It usually goes unnoticed, but college coaches don’t say five key things to recruits. In attempting to attract the best available prospects, coaches put on the best face possible. But that’s not news to anybody. It is a given that coaches step up their game when communicating with high school prospects and during campus visits, … Read more
Everybody knows college coaches want to see a prospective student-athletes skills video before they start recruiting them. Many times, coaches won’t even watch an athlete play until they’ve seen some skills video. Mostly so they don’t waste their time. College coaches across all divisions have very little time to recruit and even less time to … Read more
We cannot overemphasize the impact of grades on the college recruiting process. Athletic ability is a coach’s prime target, but without the grades to support and complement an athlete’s resume, a prospect will be passed over. That is the reason prospects, and their parents must understand the importance of focusing on core course grades throughout … Read more
Parents of high school athletes too frequently don’t know they need recruiting help. The simple reason? They misinterpret coaches. This is a key error and can lead to embarrassment and lost dreams for the entire family. It can be avoided if parents learn how college recruiting really works. The signs for when families need recruiting … Read more
Unofficial visits to college campuses are one of the most important, helpful tasks prospects can do during high school. These key outings give prospects something they cannot glean from online virtual tours, admissions tour guides or chest-pounding alumni – an authentic, personal feel for a college campus. “Feel” tests Unofficial visits are baseline discovery missions, … Read more
College athletics. Being in recruiting for over three decades has taught NSR scouts an essential truth. There is a place for every high school student-athlete wanting to play college athletics. We have seen it over and over again in our 37 years of working with prospects and college coaches. Colleges recruit more than the All-Staters. They … Read more
NCAA D-I men’s basketball has expanded a key recruiting rule. Effective August 1 of this year, more people will be included in the group of individuals connected to NCAA D-I men’s basketball prospects. Previously, only parents, guardians, coaches and family members were considered within that circle. The updated rule, however, throws a net over anyone perceived … Read more
College freshman athletes face the daunting task of preparing for the leap from high school to the next level. It is neither a simple nor easy jump. Unquestionably there are high school prospects that have been pushed hard by their prep and club coaches. But in truth the rigors they survived then cannot measure up … Read more
Bear Bryant and Dean Smith are undeniably two of college sports greatest coaches. Each is legendary. Yet, within a few years of one another, they had hit a wall with their programs. That wall? Segregation. Changes were needed and they knew it. The ensuing decisions they made would make history, forever altering the landscape of Southern … Read more
A friend asked me, “What is today’s recruiting enemy #1?” The answer is simple and easy to identify. And it’s maddening, too. As a college scout for 13-plus years, I have watched families kill so much time. So my friend, what is recruiting enemy #1? It is without question wasted time. Parents vs. the Problem … Read more
