If you're a High School Senior, hopefully you're committed or signed by now. If not, its time to look honestly at the options you have in front of you. Here are the different levels, and how to approach them.
D1: If you have a D1 offer, then great! Seriously consider it, take that visit. If it looks good, take the offer. If you can't see yourself playing there, be realistic and go to a lower level. However, if you have no D1 offers, read on: The biggest mistake most High School Seniors make in their recruitment process is uttering the following sentence: "I'm completely committed to going D1." My immediate response to hearing this (besides vomiting in my mouth) is: Why would you shoot yourself in the foot like that? If people hear you say that sentence, and they're considering you at a D2 or NAIA, they'll back off. Why? Nobody wants a player that is not going to want to be there. Honestly, if you're a senior, have no offers or D1 coaches calling you or coming to see you by this point, and are looking 'only D1' still, you don't live in reality. Most likely, that offer is not coming. Listen, your AAU or HS coach may think you are a D1 player. That doesn't matter. The D1 coach has to think you're a D1 player. If they're not talking to you as often as they can, then they don't think you can help them. If you have some D2 offers, but D1's are calling... fine, entertain them, but remember, those offers won't be around forever. Chances are the school has offered you and a couple of other guys, whoever takes the offer first gets it. Don't get left out.
D2: Depending on the level of D2, you have some time to pick up an offer. I've placed players at Division 2 schools as late as July. However, this is the exception, not the rule. As stated earlier, most D2s offer a few guys at the same position for one scholarship. When someone accepts, the offer for the rest comes off the table. If you have an offer, I'd seriously consider visiting. It shows your interest, and if you feel comfortable with the University and the coaching staff, commit. A free education goes a long way.
NAIA: Some NAIA's aren't done recruiting until August. If you're looking for an NAIA scholarship or aid, its best to be proactive, contact the coaching staff, and guage interest and need. If you feel like you'd like to go there, take a visit (usually on your dime). If you feel comfortable there, commit.
D3: D3's don't offer athletic scholarships. Financial Aid can go a long ways. Contact coaches and find a spot that it financially reasonable for you.
JUCO: Many JUCO's aren't done until school starts. If you've dropped the ball and missed out on 4 year offers, feel like you need another year, didn't qualify academically, or are still D1 "focused," then Juco is for you.
Prep School: Prep is much like Juco without using a year of eligibility. If you feel like you need an extra year or an extra class to qualify, then contact some prep schools about enrolling for the next year. Be careful, Prep Schools are expensive, and everyone who goes has the same goal. You will have to be competetive but relatively unselfish. Be realistic, If you're lacking in skill, or aren't at least the best player on your high school team, Prep School may not be the best choice. Even the best teams have a last guy on the bench, and if you don't want to pay to sit, maybe think about a Junior College. If you contact a prep school looking for a scholarship, don't expect to get it. Like colleges, if they give scholarships, they already have a list of who they are after as well. I hate to be blunt, but if you're contacting them... you're not on that list.
The most important thing about figuring out what to do with your future when its late and you are starting to scramble is to BE REALISTIC. Look at who is actively recruiting you, and what your options are. Keep outside influences away, and make this a family decision. If you feel you need an extra year to 'develop' think about who told you that. If it was a club coach, often he will want you to play on the AAU circuit for another summer, especially if you're paying for it.
Again, BE REALISTIC. Ask yourself this question: Who is recruiting me now? If the answer is nobody, then contact Jucos, preps (but be willing to pay), and NAIAs/D3s. If the answer is D1 or D2, then that is the spot you should seriously look at. Strongly consider all offers. If you blow them off, you'll be the one left with nothing.
Hopefully this help with your decision about your future. Keep the big picture in perspective, be patient, and most importantly be realistic about yourself and your skill level. If you have questions, don't hesitate to email me at adamdesautels@gmail.com.
For more information, follow me on twitter @coachdesautels
D1: If you have a D1 offer, then great! Seriously consider it, take that visit. If it looks good, take the offer. If you can't see yourself playing there, be realistic and go to a lower level. However, if you have no D1 offers, read on: The biggest mistake most High School Seniors make in their recruitment process is uttering the following sentence: "I'm completely committed to going D1." My immediate response to hearing this (besides vomiting in my mouth) is: Why would you shoot yourself in the foot like that? If people hear you say that sentence, and they're considering you at a D2 or NAIA, they'll back off. Why? Nobody wants a player that is not going to want to be there. Honestly, if you're a senior, have no offers or D1 coaches calling you or coming to see you by this point, and are looking 'only D1' still, you don't live in reality. Most likely, that offer is not coming. Listen, your AAU or HS coach may think you are a D1 player. That doesn't matter. The D1 coach has to think you're a D1 player. If they're not talking to you as often as they can, then they don't think you can help them. If you have some D2 offers, but D1's are calling... fine, entertain them, but remember, those offers won't be around forever. Chances are the school has offered you and a couple of other guys, whoever takes the offer first gets it. Don't get left out.
D2: Depending on the level of D2, you have some time to pick up an offer. I've placed players at Division 2 schools as late as July. However, this is the exception, not the rule. As stated earlier, most D2s offer a few guys at the same position for one scholarship. When someone accepts, the offer for the rest comes off the table. If you have an offer, I'd seriously consider visiting. It shows your interest, and if you feel comfortable with the University and the coaching staff, commit. A free education goes a long way.
NAIA: Some NAIA's aren't done recruiting until August. If you're looking for an NAIA scholarship or aid, its best to be proactive, contact the coaching staff, and guage interest and need. If you feel like you'd like to go there, take a visit (usually on your dime). If you feel comfortable there, commit.
D3: D3's don't offer athletic scholarships. Financial Aid can go a long ways. Contact coaches and find a spot that it financially reasonable for you.
JUCO: Many JUCO's aren't done until school starts. If you've dropped the ball and missed out on 4 year offers, feel like you need another year, didn't qualify academically, or are still D1 "focused," then Juco is for you.
Prep School: Prep is much like Juco without using a year of eligibility. If you feel like you need an extra year or an extra class to qualify, then contact some prep schools about enrolling for the next year. Be careful, Prep Schools are expensive, and everyone who goes has the same goal. You will have to be competetive but relatively unselfish. Be realistic, If you're lacking in skill, or aren't at least the best player on your high school team, Prep School may not be the best choice. Even the best teams have a last guy on the bench, and if you don't want to pay to sit, maybe think about a Junior College. If you contact a prep school looking for a scholarship, don't expect to get it. Like colleges, if they give scholarships, they already have a list of who they are after as well. I hate to be blunt, but if you're contacting them... you're not on that list.
The most important thing about figuring out what to do with your future when its late and you are starting to scramble is to BE REALISTIC. Look at who is actively recruiting you, and what your options are. Keep outside influences away, and make this a family decision. If you feel you need an extra year to 'develop' think about who told you that. If it was a club coach, often he will want you to play on the AAU circuit for another summer, especially if you're paying for it.
Again, BE REALISTIC. Ask yourself this question: Who is recruiting me now? If the answer is nobody, then contact Jucos, preps (but be willing to pay), and NAIAs/D3s. If the answer is D1 or D2, then that is the spot you should seriously look at. Strongly consider all offers. If you blow them off, you'll be the one left with nothing.
Hopefully this help with your decision about your future. Keep the big picture in perspective, be patient, and most importantly be realistic about yourself and your skill level. If you have questions, don't hesitate to email me at adamdesautels@gmail.com.
For more information, follow me on twitter @coachdesautels
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