Recruiting Tips for Parents Just Starting the Process

[dk_b]

So true about evaluating the school and what a huge part of the the decision the sport/team/program culture is. One thing I didn't understand is how little of the college life a player gets to experience outside their team. I mean, they're still college students and yes, they will go to parties and events, etc. (NOT during season in her program) but it's almost always with teammates or sometimes other athletes from other sports. In my kid's 2.5 years at school, I don't think she has a solid lasting friendship that she's made outside of soccer or one of the other sports. And that's not because she's shy or stuck up or bent on only hanging with athletes. It's because they all share the same reality and the same physical space for the vast majority of their waking day. And the "NARP's" (Non-Athletic Regular People) as the players call them, often don't understand why she can't join in and do all the stuff they get to do, so it makes it VERY hard to fit into a social group outside of your team. It can be done, but it takes extra effort on top of the exceptional effort they're already expending to be an athlete.

What you describe is precisely why the concept of “make sure your kid will be happy at the school if soccer goes away” can be so imaginary - they can’t really assess that unless they do a very deep dive into the non-athletic culture of a particular school. And how exactly does that happen? And when? And can they REALLY do it independent of imaging themselves as part of the athletic culture?

It’s also why those of us w/kids in HS class of ‘20 have watched our kids miss out on one of the quintessential college experiences in a way that they can never get back (and how just how impactful that loss is): living in the dorms as freshmen. That would have been the BEST chance for them to meet NARPs but b/c of covid, if they were able to live in the dorms, eating in the cafeteria/chilling in common areas/social events/even kicking back in each other’s dorm rooms were not possible to do. That cohort, more than any other, will have their non-sport college experience impacted more than any other (the year ahead of them got half a freshman year pre-covid; the year behind them had a covid impact but much less than the HS ‘20s). So their college world was reduced even more than under “normal” circumstances.

Worth noting is that while a part of this can be applicable to nearly any level of collegiate sports, there can be differences across programs and across levels - top tier programs v mid pack v lower tier, D1 v D2 v D3 v NAIA, etc. Finding the right fit for how your kid is wired - and wired as a 16- or 17-year old v projecting how your kid will be wired as a 19- or 22-year old - is a supreme challenge. And given that it is THEIR decision, not ours, makes that challenge an impossible one. (I will say this about my kid (speaking for myself, not my wife, not my kid): she committed under the old rules and it was too early (she agrees) BUT I think the program/athletic department/academic environment made sense at the time and STILL make a lot of sense for her. If she were not playing soccer, I could imagine her there. )

 

[crush]

Sage week!

 

[Mystery Train]

What you describe is precisely why the concept of “make sure your kid will be happy at the school if soccer goes away” can be so imaginary - they can’t really assess that unless they do a very deep dive into the non-athletic culture of a particular school. And how exactly does that happen? And when? And can they REALLY do it independent of imaging themselves as part of the athletic culture?

It’s also why those of us w/kids in HS class of ‘20 have watched our kids miss out on one of the quintessential college experiences in a way that they can never get back (and how just how impactful that loss is): living in the dorms as freshmen. That would have been the BEST chance for them to meet NARPs but b/c of covid, if they were able to live in the dorms, eating in the cafeteria/chilling in common areas/social events/even kicking back in each other’s dorm rooms were not possible to do. That cohort, more than any other, will have their non-sport college experience impacted more than any other (the year ahead of them got half a freshman year pre-covid; the year behind them had a covid impact but much less than the HS ‘20s). So their college world was reduced even more than under “normal” circumstances.

Worth noting is that while a part of this can be applicable to nearly any level of collegiate sports, there can be differences across programs and across levels - top tier programs v mid pack v lower tier, D1 v D2 v D3 v NAIA, etc. Finding the right fit for how your kid is wired - and wired as a 16- or 17-year old v projecting how your kid will be wired as a 19- or 22-year old - is a supreme challenge. And given that it is THEIR decision, not ours, makes that challenge an impossible one. (I will say this about my kid (speaking for myself, not my wife, not my kid): she committed under the old rules and it was too early (she agrees) BUT I think the program/athletic department/academic environment made sense at the time and STILL make a lot of sense for her. If she were not playing soccer, I could imagine her there. )

100%!!!!!!!!!!

