have their decisions locked in well before their junior year and even though it won't be "official" (sort of like now) it will be widely known. The middle of the pack players that might have gotten locked in now are going to have to scramble even more and the lower end players (of the high end players by the way) aren't going to have any idea what is available until winter of their junior year! I just am not sure how well thought out this was. Personally I think that a coaches committee could come up with a better plan than any plan crafted by administrators.

 

So what should the Freshman kid do that is considering options right now? Should they commit by the end of the month to ensure they get maximum $$ or does this give them time to hold out? That part is really unclear... Will there be money left for them their Junior year?

 

Not sure other than have a very direct conversation with the coaches for the schools that she is interested in.

 

https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-player-profile/georgia-leb/pid-114289

Texas schools continuing to commit 8th graders. It won't make a difference. The PAC 12 is set to dominate for the next decade.

 

They are not alone. I'm sure it will be a mad dash for the rest of the month. Agree on your comment about having that very direct conversation with the coaches. Wish there was a much more sensible approach to all of this.

 

The NCAA recruiting rule changes are now official. The new rules apply to all sports except football and basketball.

https://www.ncaa.org/about/resource...ision-i-council-adopts-recruiting-legislation

 

I just read this and it looks like contact via telephone, text and off campus contact are all still legal. Looks like everything continues as is except official & unofficial visits. Am I reading that correctly?

 

when do the new regulations go into effect? i read the article, but what constitutes the next school year? August, September, July?

 

Yes. I was told that the Sept 1st visit requirement goes live at the end of this month. Changes regarding verbal commitments have been tabled for the time being. Very minor change...players/family can still visit the campus unofficially, but conversations/meetings with soccer staff are prohibited.

 

Meeting at the camps or on campus are prohibited, but doesn't everything else still work the same? Seems like nothing much has changed. Players can still reach out to coach via email or calls. Am I missing something?

 

Per a soccer parent text chain I am in:
rule takes effect next Wednesday (april 25th).
Practically it means you can do an unofficial visit to a campus but cannot meet/talk to the coaches. So if you are on vacation and want to check out a campus you can, but can't go see the coaches.
You can call coaches like always and they can offer you/you can commit
You can go to camps anytime but coaches can't specifically talk recruiting to your kid (unless they are a junior)

That's the 411 we got from a parent who was communicating with a college coach about it.

We will see. I think the top kids will still be sought after early in high school and will still commit to lock in that money. I know the intent is to slow the process down but it's not very well thought out. Why allow kids to still call coaches but not allow on campus communication? If the rule specified NO CONTACT at all then that would make sense, or even NO FINANCIAL OFFERS before sept 1, then that makes sense...but there's so much wiggle room here.

The coaches that cheat now (cough cough JS) will still cheat.
Club coaches will now be brokers for kids passing messages such as "USC has a full ride for your DD when she's ready to commit" which sucks.
Maybe it will be magical and slow things down but who knows.
Coaches will need to be ready Sept 1 to contact who they want to bring on campus.
Trying to think through other results of this.

I know kids are rushing to get in visits this next week. And most top schools are done through this year's sophomores and even a lot of freshman so they might have some free time on their hands!

 

You are correct. Player initiated contact is still permitted. College coaches will still talk with club coaches as well.