As explained, recruit initiated phone contact is permissible regardless of age or dead period. As for the mechanics of kids being recruited at 16u and below, these players have stand out tools already plus a lot of projection left. They typically already shine regionally if not nationally with well known travel teams.
The big clubs, both regional and national, are in regular contact with the college coaches. It’s in both the college coach’s and the travel club’s best interest to network regularly to discuss the progress of kids who are already committed as well as what talent the club might have in the pipeline coming up.
Travel coach tells college coach about the 14U stud that would love to attend Big State U some day. College coach tells travel coach to have the stud call his cell at 5:30 on Tuesday. They chat, relationship develops with regular check ins. 14U stud is also being courted by 2 or 3 other programs and things can move quick because Big State U doesn’t want their rival to commit him first.
The cautionary tale is the once 14U stud who stopped growing or stopped working or got hurt and is now 17U average player and he gets a very unpleasant phone call before signing day......