Saturday, 12 Oct 2024

What Does COVID-19 Mean for Recruiting?

As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 situation, it’s evident that various aspects of our lives are being affected, including college recruiting. The NCAA has made several announcements that directly impact current college athletes and recruits, raising questions about the future of the recruiting process.

How Will This Impact Athletic Scholarships?

One of the immediate concerns is the fate of athletes who have already signed a scholarship. With the NCAA granting seniors an extra year of eligibility, coaches who had planned on losing their seniors may have to reconsider scholarship allocations. The NCAA is aware of this concern and has stated that guidance will be provided in the future.

High School Class of 2020

For many Division I and Division II programs, recruiting for the class of 2020 was already wrapping up. However, with the NCAA’s eligibility relief plan, the recruiting landscape has changed. Coaches who expected to lose their seniors now face the possibility of having those players on their team next year. High school seniors still searching for recruitment opportunities may need to broaden their search to include more schools and different division levels. It’s crucial for recruits to enhance their digital presence and actively reach out to coaches to discuss roster availability.

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High School Class of 2021

Recruiting efforts for the class of 2021 are currently underway. Although official and unofficial visits, as well as recruiting tournaments and showcases, have been postponed or canceled, college coaches are actively seeking recruits online. While in-person meetings may not be possible, coaches are available via phone calls, emails, texts, and direct messages. Student-athletes can maintain momentum in their recruitment journeys by staying proactive and maintaining a strong digital presence.

High School Class of 2022 & 2023

The postponement or cancellation of tournaments, showcases, and camps has a significant impact on the classes of 2022 and 2023. For most sports, college coaches can only contact recruits after June 15 of their sophomore year. However, due to the current situation, underclassmen now have the opportunity to reach out to coaches via phone, email, and social messaging. It’s crucial for underclassmen to focus on creating a comprehensive recruiting profile, including highlight videos, and proactively reaching out to college coaches. Video content will play a critical role in the recruiting process during this season.

College Spring Sports

The NCAA’s eligibility relief has introduced uncertainties around how many athletes will take advantage of the additional year of eligibility. Consequently, coaches’ recruiting needs for the 2021 class are likely to change. The NCAA will address scholarship money, roster spots, and other challenges teams may face due to the eligibility relief, giving us a better understanding of its true impact.

College Fall Sports

For student-athletes pursuing roster spots on fall sports teams, the recruiting process remains largely unchanged. However, the NCAA’s new “dead period” prohibits in-person recruiting until at least September 30th. Recruits can still communicate with coaches via phone, email, text, and social media.

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For more information about recruiting during this challenging time, visit NCSAsports.org.