In recruiting, high school athletes are always on the clock

Day by day, prospects are being pulled out of the recruiting line by college coaches

Every aspiring high school prospect wanting to play college sports is on the clock from the moment he or she enters the ninth grade.  That is when coaches really begin to dial in on prospective athletes.  Why so early, you ask?  Freshmen in high school are the ones that will replace the freshmen on their current squads, so coaches already know what they will need to recruit for that class.  In this case, the Class of 2016.

Seems far fetched to some parents and prospects that coaches might be out there sifting through crowded tournaments and showcases for ninth graders, but it’s true.  The earlier they can identify potential recruits, the sooner they can begin developing relationships with those select few that will eventually represent their team and college on the Big Stage.

We too frequently hear parents say, “Oh, it’s too early.  We want to wait a year or so before getting our kid wrapped up in all that.”  Well, to be blunt, that is a mistake and it is highly probable that your child will suffer the consequences of that shortsighted view.

College coaches want to know about prospects as soon as possible.  They need to put potential recruits through their evaluation process and the further in advance that they have to carefully consider and scrutinize prospects, the more likely they are to sign athletes which match their specific needs.

When parents decide to delay putting their child into the mix, they are in turn putting them at risk of being overlooked or passed over in favor of prospects that have personally connected with college coaches, and those are the prospects that end up with choices instead of having to scramble during their junior and senior years hoping that a coach somewhere will give them the shot they’ve dreamed of all along.

The clock is ticking.  It is always ticking.  Get in line.