 

[socalkdg]

It’s also why those of us w/kids in HS class of ‘20 have watched our kids miss out on one of the quintessential college experiences in a way that they can never get back (and how just how impactful that loss is): living in the dorms as freshmen. That would have been the BEST chance for them to meet NARPs but b/c of covid, if they were able to live in the dorms, eating in the cafeteria/chilling in common areas/social events/even kicking back in each other’s dorm rooms were not possible to do. That cohort, more than any other, will have their non-sport college experience impacted more than any other (the year ahead of them got half a freshman year pre-covid; the year behind them had a covid impact but much less than the HS ‘20s). So their college world was reduced even more than under “normal” circumstances.

Wasn't just athletes. My 2020 kid dropped after a semester of crappy food, living by herself most of the time, and stuck taking classes in her room. All at a crazy large price that she and I were paying. Having a sport might have let her meet others with the same love.

 

[Code]

Thank you to everyone posting about thier thoughts and experiences. I really appreciate your insight.

 

[youthsportsuggghhhhgghh]

I am not one to say, "Make sure they love the school first because the sport may disappear" because I'm of the belief that, for many, a huge part of this big time decision is made because of the sport, the team, the athletic department - that is the group you will be spending most of your time around (their teammates but also other athletes) as they integrate into the campus and they may have made a totally different decision but for the sport.

I did like the soap box post!! I however, would say that the school needs to be used at the beginning to make your list of schools (1-20 based solely on the school) you want to make contact with -- then you add the soccer into the mix. They have to work closely because like you say it is a GRIND! If the player is used to being a star and now getting 5 minutes every other game the soccer is going to be tough even if the girls on the team are "nice". Then if they aren't happy in the location of the school it will be that much more difficult!
Then when making the final decision you can make the decision about soccer and will you be happy on the grind in your 10th favorite school because it is your 1st favorite soccer choice or do you want more balance and have your 5/5 school.
Don't get intimidated with the process and don't be afraid to ask all of the questions
I am interested to see how this years 04 group does next year as freshman all over the country!

 

[Dubs]

shso

YES!

I know exactly what you mean when you talk about the old teams and those elite players. I've watched many of the same ones and followed what happened after college started.

So true about evaluating the school and what a huge part of the the decision the sport/team/program culture is. One thing I didn't understand is how little of the college life a player gets to experience outside their team. I mean, they're still college students and yes, they will go to parties and events, etc. (NOT during season in her program) but it's almost always with teammates or sometimes other athletes from other sports. In my kid's 2.5 years at school, I don't think she has a solid lasting friendship that she's made outside of soccer or one of the other sports. And that's not because she's shy or stuck up or bent on only hanging with athletes. It's because they all share the same reality and the same physical space for the vast majority of their waking day. And the "NARP's" (Non-Athletic Regular People) as the players call them, often don't understand why she can't join in and do all the stuff they get to do, so it makes it VERY hard to fit into a social group outside of your team. It can be done, but it takes extra effort on top of the exceptional effort they're already expending to be an athlete. So just imagine how shitty your child's school experience would be if things on the team, between teammates, between coaches, between your roommates get tense! AND THEY 100% WILL GET TENSE, GUARANTEED. It's impossible for it not to. Mix in the probability that a kid is away from home for the first time and simultaneously doing the hardest physical work they've ever done in their life and honestly, it's no wonder so many leave the sport!

As I'm typing this, I'm seriously wondering why anyone would choose this path to begin with if they knew what it was really like. I'm trying to stop using the word "quit" when I talk about my DD's former club teammates or her current college teammates when they decide it's the end of soccer for themselves. I've gained a lot of respect for many of the kids that ended up coming to that conclusion because I understand now that they were able to accurately predict what was in their best interests going forward and are benefitting greatly from that choice now. That takes guts, too. Especially when so many people around you (especially parents) have made this such a big deal for your whole life.

Your closing quote puts it best:
"I'd predict that, on balance, the take away is positive but I'd suspect it is non-linear, full of highs and lows, and they are both sad when it ends but also grateful their kids have come through it OK."

Again, spot on. Parents reading this thread, do not dismiss anything said. This is the most real assessement of the reality of D1 women's soccer. Let it marinate, as it will help you deal with your DDs situation (whether they play or not) in their first year.

