At what age do different levels (D1-2-3, NAIA) truly start recruiting?

[TheRogue]

I know it's earlier and earlier all the time....we saw several large program prominent D1 head coaches at 14A ASA Nationals in Midland this year.

Are these coaches looking for the complete upcoming superstar trying to get them wrapped up before anyone else? What about the lower divisions? What ages are they truly focusing on?

TR

 

[Bouldersdad]

Second year 16 is when it starts to get serious for the majority of kids. You are either a flame thrower or a 300 ft hitter at 14 to get a ton of interest. Some Verbal at 16 but those are rare. 14,s even more so. Most kids commit the fall of their senior season. As fall ball is usually college recruiting s biggest time.


Tim

 

[livingontheroad]

As a rough rule, the bigger the school and better the program, the sooner they start. Top 30 class schools are looking at 9th graders and even trying to woo some, but the main thrust is still really Junior year. Smaller schools and lower level programs will recruit last, picking up players that didnt go to better programs. Some, wont even have enough to field a team until after walk-on tryouts.

Large schools with very competitive programs have much more money to spend, several assistant coaches and administrative help to aid with the recruiting effort, etc. The smaller schools may have virtually no money, maybe 1 assistant. They cannot afford to waste time and resources targetting girls that may be out of their reach. They may take more of an approach of looking at girls that come to their camps, that shows real interest if you will spend money to be seen. Or if you relentlessly contact the coach, that shows interest too.

 

[Coach-n-Dad]

The very top programs are looking at freshmen and even a little younger but very very very few will verbal at those ages. Most colleges are looking at Juniors in their fall season, most to narrow down who to watch the following summer/fall, and a couple will start to make offers then to REAL STUDS.

The VAST MAJORITY of deals are made in the fall of their senior year in HS.

 

[livingontheroad]

Yep, they make their short lists the sophmore summer, junior fall and winter with a few candidates to cover each need. If you arent on the list, their winter camps maybe the last chance to get on it. They have to start narrowing things down during junior summer.

The reality for better programs, is if you arent on the list by a certain point, you arent getting on it unless you are really a standout. They have to keep moving forward, cant start going backwards and revisiting. The less competitive the program, the later that is .

 

[jacketsfan]

I hope this is allowed, Verbal Commitments/Signees by Team - but this link will give you an idea of what schools are doing.

It's not totally up to date, but if you look through the thread, you see plenty of 2013 adn 2014's announcing.

Personally, I think it'd be hard to be a sure thing at 14, but there is pressure to start earlier and earlier.