Senior Year Course Correction: Try to Find a Late D1 or go the Juco route?

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Sep 17, 2009
1,637
83
We have a player on our 18U team that has matured late and would be a very solid D1 recruit but is getting a late start at that level (and as a team we've placed most of our girls in below-D1 the past few years anyway so that's an issue too). She's a SS/C.

We'd welcome any advice. Is trying to find a D1 late opening (likely with limited or no money) worthwhile or should she try to land at a Juco with a good D1 pipeline? We are in the midwest/Chicago area -- are there any Jucos that stand out locally (the ones we know don't really fit that critera)? If she needs to go out of the midwest, what's a good plan to get seen by Jucos unlikely to see her in midwest exposure this fall? Are top tier Jucos already full-up?

Any help appreciated...really want to help this girl out, she's a player and a good kid.
 
Jun 8, 2012
60
0
Illinois
Try Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL. They are a solid Juco that has won a couple national championships. Not sure what kind of pipeline they have though
 
May 13, 2012
599
18
She's a good student (A student, AP courses, high but not super-high ACT).

What is a super high act for athletes. 36 is perfect and DD has couple of athletes at her school who pushed it. Some were wow low. She was upper 20's and seemed to be in the minority, fewer above than below her.
 
Feb 15, 2016
273
18
It is possible to get picked up this late in the game. Does she want to pick a school just for softball? Where does she want to go and what can she afford? Out of state and private school can be very expensive to walk-on. If she is truly a solid catcher or she can run really fast she might get picked up as a walk on but beware the whole intent might be to be a bullpen catcher or to pinch run. I would have her pick her school that she wants to attend if softball is not an option and then go hard-core at that school. She can tell the coach she is applying and that is where she is going and she wants a shot to play ball and is willing to walk on and work her butt off. If there is a camp or clinic soon get her to it. It would really help if the coaches could see her and it will be tough now...
 
Apr 12, 2016
316
28
Minnesota
What is a super high act for athletes. 36 is perfect and DD has couple of athletes at her school who pushed it. Some were wow low. She was upper 20's and seemed to be in the minority, fewer above than below her.

A 21 puts you in the top 50% of all who took it and a 28 puts you in the top 10%. How good your score is depends on the school. For most schools a 26-28 is a very good score and you will get accepted. For more academically elite schools a 30 might not make you an average freshman. I know that academics can be a big hurdle for athletes and a lot of coaches don't want to have to worry about it so they want players who score well.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
We have a player on our 18U team that has matured late and would be a very solid D1 recruit but is getting a late start at that level (and as a team we've placed most of our girls in below-D1 the past few years anyway so that's an issue too). She's a SS/C.

We'd welcome any advice. Is trying to find a D1 late opening (likely with limited or no money) worthwhile or should she try to land at a Juco with a good D1 pipeline? We are in the midwest/Chicago area -- are there any Jucos that stand out locally (the ones we know don't really fit that critera)? If she needs to go out of the midwest, what's a good plan to get seen by Jucos unlikely to see her in midwest exposure this fall? Are top tier Jucos already full-up?

Any help appreciated...really want to help this girl out, she's a player and a good kid.

If she is D1 quality, and she is willing to put the work in, she will get a lot of offers. And more money than most. Lots of emails with a subject line like "Uncommitted 2017 Senior: Late developing D1 SS/C prospect" would be a great subject line. That WILL get some attention.

A uncommitted senior of quality helps a program THIS COMING SEASON.... No waiting 3 years or more. No hoping they keep developing. RIGHT NOW. Part of her recruiting should be watching teams she is interested in both in person and online and with stats to see who has a real lack of talent a her position. See who leaves these programs that might provide an opportunity or who gets injured.

Despite all the 'money is committed' nonsense recruiting services spout, every program cuts some scholarship players every season and for the right player will cut even further. Every program is paying for incoming juco transfers one way or another and they have to because just like an uncommitted senior, they can help NEXT SEASON.

A lot of our players sign as seniors to all levels of school. Many started recruiting as seniors - some because they developed late, some because they didn't decide they wanted to play college ball until they were seniors.

And BTW, don't just think D1 or JUCO - you said you have placed girls in D2 and D3 programs, and a D1 quality player at those schools can really name her price. And NAIA who have less restrictions on money - great place to play in may cases..
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
She can walk on and earn a scholarship if the funds are available. If money is an issue I would suggest going to a JUCO and playing a year or two, then transferring to a D1.

How are her grades? Academic money is always available for players with good grades and test scores. Coaches LOVE high academic achievers because it does not count against their scholarship total. Academic money can also be combined with athletic money, while financial aide often cannot.
 

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