In the past several years, players, parents and coaches have all witnessed a number of significant changes with how the recruiting process works throughout many of the different sports fields. The most obvious change has been the timing of when players commit to schools. Many will verbally commit before the athlete completes their junior year in high school. While this is not true for all recruits, it has become common enough to explore further. How does this happen so early?

NCAA rules allow prospects to visit campuses at their own expense anytime. These campus tours are referred to as unofficial visits and can occur even when the prospect is very young (8th, ninth and 10th grades for example). The main benefit to an athlete making an unofficial visit is the opportunity to meet with the coach. NCAA rules allow coaches to meet with prospects on campus during unofficial visits regardless of the prospect’s age or year in school. This face-to-face meeting is a great way to learn more about the school and athletic program, the coach, his interest in recruiting you and how the recruiting process will unfold.

Once in 11th grade, recruits will receive letters and emails from coaches who are interested in recruiting them. This is the first opportunity for Division I coaches to make any contact with a prospect other than sending a one-time generic questionnaire. Phone calls and text messages from Division I coaches can also occur at the coach’s discretion once the prospect begins their junior year of high school.  This is a major rules change that will go into effect August 1, 2014.  Prospects and their parents, however, are allowed to call coaches anytime. This is a key step in making arrangements to meet with a coach during an unofficial visit. Although Division I coaches cannot initiate or return calls prior to September 1 of the prospect’s junior year, they do like prospects to call them to schedule a campus visit.  This is especially true in cases where the prospect is a good fit in their athletic program. In other words, do your homework first before calling a coach. Make sure the prospect has the necessary academic and athletic qualifications to attend the school.

An Athlete should arrange several unofficial visits during his sophomore year in high school. Every prospect should ultimately visit the school(s) they are interested in attending. This cannot be over emphasized considering what they learn during these visits will influence and affect where they decide to spend four years of their life. During these visits, coaches can offer prospects roster positions and/or scholarships but only in a verbal manner. Official signings occur first in mid-November during the prospect’s senior year in high school. The key is to be proactive and arrange the unofficial visits, especially if letters, emails, calls and text messages are being received from the school during the prospect’s junior year. (New rule goes into effect August 1, 2014).

A word of caution for anyone who is interested in making an early verbal commitment: THINGS CHANGE! While you may think a school is right for you, what will happen if the coach leaves or your game improves to a level where you could play for a better team? Be slow and careful to make the right decision. Once you give the coach your word, make sure it is final. This is what you should expect from the coach as well.

I NEVER recommend a verbal commit.  But, if it is the school that you absolutely want to go to, and you have the skills, then commit, but only if there are NO OTHER colleges you would EVER go to.  Because the coach could get fired, resign, or move on, your scholarship is with the school, not the coach.