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Month: September 2025

NIL for High Schoolers: The Trap That Could End Your Recruiting Before It Starts

September 26, 2025September 26, 2025 by NSR Staff
NIL for High Schoolers: The Trap That Could End Your Recruiting Before It Starts

Last year, a promising high school athlete signed what looked like a harmless NIL deal. A local business offered free gear in exchange for a few social media posts. What the family didn’t realize was that the posts included photos of the athlete in school gear, something their state association prohibited. Within weeks, the athlete … Read more

Junior College Baseball vs. High School: Why Coaches Lean on JUCO Athletes

September 25, 2025 by NSR Staff
Junior College Baseball vs. High School: Why Coaches Lean on JUCO Athletes

The recruiting process for college baseball is more competitive now than ever before. High school athletes are no longer just competing against each other for roster spots—they’re competing against athletes who already have college experience. At the four-year university level, that difference matters. Win Now Culture College coaches are judged on wins and losses. Their … Read more

September 1st Came and Went – What Does It Mean for 2027 Athletes?

September 24, 2025September 24, 2025 by NSR Staff
September 1st Came and Went – What Does It Mean for 2027 Athletes?

Every September 1st, high school softball juniors hold their breath. It’s the official Division I contact date, and many believe it’s the kickoff to their recruiting journey. But here’s the truth most don’t realize: for some athletes, September 1st comes near the finish line—and for others, it doesn’t matter at all. By the time September … Read more

Thinking of Entering The Portal? Success Rate (or lack thereof)

September 23, 2025September 23, 2025 by NSR Staff
Thinking of Entering The Portal? Success Rate (or lack thereof)

The NCAA transfer portal is an alluring opportunity for college athletes seeking a fresh start, more playing time, or a chance at a higher level of competition. While the portal is often viewed as high-risk, high-reward, the reality is that many athletes experience high risk and no reward. Many athletes who enter the portal do … Read more

The Recruiting Mistake You Can’t Afford to Make

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025 by NSR Staff
The Recruiting Mistake You Can’t Afford to Make

Most parents think the biggest risk in recruiting is starting too late or picking the wrong events. But the truth is, the danger is much bigger than that. The real risk is what happens if your athlete gets injured before they’ve even started the recruiting process. Injuries Don’t Wait for the “Right Time” Every athlete … Read more

High School Athletes: Initiating Contact with College Coaches

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 by NSR Staff
High School Athletes: Initiating Contact with College Coaches

Every high school athlete is told to reach out to college coaches. And most of them do. That’s why coaches are flooded with emails every single week. The sheer volume is overwhelming. Hundreds of athletes are introducing themselves, sharing highlights, and asking to be considered. Why Your Email Doesn’t Stand Out The truth is, your … Read more

Is DII Creating a “Transfer Heaven” at the Expense of High School Recruits?

