I write the title this way because you must know the experience behind this post. I only recently left the NCAA. I hope this is useful for at least even one family who is stressed out right now.
How are people committing so fast June 15th?
1. First and foremost, coaches break the rules. Especially top ones whose jobs are a continual arms race, and the difference between them having a winning season and losing season is them dropping 1 or two positions down on their recruiting list for an outside hitter slot.
There is the ever present, “well they’re breaking the rules, so I need to as well!” See section 13.4 of the NCAA Manual, you can google it. There is zero way to police this and everyone knows it who has been on the other side of the table. They solicit recruiting conversations illegally, and the process is accelerated for these student-athletes.
2. I’ll never forget one young lady who was told on June 15th by a top school, “You have until the end of this Zoom call to commit.” Crazy right? She did. What pressure for a young woman.
3. Athletes will commit and NEVER have stepped foot on campus. Woah.
Why do I bring this up? Within the various talent ranges, positional needs, and more, the recruiting process is going to look different. It can be quick, drawn out, and in between.
Here is how a normal recruiting process looks for schools before June 15th.
You have 3 tiers of talent for a slot. The “hail marys” (we probably won’t get them but we gotta try) the average (they won’t hurt or help the program) and the uh ohs (they can play here but a B side player at max). Within these 3 tiers, coaches will pursue the hail marys first, because THEY are the ones that will improve their program.
You might be in a lower tier, but get contacted, but things are moving slow. The reason? They are working the top of their list first 99% of the time, but need you on the hook in case it doesn’t work out with the hail marys. You may not like this, but it is what it is.
But because hail marys have a ton of interest, they have to work so hard and long to get them a lot of the time, leaving you wondering where you were in the mix. Cue in ghosting, non committal responses from coaches.
How does this affect you? It is a glimpse into why a process can be drawn out. There’s other reasons, but that should be a different post.
Takeaway?
No matter where you were on that list pre June 15th, who gives a $HI&. If someone is going to give you an opportunity because others committed elsewhere, great. Show them why you should have been number 1 on the list.
If you aren’t getting the amount of interest you thought or otherwise, it is time to pickup that keyboard and send more emails with intent and strategy behind it.
Ego, fear of rejection, and social media pressure are real things. But what a wonderful learning opportunity for young men and women at this time that will serve them in the years to come. Stay encouraged.
Coach David