What are my chances of being recruited if I am not listed on Rivals, Scout, or ESPN.com?
About as good as they would be if you were listed with one of these organizations.
These companies do not locate and scout players like top-notch, professional scouting services. They compile lists after these players have already been discovered by Division I programs and at high profile camps. The players’ ratings often accompanying these prospects are based, in most cases, on information provided to them from secondhand sources, not on firsthand knowledge or evaluations. In turn, because this is so-called “inside information,” the companies sell subscriptions to individuals who like to keep up with recruiting. College coaches do not recruit from these lists.
Dot com services may occassionally talk to prospects to find out where they want to go to college and they may even evaluate some videos of players to confirm their ratings. However, you can be assured that college coaches do their own evaluations. You will never find a college coach who recruits based on how these dot coms evaluate prospects.
If you want to be recruited (and you’re not already listed on one of these premier listing services), then your best option is to engage with a good, reliable scouting service whose primary purpose is to promote you to college coaches. Their job is to provide ample data, information and videotape which will allow college coaches to conduct a fair assessment of your skills and talents.
A viable scouting and recruiting service will personally scout you, produce a skill and/or game video of you, and keep every college coach in the country constantly aware of your progress through regularly distributed scouting reports. This work on your behalf will give you a substantial advantage over other prospects. By making your profile available to college coaches 24/7, they will have the flexibility to evaluate you from their offices, homes or while on the road recruiting. Moreover, far more coaches can have access to your information.
If you are good enough to play college sports, then you will almost surely get your chance, if you position yourself properly. Be aware, however, that all scouting companies are not equal. Some do a better job than others and some have a better track record and reputation than others. Do a comprehensive comparison of scouting services before you hire one
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