 

[SD_Soccer]

I'm sure even if the NCAA has the resources to do the data mining and publishing they would have ZERO interest in sharing it to the public as it would be a very bad look. From purely anecdotal data collected from the small network of club/college soccer connections my DD and I have, for every 1 example of a kid who played decent minutes in their first two years, there are a more than a dozen that played 0, transferred, got injured/ACL, or quit soccer altogether. What's wild too, is that within that band of kids we know who went on to college soccer, how each of them did relative to each other in their youth soccer careers didn't translate to college in the least. The biggest stud on her team who got the most impressive scholarship/school situation played sparingly as a freshman, scored one goal, and quit. One of the kids who only played 50% of the time in club really blossomed and ended up starting for their team deep into the D1 playoffs because the player ahead of her on the depth chart got injured. Half of the kids we know that were signed to play soccer in college never saw the field and either quit or transferred. And I think the story of the recent college athlete suicides proves that getting scholarships, playing time, winning championships, and getting accolades doesn't make it all worth it. College sports and soccer in particular is brutal, unpredictable, and much less glorious than any of the parents I know imagined when they embarked on the recruitment process, myself included. Many of the seniors on her college team, even the ones who started and play huge minutes end up leaving before eligibility is up just because it's such a grind and they want to enjoy life for a bit before going out into the world. I never understood that logic until watching it all up close. My DD's situation is fortunate by comparison to most of her former teammates, but we understand fully how brief and fleeting all of it is, and most importantly, how "out of our hands" so much of this experience can be. My advice to parents starting the process has changed over the years and now I tell parents of young kids "I don't recommend pursuing college soccer, but if your kid won't take no for an answer, you have to get your kid to not focus on the scholarship, the accolades, the playing time, the results, or even the personal goals: focusing only on self-improvement and learning from whatever happens. It is the only way to survive it with some sense of success.

My daughter plays at a D3. Entering her senior year of college. Most players she knows who stretched into a D1 school (either D1 in general or tried to get to that elite D1 program they were probably not really good enough to get on the pitch for that program) quit or never saw the field and/or transferred. While she has started all 3 years at a winning D3 program and continues to enjoy the game. All college athletes put in a ton of time and make a lot of sacrifices, and when they see they will not likely be able to get playing time, that is hard to keep putting in all the effort. I believe parents do their kids a huge disservice when they let their egos help drive their kids’ decisions (e.g., I want to be able to say my daughter plays in the Pac12).

We know we influence them, and they generally trust us. My advice to any parent and athlete, maybe take the program offer that you know you are good enough to get playing time at a school she likes. If you and/or your child cannot be objective about ability to get on the field, find someone you trust to tell you truth (Club coach, another parent who has been through the process, etc). Ask questions and encourage them to give you answers you may not want to hear (e.g., “your child is really good, but they may not ever play for a Pac12 school, but they will be able to play in Big West.). Some of this also comes from the schools recruiting your player. If most conversations are with Big West schools, and only one Pac12 shows interest in her, it may be a stretch. Most college players will not make a living from soccer, so why not help them find a university they like and a team they will get the chance to play the game they love. Most of the players leaving I lay the blame on the parents‘ poor advice.

 

[Soccer43]

One other factor to keep in mind is there can be a coach change before your player arrives for her freshman year. If you commit June after Sophomore year then you have two more years before you arrive for college. I think there were over 30 coaching changes this year, maybe more. Everything is great with the school, the scholarship offer and the team and then everything can tune upside down if the school changes the coach. It is a twist to keep in mind and be prepared for how you want to handle that should it happen

 

[dk_b]

One other factor to keep in mind is there can be a coach change before your player arrives for her freshman year. If you commit June after Sophomore year then you have two more years before you arrive for college. I think there were over 30 coaching changes this year, maybe more. Everything is great with the school, the scholarship offer and the team and then everything can tune upside down if the school changes the coach. It is a twist to keep in mind and be prepared for how you want to handle that should it happen

The coach that recruited my daughter was out 5 days before NLI signing day (we were on our way to AZ for an ECNL showcase, got a heads up on the way to the airport and the news was public by the time we touched down). She did sign and they did not hire the replacement for a bit (maybe 6 weeks, I can’t remember). That can happen, as we experienced - and for a position like GK, it is really common for GK coaches to turn over so if your kid is an early commit, very good chance that the keeper coach will be different by the time she or he arrives

 

[Soccer43]

Yes

My daughter plays at a D3. Entering her senior year of college. Most players she knows who stretched into a D1 school (either D1 in general or tried to get to that elite D1 program they were probably not really good enough to get on the pitch for that program) quit or never saw the field and/or transferred. While she has started all 3 years at a winning D3 program and continues to enjoy the game. All college athletes put in a ton of time and make a lot of sacrifices, and when they see they will not likely be able to get playing time, that is hard to keep putting in all the effort. I believe parents do their kids a huge disservice when they let their egos help drive their kids’ decisions (e.g., I want to be able to say my daughter plays in the Pac12).

