NCSA Blog

It’s the hottest trend in college recruiting: Committing early to play at a college.

How early?  In some cases, as early as the 8th grade.  In most cases, high school athletes are giving verbal commitments in their sophomore and junior years.  A month or so ago, phenom high school quarterback Tom Savage committed early to Rutgers before he even was done with his Junior year.  Getting noticed early has terrific benefits, but it also begs the question: How early is too early?  And, what are the pros and cons of jumping on that band wagon?

Since we’re fielding those two questions more and more from both parents and prospects here at NCSA, I wanted to tell you what you need to know about this vitally important decision.  There can be advantages to committing early to a program, but there are also some things you need to be aware of if you’re thinking about taking that route.

• The big advantage to committing early is securing a place to play in college.  That sounds obvious, but those that don’t get the opportunity to commit early - or choose not to do so - accept a certain amount of risk going into their Senior year.  Injuries could happen, they could see a dip in their athletic performance…lots can happen that last year in school.  Committing early takes the risk out of that decision.
• Another advantage when you commit early is reducing the stress and time involved with extending the recruiting process.  By the time athletes enter their Senior year, the stress of figuring out what school to go to is gets tiring.  NCSA athletes who use our matching process to be seen by college coaches tell us that committing early allows them to enjoy their Senior year and focus on finishing strong academically and athletically.
• One of the dangers in committing early?  Making a decision based on something less than solid information.  Tom Savage, who I referred to earlier, will probably have a great career with the Scarlet Knights and chose a solid school.  But in the article I read about him (see the link above), he tells the story of sitting at a Rutgers game and seeing the head coach turn around and wink at him just before kickoff.  At that moment, he says, he knew he wanted to be a Scarlet Knight.  Did he make a good decision?  Only time will tell.  The Rutgers football program, and their staff, is top notch.  I just hope the school, the area and the academic offerings are a good fit for this promising prospect.
• Another danger?  Committing to a school before visiting the school.  You shouldn’t choose the place where you are going to spend the next four to five years of your life based upon how many times you’ve seen them on ESPN.  Programs can’t pay for an official visit until your Senior year, but if you are thinking of committing early I highly recommend that you pay for your own trip to the school.  Spend time there, talk to the team, and get a feel for the campus.  Make sure you are making the right decision.

Which course of action is the best one for you?  There is no one “best” answer to that question.  It has to be something that prospects and parents both have to agree upon.

If I had a high school athlete that had the chance to commit early, I would just make sure that he or she knew everything they could about the coach, the program, the players and what the school offered academically.  If everything lines up accordingly, I don’t see a problem with securing your athletic and academic future as early as possible.

One thing I do know: Early commitments will continue to happen, and they will probably continue to happen earlier and earlier in a high school athlete’s career.  With that in mind, early exposure to the most coaches possible is more important than ever to prospects who hope to play at the next level.

P.S.  If you have questions about the process, or getting the attention of college coaches, we have a team of former college athletes and recruiting experts that will answer your questions for free.  All you have to do is call.  You can reach us toll free at 1-888-333-6846.  We’d love the chance to help you understand the whole process better.

Finding a place to play college athletics is not as easy as many people think. Finding the RIGHT place to actually PLAY is even harder. Former University of Chicago soccer coach Avi Stopper offered tips for high school students who are looking to extend their playing careers.

While Stopper’s points are genuine, they miss some critical points that recruits need to know. Stopper tells students to find colleges by talking to friends and family, using books and on-line guidance tools and speaking with college counselors. These methods can be useful, but student-athletes need to understand that just because they like a college and may qualify academically, that does not mean they will be a fit for the team. Stopper continues by preaching that student-athletes should research the team website, narrow down a list of five to ten colleges and then visit these colleges.

We are missing a vital step here!

In order to be recruited and find out where you stand, you MUST communicate directly with the college coach.

Speak with your high school and/or club coaches or an NCSA Recruiting Coach to get an honest assessment of what divisions you may qualify for. Then, you must introduce yourself to the college coach. You should never narrow down your options until you know exactly where you fall on those coaches’ recruiting boards. If you want to select a college and try to walk on, Stopper’s advice may work, but if you want to PLAY, a lot more work and scrutiny must go into your college selection process.

