With the rise in college athletes transferring schools to use their last/extra year of eligibility, high school athletes are having to compete not only with other recruits for college roster spots, but with transfers as well. The option to add experienced transfer athletes to the roster is appealing to many coaches because there is less of an adjustment compared to high school recruits experiencing college for the first time.
In addition to transfers, high school athletes also have to compete against 5th year athletes who are staying at their current school for their COVID year. The addition of the extra year has been a blessing to college athletes who lost a season to COVID, but it puts pressure on high school athletes to stand out more than ever before. So, there are some notes that high school athletes should remember when going through the recruiting process.
Related: How COVID Has Affected the Transfer Portal
Control What You Can Control
The most important thing to remember while going through the recruiting process is to control what you can control. Although a cliche, it's important to constantly remind yourself that if you are doing all that you can, there is simply nothing else you can do. This means be in great shape, be technically exceptional in your sport, email coaches, etc. Get on their radar early and show them why they need you on their team. Doing all of this sets you up to have the most success. Don't allow outside factors to control your mindset or misdirect your focus.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities and Campus Visits
Stay True to What You Want in a Program
The recruiting process has the potential to be extremely stressful. With the influx of people having extra year options, it's important to still be patient in your college search and to stick to your wants and needs in a school/program. Don't impulse commit because you're worried your options are slim. Treat the process as you would without this surplus of players. Committing too quickly without thoroughly doing your research can lead to a decision based on wanting the process to be over versus finding the right fit for you academically and athletically.
Related: 40 Questions to Ask Yourself When Deciding Where to Play College Soccer
Coaches Need Freshmen
The next thing to remember is that coaches need freshmen in order to grow their program for the future. Yes, freshmen have less experience, but this also means they have more potential to develop over the next four or five years under a college coach. A fair amount of the transfers will likely have only a year or two remaining in their eligibility, so they are a short term solution and not always a great investment. As a freshman, a coach has the ability to instill their program values, playing style, etc. on you, which helps the program long term. So, remember the role you want to have on a team, look at teams with a lot of last-year athletes, and don't let the thought of transfers scare you. Only let it motivate you to work harder.
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* Originally published on January 28, 2022, by Andrea Leitner