We know we influence them, and they generally trust us. My advice to any parent and athlete, maybe take the program offer that you know you are good enough to get playing time at a school she likes. If you and/or your child cannot be objective about ability to get on the field, find someone you trust to tell you truth (Club coach, another parent who has been through the process, etc). Ask questions and encourage them to give you answers you may not want to hear (e.g., “your child is really good, but they may not ever play for a Pac12 school, but they will be able to play in Big West.). Some of this also comes from the schools recruiting your player. If most conversations are with Big West schools, and only one Pac12 shows interest in her, it may be a stretch. Most college players will not make a living from soccer, so why not help them find a university they like and a team they will get the chance to play the game they love. Most of the players leaving I lay the blame on the parents‘ poor advice.

yes, I am a fan of D3 schools as well. I would much prefer my DD play on a good d3 school, play for conference championships and having time and flexibility to live a full life than having the D1 grind on a low level, crappy school that never a wins any games or competing for anything post season and many of those sacrificing academic quality along the way

 

[Soccer43]

The coach that recruited my daughter was out 5 days before NLI signing day (we were on our way to AZ for an ECNL showcase, got a heads up on the way to the airport and the news was public by the time we touched down). She did sign and they did not hire the replacement for a bit (maybe 6 weeks, I can’t remember). That can happen, as we experienced - and for a position like GK, it is really common for GK coaches to turn over so if your kid is an early commit, very good chance that the keeper coach will be different by the time she or he arrives

Yes, and what you commited to going into you Junior year in HS looks nothing like what you get when you arrive. A coach change like that can change style of play, recruiting, starters, scholarship offers etc- what you were told ends up not happening and you may have to make big decisions. There is no protection for the player so it is helpful to have backup plans if the coach change becomes a problem and to just be aware that the verbal commitment isn’t magical to secure your experience for when it comes down to arriving on campus.

 

[Mystery Train]

My daughter plays at a D3. Entering her senior year of college. Most players she knows who stretched into a D1 school (either D1 in general or tried to get to that elite D1 program they were probably not really good enough to get on the pitch for that program) quit or never saw the field and/or transferred. While she has started all 3 years at a winning D3 program and continues to enjoy the game. All college athletes put in a ton of time and make a lot of sacrifices, and when they see they will not likely be able to get playing time, that is hard to keep putting in all the effort. I believe parents do their kids a huge disservice when they let their egos help drive their kids’ decisions (e.g., I want to be able to say my daughter plays in the Pac12).

We know we influence them, and they generally trust us. My advice to any parent and athlete, maybe take the program offer that you know you are good enough to get playing time at a school she likes. If you and/or your child cannot be objective about ability to get on the field, find someone you trust to tell you truth (Club coach, another parent who has been through the process, etc). Ask questions and encourage them to give you answers you may not want to hear (e.g., “your child is really good, but they may not ever play for a Pac12 school, but they will be able to play in Big West.). Some of this also comes from the schools recruiting your player. If most conversations are with Big West schools, and only one Pac12 shows interest in her, it may be a stretch. Most college players will not make a living from soccer, so why not help them find a university they like and a team they will get the chance to play the game they love. Most of the players leaving I lay the blame on the parents‘ poor advice.

Yep. Great point. I would expand that to D2 and NAIA as well. There are far more players CAPABLE of playing D1 than there are D1 starting positions. So that means except for the top 1%, you're at the mercy of so many factors out of your control to see the field. If you're not going pro or playing for a national team, wouldn't you rather go somewhere where your reward for hard work will mean a good chance at playing time in your 4 years?

Here's something that I'm sure your daughter can vouch for: I bet it's a GRIND for her in her D3 program as well. Soccer coaches, no matter the division, ultimately get paid to coach soccer (which means trying to win games) and no institution, no matter if it's a Power 5 D1 or NAIA, is going to leave a coach in place who loses constantly. So that means no matter what level your kid plays, the coach is going to take it seriously because their livelihood depends on it. Which means he/she is going to be demanding and push the players to perform. None of these levels employ these coaches to run an intramural program. None of them give out playing time AYSO style. So they ALL work their player's tails off. The real difference at D1 is player size, athleticism, and depth (and depending on the school facilities). But the grind is pretty much the same. I've seen plenty of players wash out in small schools at D3 and D2 because they thought it would be more laid back. But those coaches get fired just the same way. You're not going to have many 5'10 forwards with track speed in D3 or D2, but guess what? You're still going to run the beep test and puke your guts out to pass the fitness test. You're still going to get benched for breaking team rules or underperforming. During my kid's recruitment, I talked with coaches from all levels and they all said the same thing: no HS kid is prepared for how hard they're going to have to work and the discipline required for it.