 The Chattanooga Times Free Press sat down with Coach Phil Fulmer to discuss the almost unbelievable trouble that came from the top 20 prospects of 2005. Of Rivals.com top 20 prospects of the ‘05 class, 11 were arrested. Coach Fulmer took the opportunity to stress how coaches have and will continue to emphasize character now more than ever.

“Is that right?” Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said when told the stat. “Well, the ability today’s media has to communicate with these kids gives them a lot of hype, and they get a very unrealistic picture of what the real world is all about. We see that, and most of the time kids overcome that because the upperclassmen tend to educate them pretty quickly, but sometimes they never overcome it.”

Fulmer uses the same sermons he did a decade ago, talking to players about the importance of getting an education and how only 2 percent of college players go on to the NFL. He sees more prospects from single-parent homes than ever before, but he still sees plenty of players worth boasting about.

“Hardesty is about to get his business degree, and we’ve got a number of those guys who are doing really well,” Fulmer said. “That’s what you hope, because you know what? Those end up being your best football teams. It takes those kinds of guys and not some selfish guy who’s looking for the NFL answer.

“We’ve sent our share of guys on to the NFL, but we’ve also had plenty who have been capable of surviving outside of football, too.”

Recruits in every sport can fall into the dangerous trap of believing their own hype.  They would be wise to stay humble and focus on being great student athletes on and off the field. 

NCSA CEO Chris Krause wrote a great post last week about the importance of selecting the right summer camp.  ESPN’s Bill Conely, who previously was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for 17 years at Ohio State, wrote a great article mirroring a lot of the same points as Chris.

These summer camps are crucial for several reasons. First of all, the camp is a chance for college coaches to do a thorough evaluation of the athletes — exact sizes, speed, agility and football skills can be checked out. Secondly, it gives the staff an opportunity to meet the athlete on a personal basis for, in many cases, the first time. Thirdly, it may keep the better athletes away from opposing programs for at least that day or week. Summer camps are just as important for the athlete. It gives him a chance to show off his talents in front of college coaches and to sell himself as a person. Recruits, along with their parents and high school coach, usually select a limited number of summer camps to attend. They choose the camps at which they can receive the most exposure and at the schools that have shown the most interest in them — schools that have already, or could potentially, extend a scholarship offer.

Coach Conley also noted other factors that play a huge role on where they end up on the college’s recruiting board.

Many players will be dropped at this point — because of academic problems, poor performance evaluations, character flaws and not passing the eye-ball test in terms of size. This is the crucial whittling down time during which college staffs make hard choices on whom to take off the board. As ironic as it may sound, other names may be added after spring evaluations; but not nearly as many high school juniors are added as are eliminated. 

Student athletes need to make sure they are taking care of business in the classroom and finishing the semester strong.  Then they should get ready for a summer of hard work!

 A fifth year of eligibility for football players?  

Several powerful names take a look at various issues facing college football

Former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden’s thoughts on recruiting

Why grades really matter:

Student Diversity is in demand.

Nebraska’s Recruiting Strategy, unheralded prospects take heart

Florida is trying to keep up with the Jones’.

The debate on steroid testing in high school continues.

This week’s inspirational story about the power of sport.

by Chris Krause, NCSA Founder and President

As we head into the Summer months, there’s a question that parents and student-athletes keep calling-in to ask us here at the National Collegiate Scouting Association: “What college Summer camp should I go to?”

I know why they’re asking that question.  They are hoping that there’s some top secret gathering place of athletes in their sport that college coaches flock to so that they can see (and sign) next year’s top prospects.  Not surprisingly, they are disappointed when we tell them that there is no such thing as the “right” Summer camp.

There are literally thousands of Summer camps, run by college coaches, covering every sport in every part of the country. They are great opportunities to further your chances of getting recruited and playing college sports.

I believe that parents think Summer camp is where all the recruiting happens for the next year.  And while it’s true that some athletes are “discovered” at a Summer camp and get seriously recruited to the college where they attended the camp, most are not.

