What is the Covid college recruiting landscape like ?

[Unregistered]

I call BS. I have been through this three times. Players on teams, even tight-knit, usually won’t discuss offers and such on group chats because they don’t want their teammates to know who they’ve been talking to to sabotage their offer (this happens way more than you think - teammates contacting their coach to also get recruited after they learn so and so is on their radar), they don’t want to get caught mis representing the details of where they are in the process (like maybe they weren’t being actually recruited but has had some communication), and lastly.. players don’t want their recruiting activities known until their commitment is a done deal. This isn’t football or basketball team where this is more common. Most players, unless you are a jerk know recruiting is the most sensitive issue in this process. It’s out of respect for your teammates you don’t pop off.

Exactly.

[Unregistered]

Nobody’s doing anything recruiting wise ,the timeline has shifted 21’s are toast add returning seniors to that equation is a real mess.Time is on the side of 22s that have been in contact with coaches no tournaments or IDs is killer .NCAA ban on D1 and no other divisions only tries to level the field.

[Unregistered]

Nobody’s doing anything recruiting wise ,the timeline has shifted 21’s are toast add returning seniors to that equation is a real mess.Time is on the side of 22s that have been in contact with coaches no tournaments or IDs is killer .NCAA ban on D1 and no other divisions only tries to level the field.

disagree here. have a freshman daughter missing her first fall soccer season (playing high school). has friends who are juniors and seniors who stopped hearing in the winter. lot of real good talent still out there.

[Unregistered]

disagree here. have a freshman daughter missing her first fall soccer season (playing high school). has friends who are juniors and seniors who stopped hearing in the winter. lot of real good talent still out there.

Its not the lack of talent but lack of recruiting. Seniors are all but done. Coaches are making due with what they had recruited already, maybe have 1-2 5th years coming back. Early applications start coming due Nov 1. Juniors didn't get to showcase or do ID events last spring/summer. Top prospects would have been seen already and gotten phone calls, but mid to lower level players less so. They lost those crucial last few months. If and when restrictions life and there are events where they can be seen, then the rest of the juniors will start getting calls

[Unregistered]

As a college coach it is not just the 2021 that are going to be an issue but 22,23 and 24 depending on how many players will decided to playin the 4.5 or grad school year since you are able to do 4 years in 5 once your clock starts. Coaches will have conversations with current players that they will not play and give them the option to quit or not dress for home games or travel to away games. All recruiting classes are going to be smaller and less money available until 2025 unless coaches drop players currently on the roster in each class replacing year. Players will need to look at alternative optionals and even the top D3 programs are pretty much done with 2021. If you have an offer you should take it, if it is one of your top 5 school or ask the tough questions of the other schools. A lot of coaches are also asking for players to walk on instead of being officially recruited or apply on their own merit and keep in touch for when August 2021 comes around. Schools also don’t even know if they are going to have a 2021 season depending on where the country is with the coronavirus.

[Unregistered]

A friend of my kid's is considering doing a PG year just to try and get recruited for next year. At best they're an ok D3 player but very smart. Paying thousands to stay in school (when they don't need to bring up their GPA) and all their friends go to school next year? Makes absolutely no sense. Pick a great school and hope maybe you can get a walk on spot. It all sucks but time to make a new plan

[Unregistered]

There are 2022s committing or about to.

[Unregistered]

There are 2022s committing or about to.

Yes 22's that were already on coach radars will be fine. So will 22s that weren't (assuming showcases and ID events start in early 2021). Any 21s that get a spot are becoming very rare and money is nonexistent. It's mostly a few straggler D3s spots before ED/EA applications are due.

[Unregistered]

As a college coach it is not just the 2021 that are going to be an issue but 22,23 and 24 depending on how many players will decided to playin the 4.5 or grad school year since you are able to do 4 years in 5 once your clock starts. Coaches will have conversations with current players that they will not play and give them the option to quit or not dress for home games or travel to away games. All recruiting classes are going to be smaller and less money available until 2025 unless coaches drop players currently on the roster in each class replacing year. Players will need to look at alternative optionals and even the top D3 programs are pretty much done with 2021. If you have an offer you should take it, if it is one of your top 5 school or ask the tough questions of the other schools. A lot of coaches are also asking for players to walk on instead of being officially recruited or apply on their own merit and keep in touch for when August 2021 comes around. Schools also don’t even know if they are going to have a 2021 season depending on where the country is with the coronavirus.

Good insight.

Personally I am optimistic about a 2021 season. I think the world has made a lot of progress in vaccine and treatment options.

I was unaware the long term effect this will have on recruiting. But, I think 2022's will have it easier than the 2021 graduates. Not sure how much based on this post but 2021 is a disaster.

[Unregistered]

Good insight.

Personally I am optimistic about a 2021 season. I think the world has made a lot of progress in vaccine and treatment options.

I was unaware the long term effect this will have on recruiting. But, I think 2022's will have it easier than the 2021 graduates. Not sure how much based on this post but 2021 is a disaster.

22s won't be anywhere as bad, but their timetable will be very compressed. Whatever you do, stay healthy. There will be little room for downtime.

[Unregistered]

bumpity bump bump since another poster couldn't bother to scroll or use the search feature

[Unregistered]

For players taking GAP year wouldn’t fitness become an issue?

[Unregistered]

Does playing in a professional league impact their NCAA eligibility? If not, would roster spots be available to all of the seniors taking gap years?

Maybe and doubtful. First, USL/USL are not the same. Revs went to USL 2 as you can sign non-professional players (non-paid). These players can go on to play in college. USL does not allow amateur players.

There is not a senior on this planet that can get a USL team to play on. How many kids are in high school that can compete with post college, pro to semi pro level players. I don not care what you say or how good your kid is, he can NOT compete with a 25 year old who played 5 years of DI soccer....just not happening.

Current seniors will play with their club teams in the fall and summer while deferred freshman can play U23 in the summer, but are screwed for the rest of the year.

[Unregistered]

For players taking GAP year wouldn’t fitness become an issue?

This is a universal issue and coaches are aware of the problem...nothing they can do

[Unregistered]

Nope. The 21s are the relief valve sadly. Under recruiting the 21s will help normalize the process for the 22s. Coaches will react to stabilize the process after the lost recruiting year.

College Coach here, and the 21s aren't any more of a relief valve than the 22s, 23s and 24s. All those classes will be impacted. For example, we just had a rock star class of 20s come in, and if you were the coach four years from now, and were "picking teams" would you pick 4 or 5 experienced and veteran Seniors with 4 years under their belt for another year, or unproven 18 year old newcomers. The extra year significantly impacts our recruiting board for the next 3 years by roster spots AND money. I've read estimates there will be 25% to 50% less spots and money given out for the next several years as a result of gaining extra years for the next four years.

Don't let the increased 22 activity fool you....like always, the top players are being committed now. We have offers our to our top handful but due to projected budget paying for extra years, and less roster spots, we'll likely only bring in 4 players.