Plan B often becomes Plan A for college prospects

National Scouting Report scouts know this to be true: Rarely does a college prospect end up playing for his or her favorite school. For that reason, a prospect’s Plan B often evolves into Plan A.

Another truth: Every prospect fits into a Division I, II or III box. Their athletic talents and skills, along with their size, speed and strength, dictate this for college coaches.  Yes, there are a few exceptions — very few.  In most all cases, the box an athlete fits into is the box in which they eventually land.

College coaches know these boxes inside and out. Coaches specifically search for athletes who match the qualifications needed to fit their particular boxes. Indeed, coaches love to secure commitments from athletes who fit boxes in higher divisions. Attracting those athletes on campus gives programs an immediate upgrade. But even that scenario is seldom realized.

The problem for coaches comes when athletes who fit a lower-division box think they belong into Division I box. Local hype, overly optimistic family members, fans and high school/club coaches convince those athletes they are suited for D-I athletics when they are not.

Those athletes may be buoyed by a high scoring average, all-star recognition or a letter from a college coach that is misconstrued as a genuine recruiting letter.  That erroneous thinking creates a false sense of where they actually fit and puts them in the unenviable position of waiting for their favorite school to make an offer that is never going to materialize. Meanwhile, lower-division coaches move on to other prospects who accept their status and are eager to be recruited.  They receive the scholarship offers while the dreamers sit at home waiting.

That is why every high school athlete should have a Plan B that can become their Plan A.  It is better to compete in college and enjoy all the benefits of being a student-athlete than it is to lose the opportunity altogether.  Here are some tips to follow for every high school athlete wanting to play at the college level:

• Coaches decide into which box you fit.  Friends, family and high school/club coaches do not make that determination and have no influence on college coaches.  The box is the box. If you are a legitimate D-I prospect, you will be recruited by D-I coaches.  Likewise, if you are a firm D-II prospect, those coaches will be recruiting you.  You can dream, of course, but when the recruiting process begins in earnest, you fit where you fit.
• Honor every college inquiry.  Every school and program has its strong points. Search for the one that fits you best athletically, academically, geographically, financially and socially.  The right school is out there for you.
• Understand the nature of recruiting: Part I.  Coaches are evaluating and communicating with hundreds of other athletes.  You are competing for a roster spot, so any interest or offer is a high honor. Respect every coach who includes you in their recruiting process.
• Here today, gone tomorrow.  College coaches like to fish. They want the biggest fish they can catch, regardless of their division. If they are fishing for you, know that it is a true honor and that at any time they could fish for others. Why? Because you are not the only fish in the sea. Make the most of the attention you receive from any college coach.
• Develop as many coaching relationships as possible. Scholarships are most often offered to the prospects with whom the coaches are most familiar and with whom they have the best relationships.  The more of these positive relationships you form, the more offers you are likely to receive.
• Understand the nature of recruiting: Part II.  It is OK to say “no” to a coach.  At the end of the recruiting process, coaches know the risk they take when making you an offer. Be assured that when you say “no” to them, they simply will contact the next athlete on their list. Their feelings may be hurt, but not for long.