Why?  Here are a few simple reasons that I want you to understand:

• College coaches run Summer sports camps primarily for their own financial gain.  That sounds unethical to some, but it’s not.  Sports camps are essential for coaches and their programs.  They provide much needed funding that adds to a coach’s earnings, or provides funds for equipment, travel and uniforms for the next year.  Contrary to popular opinion, most college coaches are not mega-rich celebrities.  Most, in fact, are underpaid and overworked.  Summer sports camps allow them to make-up some of the difference.
• College coaches want to see athletes that they are already recruiting.  In other words, they will invite prospects that they have received information on to their Summer camps as a way to get an up-close-and-personal look at their talents and abilities.  As I said earlier, some talented athletes will get “discovered” by a college coach at one of their camps, but they are more interested and focused upon seeing a prospect who they are recruiting.

If you go in to a Summer sports camp with a realistic understanding of what a college Summer sports camp is really all about, you can prepare yourself to make the most of your chance to impress a coach once you arrive for their camp.  Knowing what you know now, here’s what I would recommend you do to make the most of your chance to attend a college’s Summer sports camp when it comes to giving you the edge in getting recruited:

1. Make sure coaches know about you in advance.  Don’t plan on getting “discovered” there.  They need to get information on you in advance so that they know who, and what, to look for once you arrive.
2. Call or e-mail the coach ahead of time.  Introduce yourself and make sure that they know your name, and that you have an interest in playing for them in college.  Ask them what they are looking for in the way of prospects for the upcoming year.
3. Get one-on-one time with the coach at the Summer camp.  You’ve paid your camp fee, so now try and get a little “bonus” time with the coach.  Have them take a look at your mechanics, and your athletic strengths and weaknesses.  Get their assessment on whether or not you have what it takes to play at that level.  If you are a NCSA pre-qualified student-athlete, give your personal recruiting coach a call to get an idea of what kinds of questions to ask the coach at the Summer camp you attend.  That’s one of the benefits of having NCSA on your side…use it!
4. Follow-up with the coach after the camp ends.  99 out of 100 Summer camp attendees go to the camp, and then never have any other contact with a coach.  Don’t let that be you!  Make contact with the coach after the camp…via e-mail, phone, or regular written contact.  Your goal is to show them that you are interested in them, and to try and find out what it will take to get a shot at playing for their college.

The thing I want to stress when it comes to Summer camps is that they are not the magic solution to getting recruited.  They are piece of the puzzle, but not the one-stop solution.

Don’t count on getting discovered by a college coach at the Summer sports camp you attend.  Instead, use the opportunity to form a relationship with a college coach who might just be looking for an athlete like you next year.  And, if you haven’t gone through NCSA’s pre-qualification evaluation yet, click here to get started so that you don’t waste the opportunity to make an impact with a college coach this Summer!

The NCAA’s Official Blog, the Double A Zone sat down with Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel for a quick interview celebrating the Wilson football Museum in Ada, OH.  You can listen to the audio here.  As usual recruits can learn a lot by listening to a college coach.

One of the first things we do in recruiting is make sure they understand that if they come to Ohio State, it’s going to be more than just about football. Really football is the given. That’s their favorite subject. That’s their passion, but we make sure they know before they come that we’re going to be involved in a lot more than just that. With our love of football, we can make a difference in other areas and we can also be the best student we’re capable of being.

Shocker! A coach who recruits players that are good students and are passionate about their sport.  How do recruits make this clear to a coach?  On the field they need to play hard on every single play and show a determination to become the best player they can be.  Off the field a great way to exhibit your passion for the game is by talking to coaches while on visits and the phone.  Recruits have an unlimited amount of outgoing calls and unofficial visits.  Trust me; coaches are keeping track of who really wants to play at their school.

by Matt Luckett, NCSA Recruiting Coach

Experience comes in so many different forms for college baseball players.  The biggest jump for baseball players is from high school to college.  This is why so many players take the Junior College (JC or JUCO) route, as it is the best fit for them.

