As the fall signing period approaches, the 2012 class is going through a variety of emotions. Some are secure as they have taken the visits they want, have decided or are deciding soon on a school, and are gearing up to finish their final prep season with the recruiting process behind them. Others are scheduling tentative visits, and should be discussing options with their families. More still, are holding out hope that their final prep year will be outstanding enough to earn them a late offer. Its obvious which position everyone would like to be in. However, with proper planning and a serious dose of reality and perspective, any talented player can put themselves into that first group.
First of all, it is important to know what true interest is. If a college offers a scholarship, then obviously they're interested. That is a no brainer. If coaches come down to your school to see you, or if you recieve a phone call from the head coach and/or multiple calls from an assistant, then that is real interest. If you are recieving letters, then sorry. That is not interest. Student-athletes too often list interested schools as being those they've recieved a standard letter of interest form from. What they don't know is that most schools have coaches or graduate students that stuff envelopes and send those out just in case a student-athlete makes a big leap forward. If they become interested, they will call.
Too often, athletes see letters as true interest. This impression often results in players holding out for the D-1 dream when they're actually the 4th or 5th option for some teams. Come spring, they are trapped in a desperation mode, looking for any open offers because the D-1 offers never came. At this point, most of the D-2 and NAIA schools have picked up most of their commitments as well. This leaves a large number of athletes searching for a small number of open spots. This is a situation that favors the schools, not the athletes and lands many players in JUCO or simply in the workforce.
To stop this from happening to you, you need to cover your bases and remember the following advice: The right school is the one that wants you. If you are recieving calls and invitations from D-2 schools while letters from the D-1s by the beginning of your final prep year, its time to put away your pride and seriously consider those D-2s. Otherwise, the D2s will go to their second or third options and you will be left with nothing. Remember, a full scholarship is a full, which means you have the opportunity to get your college paid for. Cast your pride away and do not waste that opportunity.
For more information, follow me on twitter @coachdesautels
First of all, it is important to know what true interest is. If a college offers a scholarship, then obviously they're interested. That is a no brainer. If coaches come down to your school to see you, or if you recieve a phone call from the head coach and/or multiple calls from an assistant, then that is real interest. If you are recieving letters, then sorry. That is not interest. Student-athletes too often list interested schools as being those they've recieved a standard letter of interest form from. What they don't know is that most schools have coaches or graduate students that stuff envelopes and send those out just in case a student-athlete makes a big leap forward. If they become interested, they will call.
Too often, athletes see letters as true interest. This impression often results in players holding out for the D-1 dream when they're actually the 4th or 5th option for some teams. Come spring, they are trapped in a desperation mode, looking for any open offers because the D-1 offers never came. At this point, most of the D-2 and NAIA schools have picked up most of their commitments as well. This leaves a large number of athletes searching for a small number of open spots. This is a situation that favors the schools, not the athletes and lands many players in JUCO or simply in the workforce.
To stop this from happening to you, you need to cover your bases and remember the following advice: The right school is the one that wants you. If you are recieving calls and invitations from D-2 schools while letters from the D-1s by the beginning of your final prep year, its time to put away your pride and seriously consider those D-2s. Otherwise, the D2s will go to their second or third options and you will be left with nothing. Remember, a full scholarship is a full, which means you have the opportunity to get your college paid for. Cast your pride away and do not waste that opportunity.
For more information, follow me on twitter @coachdesautels
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