How to tell if a D3 is really interested?

We're going through the same thing and we've found that if they  want to see academic info, and/or are trying to get your son to visit, then they're serious.  But your kid is not the only kid they're serious with. This does not mean, however, that he has to rush into a commitment if it's not the right fit.  The "regroup" guys could go either way.

Just to let you know how we're handling stuff like this:  have son visit the college if its feasible, make sure the coach is there, meet with the coach, and ask the question directly, usually at the end of the visit: How do you see me fitting in with your program.  How many other guys are you looking for in my class?  I can't guarantee this is true, but if you offer to visit, and they "are away at a meeting" and don't offer another time for a visit, then their interest isn't at the level your son would want it at.

We went through this with our 2016 RHP last year and attended HF on LI as well.  The schools that have invited him for an overnight visit are ones where you're going to get the "offer" of apply ED1 and coach helps through admissions and "guarantees" spring roster spot.   What we found (and what we heard from a few other players on HS team that went D3 academic) was that on that visit the parents and player sit down with the coaching staff and they talk about their interest level, program, needs, player fit, school, etc and try to sell you on the school and the program.  If you have offers for visits, those schools are very interested.  They don't have you visit unless they are interested at this stage because now the D3s start finalizing their recruiting classes as the D1s on the East Coast wind down.  

The ones that are saying they wanted to get an academic read are probably also very interested - they most likely just have a different order of what they do in the recruiting process.  For example - my 2016 visited his top choice D3 school after being invited post HF.  They did not complete their academic pre-read on him until after we had visited and everyone had expressed interest (them in him and us in the school).  Good friends of ours went through process with D3 school in CT that completed all the pre-read details prior to visit.  When he visited (in Oct) they talked about interest and they completed the "deal" right there when he was on campus.  

I would also not discount the interest from the schools that said they needed to get back to campus and sort things out.  We found that a slew of invites came 2 weeks post HF - all in a row several days one week while we were away on vacation.  Almost like they all went back home after being on Long Island for a few weeks, spent a week sorting things out and then started their outreach the following week.  

Congrats on the success at HF.  Good luck!

every school does things differently. some of the activity my son has had in the last 2 week or so below. if they want you to visit, talk about admissions and are looking for overnight they are probably pretty interested.

- one (lower D1) had some interest was not on the top of the list, faded away. done.

- another (lower D1) came to see him watched him play once, contacted him to visit, just faded away.

- a  3rd (D3) called out of nowhere, talked for 20 minutes, asked him to visit, had seen him play 4 times but we had never spoken to them, gave him a full tour and offer that day...

- 4th (D3) has 3 different coaches come see him, repeated calls and or text messages. have said they would like to see him on campus soon but didn't schedule a date.

-5th (D2) have had one informal visit during the spring season, seen him play several times, occasional but not often contact over summer. Texted him last night, they will see him this weekend and wanted to see if he could come to campus next week.

-6th (D3) have told him they want him, already did visit, please let them know if he can do an overnight in September and asked what they can do to help him decide...

This is all very interesting - thanks for sharing.  Would love to read more stories.

This answer is going to seem trite, so I apologize in advance. 

But you will know. Coaches are not shy when they want your player. It is pretty clear from there actions that they are interested. 

When my son went through this process, it was clear the coaches that really wanted him at the D3 level. the schools at the D1 and D2 level made it pretty clear he was the third or fourth option. They offered walk on opportunities pretty late in the process. 

My son just know from conversation he had with the coaches and recruiting coordinators. He could tell by the way they talked to him. When the financial packages came out, some coaches were more helpful than others navigating that. Who to talk to, What we could do to improve the situation. (notice the what we could do, not how the coach could get him more money. This is D3.) 

As you get further along, your athlete will just know. It is still pretty early for the D# recruiting time line. So be patient, see who stays in touch and who drops off. Take as many colleges as you are interested in up on any visits that they offer. Be patient, and stay in touch. 

A few weeks ago 2017 son and I were walking toward the car after a game and he got out his phone and checked his messages. After listening to voicemail he said, "That was Coach _______ .  'Just checking in to see how you're doing, Patrick.'  He's like my girlfriend."

That's how you know.

You can tell when somebody really wants you, at any level, in any walk of life.  They make it clear

Even with my 8th grader getting "recruited" by 14U teams for next year.   One team said he could be a nice part of their depth and called once a week.  Another team said they liked him as a top of the order guy and called twice a month.   The 3rd team was calling me and emailing me practically every other day, said he'd be their starting 2B and could get reps at Short.  At one point the guy even apologized for calling so often but said "just wanted you to know how much we like your kid."

I realize 14U Travel is small-time compared to college, but you know.

You can tell that a D3 wants you -- really wants you -- when you earn a prominent place on the depth chart.   Until then, everything else is just a flirtation. 

If they contact you after getting the grades and test scores they are interested. You can then ask about the level of such interest by inquiring where your son will be ranked on the list they submit to Admissions. If they do not tell you, it is reasonable to question how high up the list your son is. Invitations to visit overnight are another obvious indication of interest, but not of where you sit on the coaches list. Likelihood of admission is a factor the websites and books can help with, but you can also ask the coach how his listed players have done over the years.

SluggerDad posted:

You can tell that a D3 wants you -- really wants you -- when you earn a prominent place on the depth chart.   Until then, everything else is just a flirtation. 

Players must realize,  a coach may love you before you get to campus. But once you get there you need to compete. This is especially cut throat at the college level. 

One of the last discussions coach had with my son before he committed went like this.

"You need to understand, it is my job to be your friend, and get you to like the school and want to come here. But understand once you get to campus, I will be hard on you. I have to win and the best players play."

This helped sell my son on the program. He wanted to be part of a program that he had to compete. 

So a coach may love you before you get to campus. But in the fall they will see how you stack up. Good thing for my sons program, many players gotba chance during early spring to earn a spot. It was a very short window and you have to produce. But it is a shot.

So remember no matter how much love they show you, do your homework.  Can you compete at that schools level? Can you handle the academics? If possible see some games. Visit the campus. 

You want to gonto a school that shows the love but you must also love the school. You will be matriculating there for four years. 

As COACH_MAY has said many times:  "you'll know when a coach really wants you". 

For many D3 programs it is still early and they have not been showing the love yet. Many coaches are just getting back to campus and will start reaching out. D3 does some the rising senior summer, But most actual contact does not start until about now and later in August and early September. 

My son started getting emails directly from the HC. An invite to do a one on one campus tour confirmed that he was being actively recruited by this HC.   

Old School - 

When you said "- a  3rd (D3) called out of nowhere, talked for 20 minutes, asked him to visit, had seen him play 4 times but we had never spoken to them, gave him a full tour and offer that day..." What exactly did you mean "offer" since it was a D3 school.

Reason for asking is my 2017 had a nice summer playing baseball after not playing much for his HS team (7 senior starters - all except pitcher and RF, 4 since freshman year).  He also plays football and his never had an off season he could fully dedicate to baseball as he can this winter.

He now realizes he can play baseball well and based on the feedback from his club coaches and a couple camps he attended he should be able to compete at the D3 level.

Just want to know what a D3 offer involves.

That can vary.  One D3 coach told my son I'm supporting you through admissions and unless you get arrested or flunk a course senior year you are in.  My son is a good but not great student and the school has an admit rate under 10% so his chance of getting in on his own would be roughly 0%.