Like life, like nature, recruiting follows a cycle. There is an information-gathering period, an evaluation period, a getting-to-know- you stage, an offer, a woo-ing stage and a closing stage. At each stage, coaches drop players from their list and begin to narrow down their top targets to a group that they will focus their time and energy on. Here is a quick overview of the cycle:
INFORMATION GATHERING – (FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE):
– Building a Watch List for each graduating class with any potential athlete that would be a fit for the program, as early as freshman year (See 8 Reasons Why Players May Be Recruited)
– Sending questionnaires, updating contact and school info in the database
EVALUATION PERIOD (SOPHOMORE/JUNIOR/SENIOR):
– Calling prep coaches in assigned areas to find out more about the players on current Watch Lists, also adding new unknown players coaches may recommend
– Reviewing highlight videos and game film
– Traveling to games or tournaments to evaluate players in person
– Inviting players to camps or clinics
– Inviting players to games, Junior Days or unofficial visits
– Evaluating transcripts and grades
– Using social media accounts to learn more about players personalities and mindset on the recruiting process
– Discovering any red flags about prospective student-athletes concerning grades, character or attitudes
– Sending mail and academic information to prospects
GETTING-TO-KNOW STAGE (JUNIOR/SENIOR):
– Getting to know your selection factors, decision timeline and the people who will be helping you make your decision
– Calling you, your family, your mentors and your coaches to stay up- to-date with your life, often non-athletic conversations. The NCAA regulates when and how often college coaches may call you and your family, these rules vary by sport.
– Showing up at your games to show support
– Building relationships with you and everyone that is important with you and who could help you make the decision
– Sending you more personalized academic info, athletic info and personal notes
– Inviting you to campus for an Official or Unofficial Visit- giving you a campus tour, invitation to a campus event or athletic event and making you feel at home
– Answering questions that you may have about their program, university, depth chart and situation. Recruiting is a two-way street and if they are sincerely interested in you, they want you to be just as excited about the decision as they are
– Encouraging you to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
SCHOLARSHIP OFFER (SOPHOMORE/JUNIOR/SENIOR):
– As a staff, the head coach will discuss your skills, size, speed, intangibles and academics with the assistant coaches and make a decision to offer you a scholarship. They rank, by position, their preference of players. They play the waiting game of waiting on their top choice to get their commitment, if they aren’t getting an immediate yes they will keep their options open. Coaches are often conservative in deciding to offer a player a scholarship.
WOO-ING STAGE:
– After extending a scholarship offer, coaches will begin putting the press on you, throwing stats and impressive facts at you and will do everything they can do to market their program to you. They want you to feel at home and feel like you are surrounded by family.
CLOSING THE DEAL:
– Official Visits, paid for by the athletic department
– In-Home Visits, where coaches make a trip to your house to seal the deal and get a commitment
– Finalizing the official National Letter of Intent paperwork
– Finalizing test scores and transcripts in order for you to qualify academically
– Finalizing all information with the NCAA Clearinghouse
– Finalizing university admissions, housing and scheduling paperwork
FIRST DAY OF CLASS!