September 16, 2025September 16, 2025 by NSR Staff
Is DII Creating a "Transfer Heaven" at the Expense of High School Recruits? By NSR Staff The NCAA transfer portal has fundamentally changed college athletics at every level. It has now become a more active and fluid marketplace than ever before. This creates a challenging environment for high school recruits, and not just at the Division I level, Division II is becoming a "transfer heaven" for experienced college players. This dynamic, coupled with a proposed new DII 5th year of eligibility, is squeezing high school athletes out of the recruiting process and making it harder than ever to secure a spot on a DII roster. Why DII is a "Transfer Heaven" Several factors are contributing to DII's popularity as a transfer destination. For an athlete in the portal, DII offers a compelling combination of opportunities that are hard to find elsewhere. A Destination for Experienced Players: With so many Division I athletes jumping in the transfer portal, it has become flooded with experienced talent. This has made DII a top landing spot for players seeking playing time and a fresh start. This influx of experienced players creates a highly competitive recruiting market for DII coaches, who have more options than ever. The Proposed 5th Year Rule: The Division II Management Council is considering a new rule that would allow athletes to compete for a fifth season. If passed, this would further increase the number of experienced college players in the system, making DII rosters even more competitive. This adds another layer of pressure on high school recruits. Proven Talent: DII coaches can recruit players who have already competed and have a track record of success at the college level. This significantly reduces the risk of recruiting an unproven high school player. A transfer comes with college-level game film, verified stats, and a demonstrated ability to perform under pressure. This allows coaches to fill immediate team needs with a known commodity, which is a major advantage for the high school athlete. How This Hurts High School Recruits This new "transfer heaven" comes at a cost to high school athletes who are trying to get noticed. The competition for DII roster spots has never been more intense. Shrinking Freshmen Spots: With coaches prioritizing experienced transfers and the potential for a fifth year for current players, fewer roster spots and scholarships are being allocated to high school recruits. A coach would rather sign a proven 20-year-old from the portal than a raw 18-year-old who may need time to develop. Increased Competition: High school athletes are now competing against a larger and more experienced pool of players. They are not just trying to beat out their high school peers, but also transfers from D-I and other D-II programs. Pressure to Be "Game Ready": The luxury of a redshirt year or a year of development has diminished. Coaches want players who can make an immediate impact. This places immense pressure on high school athletes to be physically and mentally prepared for college-level competition from day one. How High School Athletes Can Navigate This New Landscape In this new era of DII recruiting, a strategic approach is essential. High school athletes must be proactive and have a plan to get noticed. Get Evaluated : The first step in the recruiting process is a proper evaluation. You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and current skill level—along with your size, speed, and academics—in order to target the right schools, at the right level, at the right time. Early and Consistent Proactive Outreach: Waiting for coaches to find you is no longer a viable strategy. You must actively and consistently promote yourself to DII coaches, highlighting your potential, academic achievements, and character. Create a Professional Digital Profile: Your online presence is your resume. Having a well-organized recruiting profile with high-quality highlight videos, academic information, and a clear communication history is crucial for making a strong first impression on a busy coach. Cast a Wide Net: Don't limit yourself to DII schools. The transfer portal and these new recruiting dynamics are affecting every division. Being open to all levels of competition will significantly increase your chances of finding the right athletic and academic fit. The transfer portal has turned Division II into a “transfer heaven,” and the proposed fifth-year rule will only make competition even tougher. That’s why having an NSR scout in your corner is more important than ever. With our guidance, high school athletes can confidently navigate today’s recruiting landscape and find the right college fit—both athletically and academically. If you have questions about this or any other recruiting changes, connect with a scout at nsr-inc.com/how-to-get-recruited. We’ll be glad to evaluate you and get you started the right way.

The NCAA transfer portal has fundamentally changed college athletics at every level. It has now become a more active and fluid marketplace than ever before. This creates a challenging environment for high school recruits, and not just at the Division I level, Division II is becoming a “transfer heaven” for experienced college players. This dynamic, … Read more

How Important Are Gameday Invites in Recruiting?

September 10, 2025September 10, 2025 by NSR Staff
How Important Are Gameday Invites in Recruiting?

Every fall, athletes and their families get excited when a gameday invite shows up in their inbox. The idea of walking on campus, touring facilities, and experiencing the energy of a college football Saturday is thrilling. But here’s the truth: not every gameday invite means you’re a serious recruit. Understanding the difference is key to … Read more

What Makes NSR Different? Real Scouts. Real Relationships. Real Results.

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 by NSR Staff
What Makes NSR Different? Real Scouts. Real Relationships. Real Results.

In today’s world of online recruiting platforms, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of databases, mass emails, and empty promises. With so many services offering flashy websites and “guaranteed exposure,” it’s hard for families to know what actually works. At National Scouting Report, we do things differently, because we’re not just a website. … Read more

Fake Recruiting vs. Real Recruiting: Do You Know the Difference?

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 by NSR Staff
Fake Recruiting vs. Real Recruiting: Do You Know the Difference?

If your child dreams of competing at the next level, knowing the difference between Fake Recruiting and Real Recruiting can make or break their chances. Unless you work inside the college recruiting world every day, spotting the difference isn’t easy. But here’s the reality—Fake Recruiting drains families of years, energy, and thousands of dollars, often … Read more

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