When a four year program gets a JC transfer they are getting a player that is polished and is ready to compete.  Unlike most high school players who do not hone the skills to step in and make an impact as a freshman. Not only are players mature physically but they are more mature mentally.  One of the biggest successes in a transfer is their character.  They will prove it on the road, as well as, on and off the field. Players with grades from 2.0 – 3.0 GPA find the transition to a JC much easier.  This is a great way to get adjusted to the college academic schedule and demand.  Also, when transferring the academic requirements is much lower then a high school student, making it easier to get into a four year school. Many players get overlooked because there are so many ballplayers.  Many JC programs duplicate that of major DI programs.  Thus making the player prepared to make an impact right away.  As JUCO coaches are more reputable than high school coaches when it comes to judging player talent. By attending a JC and proving yourself you may get the opportunity to play at a higher level program then offered out of high school.  Many college coaches have stated that they prefer to take a transfer over a high school freshman.

The one of the most important parts of the recruiting process is doing research and making sure you are on a four-year school’s radar.  Looking at college program’s roster and player bio’s will give you an idea of where you might fit.  Whatever your decision becomes, the junior college is never a bad way to go.

 Rivals.com is reporting some interesting news coming from Ty Willingham and the University of Washington.  It appears that Football recruiting is following the same trend as basketball and slowly handing more and more underclassmen oral scholarship offers.  Rules state that an offer can’t come in writing until the first day of a prospect’s junior year, but that hasn’t stopped coaches. 

“I know what’s happening in our state, a lot of the schools from out of the state, colleges from out of state, are coming in and just offering all kinds of sophomores,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. “We really haven’t gotten to know them as well, and it puts a little bit of heat on us being the home school and all that, so it’s put a little bit of all of a sudden now you’re trying to find out more about that (2010) guy or (2011) guy. I’m hoping we don’t get into the eighth and ninth grade deal, but everything in this world is getting faster.”

Coach Willingham already realizes that the day has arrived.  He just offered a scholarship to 2011 grad Kasen Williams.

“It’s coming,” Willingham said. “I offered my first freshman a couple weeks ago, so it’s coming.”

While many see the same pattern emerging as college basketball, there is one huge difference.  In football it is commonplace to offer far more players than you have slots for.  Basketball coaches typically honor a verbal commitment, but will football coaches hold the same line?  What if a player blows out a knee?  What if he becomes lazy and out of shape once he has received an offer?  What if he just doesn’t develop the way a coach predicted? Will a football coach still honor their word and present a recruit with a written offer when junior year roll around?

The fallout from these moves will force recruits to adapt. The upside is it may allow Division II and III recruits an opportunity to receive attention before their senior year.  With Division I recruits identified at an earlier age, other divisions will be able realistically identify talent that fits their school. This will allow recruits of all ability to pro-actively contact schools well before their senior year and in turn receive serious attention and offers.

 O.K. Last OJ Mayo article I write. I promise.  After reading Stephen A. Smith’s bizarre rant about the issue, I decided one more time to present a saner view of how the NCAA could potentially police the issue.  Strangely enough, it comes from one the more outspoken personalities in the NBA, Mark Cuban.

Cuban used his blogmaverick to advance the idea of the IRS cracking down on this obviously illegal behavior.  I find it amazing that no one else has even discussed the legality of the issue, instead focusing only on the moral implications.  Cuban writes:

So what should be done ? I can tell you that an NBA study, as well as an NBA / NCAA joint effort would be meaningless. Why ? Because the root of the problem is that there will always be those that try to profit from other people’s dreams. It may be a dream of playing in the Olympics. It may be a dream of playing in the NBA. It may be a dream of being rich. It may be a dream of going to college. Unless there is an efficient market of information going between those who can make the dreams come true and the dreamers, which I don’t think is possible given the way the NCAA and High School organizations interact with student athletes, then there will always be room for the scammers to capitalize on those dreams.Fortunately there is a simple solution.Bring in the IRS. I think I can say with certainty that there were not any contracts signed between the parties giving and receiving money on the behalf of High School students. Agree ?I think I can also say with certainty that those who gave more than 10k dollars in gifts did not pay any gift taxes on amounts given to individuals. If the amounts were given to charities, I’m guessing some, if not most of those charities were either not qualified or did not live up to their certification requirements.