@smokeminside posted:I think if a kid is serious about the Ivies, for example, he HAS to get on their radar by summer/early fall of Jr. year. Best for the intro if you can also get help from a respected coach who has a personal connection with the coach at whatever school you're looking at.
Elite D3's can wait til the showcases/camps between jr and sr. year. I know a kid who got tipped for Bowdoin after one Headfirst showcase in August before Sr. Year. I think that's rare but obviously it could work.
Endorse 100%. My son got on his school's radar in the summer before his junior season. Committed by Thanksgiving. As Smoke notes, the connection is really important. In our case, our HS coach had been in our shoes! His son nearly committed to the school in question before choosing a much larger program at the 11th hour. The two coaches stayed friendly and that was an enormous help to my son.