Some parents are getting a lot of flak regarding them exposing their young student-athletes to the recruiting process when they are just in youth sports, prior to middle school.  Actually, it is a great time to start getting into the process!  Now, let’s be clear, we’re not talking about forcing your kids into every sports boot camp and pushing to be an early commit by the time they are in the 5th grade.  THAT is a bit much….. It is essential for both the student-athlete and the parents to start getting into what the recruiting process is all about, what it requires, the process itself and the familiarity of the terms and regulations that govern the process.  There is a lot to know and understand, but it can be both informative and fun for all if started early, when there is no pressure.

For the young athletes, it gives them a chance to start getting familiar with the sports recruiting environment in a positive light.  Many can enjoy making their profiles, sending them to college coaches (and even to some high school coaches) in order to start getting coaches to notice them and start relationships.  The coaches will very often have them put on their team’s mailing list and send them media guides and summer camp / event schedules.  Again, it is a very healthy way to introduce a young athlete into this environment.  There are many athletes that will go on to their high school careers already knowing some college coaches that they have kept in touch with and kept up-to-date all through their youth seasons and eventually will go on to play for in their college careers.