Don’t Get Left Behind in College Recruiting

Getting left behind has to be the saddest thing in recruiting.

National Scouting Report scouts see it at every turn. It is heartbreaking to see athletes whom they scouted in the ninth, 10th or 11th grade finish high school without realizing their dream of playing college sports.

We remember their energy and zeal, their bright eyes and seemingly endless optimism.  It is one of the true joys of scouting young athletes in their high school years. They envision unlimited things on their horizon.

Then reality sets in and crushes their spirit.  What could have happened is replaced by what didn’t happen.

As NSR scouts, it is so hard to watch.  We know those prospects could be in a totally different mindset if they had experienced the college recruiting process, visited college campuses and received interest from coaches.

Recruiting changes a young person’s life, outlook and perspective.  No doubt, it is hard to go through at times, but what prospect wouldn’t do it to be on a college team?

That’s why when NSR scouts interview student-athletes in their homes and qualify them as legitimate college prospects, they try so hard to enroll them. They know if they walk out the door without a commitment from their parents to represent, promote and work with their children that their chances of receiving college offers just plummeted.

Then, when those scouts see those athletes again a few years later, when they make eye contact with them, they realize their recruiting dreams have faded. There is a sadness in their expression and body language.  There is no need for explanation or discussion. They have been left behind.