 

[dk_b]

Yep. Great point. I would expand that to D2 and NAIA as well. There are far more players CAPABLE of playing D1 than there are D1 starting positions. So that means except for the top 1%, you're at the mercy of so many factors out of your control to see the field. If you're not going pro or playing for a national team, wouldn't you rather go somewhere where your reward for hard work will mean a good chance at playing time in your 4 years?

Here's something that I'm sure your daughter can vouch for: I bet it's a GRIND for her in her D3 program as well. Soccer coaches, no matter the division, ultimately get paid to coach soccer (which means trying to win games) and no institution, no matter if it's a Power 5 D1 or NAIA, is going to leave a coach in place who loses constantly. So that means no matter what level your kid plays, the coach is going to take it seriously because their livelihood depends on it. Which means he/she is going to be demanding and push the players to perform. None of these levels employ these coaches to run an intramural program. None of them give out playing time AYSO style. So they ALL work their player's tails off. The real difference at D1 is player size, athleticism, and depth (and depending on the school facilities). But the grind is pretty much the same. I've seen plenty of players wash out in small schools at D3 and D2 because they thought it would be more laid back. But those coaches get fired just the same way. You're not going to have many 5'10 forwards with track speed in D3 or D2, but guess what? You're still going to run the beep test and puke your guts out to pass the fitness test. You're still going to get benched for breaking team rules or underperforming. During my kid's recruitment, I talked with coaches from all levels and they all said the same thing: no HS kid is prepared for how hard they're going to have to work and the discipline required for it.

I agree with pretty much everything you have written, @Mystery Train. We have friends and family playing at every level on the women's side and we have seen players stop playing, be kicked off, be strongly encouraged to transfer . . . at pretty much every level. And we have seen coaches canned at every level. We have also seen late bloomers and/or players who continue to put in the work and get rewarded by increased playing time as they've shown that they can compete at the right level (it might start with - can you give us 5 mins at the end of a half w/o exposing us too much to can you give us a full half to can you start to can you play 80 or 90 in a meaningful game?). There is a player at one of the best programs in the country, a program that gets replenished with national team players year in and year out, who kept putting in the work and was one of the top in minutes last season as a Junior (#2 on her team, I think) after barely playing in her first two years - in some ways a player like that gives up more than most since she's not getting much $, could easily be "enjoying" a different college experience and, yet, still grinds it out.

 

[rainbow_unicorn]

Does anybody have numbers around college soccer players who actually stay with the sport for four years? Or maybe average freshman recruiting class sizes where you can infer the amount of attrition? Feels like when colleges announce new recruiting classes the numbers are in the 8 to 12 player range.

 

[Mystery Train]

Does anybody have numbers around college soccer players who actually stay with the sport for four years? Or maybe average freshman recruiting class sizes where you can infer the amount of attrition? Feels like when colleges announce new recruiting classes the numbers are in the 8 to 12 player range.

That was part of the question simi asked that got this discussion going. I think 8-12 is on the low side for recruiting classes. My kid's school has had 18 and 16 the past two years. But I don't have any hard data beyond that. It's harder to infer the attrition rate when you try to account for redshirt years, transfers, and walk-ons, but one way I tried to calculate it was by counting the number of 4-5 year seniors on rosters. If you figured that the average recruiting class is say, 12, and there's 6 seniors on the team, you could guess the attrition rate is 50% for that particular class.

Also, that count should be done after the season starts as the summer roster will look huge because it hasn't been updated after cuts are made

 

[crush]

That was part of the question simi asked that got this discussion going. I think 8-12 is on the low side for recruiting classes. My kid's school has had 18 and 16 the past two years. But I don't have any hard data beyond that. It's harder to infer the attrition rate when you try to account for redshirt years, transfers, and walk-ons, but one way I tried to calculate it was by counting the number of 4-5 year seniors on rosters. If you figured that the average recruiting class is say, 12, and there's 6 seniors on the team, you could guess the attrition rate is 50% for that particular class.

Also, that count should be done after the season starts as the summer roster will look huge because it hasn't been updated after cuts are made

I was told 4 years ago only 20% stay and play and finish what they started. I have no idea about today's stats but it did come from one of the most honest Docs I know. He told me this whole soccer is a big biz and the customers want one thing: A deal for dd for school. I can take a random sample of 10 players that I personally know from class of 2021 and now 2022. 3 have quit already. 3 have transferred. 2 are very depressed and want to come home but are afraid that dad will get pissed. 1 is very happy and the other one is looking to transfer because the weather sucks!!

