college recruiting

I have posted this before but thought it was a good time of year to post again and especially for some of the new folks.

College recruiting does not have to be so difficult to understand. If you understand it is a business approach to the college game, it won't be so difficult.

As stated before some schools do a very good job at recruiting, some don't. I think this applies to all types of schools, all sizes and in all conferences.

Most recruiters go about their jobs honestly and with all good intentions. They recruit on needs of their program. A school that loses a lot of players to the draft recruits differently than one that doesn't. A recruiter with a winning program needs to work just as hard if not harder than everyone else, because his program has higher expectations in their athletic programs. Some recruiters sit back and let the players come to them (by way of their camp programs and local talent). I do not feel comfortable with this philosophy, lots of times it creates a surplus, that means cuts down the line.

I have heard of some coaches actually turning down some of the best players because they know they would not be needed right away, and they could have a chance to make an impact at another program asap. Some may feel slighted at this suggestion when coach tells them, but should be looked upon as an honest approach to recruiting. Some parents may say, well then why did he go after son in the first place when the rcruiting process began, but honestly some coaches need to go through a season with their current recruits and staff to see where they need to improve upon thier program. No one should take that personally. This also eliminates high transfer out rates and that's why I like the idea of penalizing programs that allow revolving doors.
I know some coaches will recruit the best knowing some will sit, because they do not want them to play anywhere else. That's dishonesty in recruiting, those that give all the other honest guys a bad rap. If a recruiter has done his job, for example, found an excellent choice as a second baseman who has played well at his position and had success, will not look for another second baseman to compete for the job the following season, but for one who will most likely be ready in a few years to replace that second baseman. I would tend to question a program that feels a need to have all the best second baseman in their state on their team at one given time. There is going to be a lot of unhappy second baseman in that program. Unhappy = high transfer rate.

Recruits are placed in three categories, A,B,C. The A player is usually the one who they target with hopes he will commit. The A recruit is usually one of those "top ranked" players. The A player may also be a solid player, not ranked as high as others, with good grades who can make an impact immediately. Or the A player may be a player who may not play much his first year, needs development, but usually has more talent needed for that program than the B or C player. The A player may be the best HS player in the country, most likely never set foot on campus, but gives the program credibility for recruiting.

B and C players are players that are being recruited, and most likely given offers if the A player committs to another program. They may not be what you perceive as a good enough player for that program, but the coach sees lots of potential and B and C player works into his budget. He is given a smaller offer than A and given a chance to work hard and possibly become a starter someday. Or told in advance that while he may never see an actual start of a game, he can make an impact as a sub or a reliever. Or the coach just has other plans for him down the road. I beleive most transfers we see at one time where the B or C player. No program can have or afford all A recruits and most programs are mostly made up of B and C players.

What I found interesting is that my son was an A recruit at some schools and most likely a B recruit at other schools. While some think he could have gone to play wherever he wanted, that basically was not true. He had choices which made it easier, but he certainly was never the first choice for many coaches.

The important part is that the player and parent try to understand where son falls as an A,B or C recruit. That's the hard part. I think most parents and players who take an honest approach to the ABC's of recruiting are the ones who find the best fit in the end. It helps for the player to set goals that are realistic. If a player knows he is the A recruit for a smaller program and possibly a C recruit for a larger program, he needs to understand the implications. I know that some will argue that point, that they have no problem with their son going into a larger program and working tail off for a start, but most likely the day he arrives the coach who has recruited him knows how and when he will be played for the first year or two anyway.