 

[Mystery Train]

I was told 4 years ago only 20% stay and play and finish what they started. I have no idea about today's stats but it did come from one of the most honest Docs I know. He told me this whole soccer is a big biz and the customers want one thing: A deal for dd for school. I can take a random sample of 10 players that I personally know from class of 2021 and now 2022. 3 have quit already. 3 have transferred. 2 are very depressed and want to come home but are afraid that dad will get pissed. 1 is very happy and the other one is looking to transfer because the weather sucks!!

Sounds about right to me.

 

[oh canada]

Good read below. The college soccer grind is REAL. And, I don't think our SoCal clubs do our girls any favors by playing 35+ games and year-round practices for the four years leading into college.

“There’s a bit of repetitiveness of how soccer goes,” Fuller says. “I remember telling my therapist I just felt like I was on this hamster wheel. And then it just resets every year. You just have to do the same thing. You keep having to fight for a spot.” She was burnt out.

Sarah Fuller: Football kicker’s mental health struggle, advocacy - Sports Illustrated

Sarah Fuller, who moonlighted as a kicker for Vanderbilt during the 2020 season, has become an advocate for better mental health resources at colleges.

www.si.com

 

[dk_b]

Good read below. The college soccer grind is REAL. And, I don't think our SoCal clubs do our girls any favors by playing 35+ games and year-round practices for the four years leading into college.

“There’s a bit of repetitiveness of how soccer goes,” Fuller says. “I remember telling my therapist I just felt like I was on this hamster wheel. And then it just resets every year. You just have to do the same thing. You keep having to fight for a spot.” She was burnt out.

Sarah Fuller: Football kicker’s mental health struggle, advocacy - Sports Illustrated

Sarah Fuller, who moonlighted as a kicker for Vanderbilt during the 2020 season, has become an advocate for better mental health resources at colleges.

www.si.com

The club scene is not set up for “love of the game” and good mental health, certainly not for the bulk of the players (including many elite players who still manage to succeed in that system). It’s a reason why playing HS soccer is, on balance, “healthier” than just training w/the club during that period (yes, I know the anecdotes of people saying that HS soccer contributes to injury but having watched years of club and HS, I have seen a higher percentage of serious injuries during club than during HS. The argument about skill erosion is ludicrous, too. Otherwise, any injury that puts a player on the shelf for 3 months would be a career-threatener). Healthier b/c of the mental adjustment that happens in HS - less pressure, more “fun”, representing the school, etc.

Further, simply giving more and longer breaks (like at the beginning of summer - do elite players even have ANY break?) staggered in the year would allow for mental and physical resets. Soccer is not alone, of course, as travel baseball and AAU hoops, volleyball, etc. have turned those sports into year round activities. In fact, the only sport that doesn’t seem to be year round now is football - and even that is changing with the increase in passing leagues, camps, etc.

 

[socalkdg]

That was part of the question simi asked that got this discussion going. I think 8-12 is on the low side for recruiting classes. My kid's school has had 18 and 16 the past two years. But I don't have any hard data beyond that. It's harder to infer the attrition rate when you try to account for redshirt years, transfers, and walk-ons, but one way I tried to calculate it was by counting the number of 4-5 year seniors on rosters. If you figured that the average recruiting class is say, 12, and there's 6 seniors on the team, you could guess the attrition rate is 50% for that particular class.

Also, that count should be done after the season starts as the summer roster will look huge because it hasn't been updated after cuts are made

Daughters school(starts in fall of 2023) has 8 2022's coming in(2 college transfers, 1 JC transfer, 5 from High School) 6 2023's so far(all from High School), with two spots still open. 30 on the roster (3 keepers). This can change for 2023 as players decide to graduate instead of playing the extra year, decide to transfer, or decide to quit playing (lack of playing time or loss of interest or time management). I would think each school is different depending on where they usually recruit with how many players they bring in every year.

I'm thankful my daughter didn't start soccer until she was 9, plus played other sports through her sophomore year, which I hope keeps the burnout factor from occurring. She is also at a one of her top 3 choices in the area she wants to be (So Cal). She realized after a couple visits that going out of State wasn't for her.

Let your kid pick the school they love, disregard division level, and make sure they will get some playing time. Can't imagine what life would be like for a kid going from 90 minute games 30 times a year to 10 minutes games 20 times a year.