Chris Doelle introduces the podcast, The Scholarship Hustle: College Recruiting Exposed.
He states that this first episode will discuss the reality behind college recruiting, something every athlete and parent needs to understand.
The host for this episode is Coach Troy Esprit, joined by certified scout and insider Coach Laubach.
The Myth of Being “Found”: Coach Esprit emphasizes that the days when coaches would simply find talented players are over. Recruiting is now more strategy-based and a business. Coach Laubach echoes this, stating that thousands of kids post their highlights online, and coaches lack the time to see everyone.
The Importance of Relationships and Visibility: Coach Laubach stresses that success in recruiting today hinges on relationships, visibility, and who can vouch for an athlete behind the scenes. Coaches often talk to others before contacting the athlete directly.
Debunking Common Recruiting Myths: Coach Laubach addresses several common misconceptions:
“If I’m good enough, they’ll find me.”
“My highlight film will impress them.”
“My stats will speak for themselves.”
How Coaches Prioritize Recruits: Coach Laubach explains the order in which coaches typically prioritize potential recruits:
* Players they see in person, as they trust their own eyes.
* Referrals from other coaches.
* Recommendations from trusted scouts like us.
* Information from personal connections (e.g., friends).
* Emails from student-athletes (which need to be perfect and strategic).
The Importance of Starting Early: Athletes should begin building relationships with coaches as freshmen and sophomores, not waiting until their junior or senior years. Time flies by, and early relationships are crucial.
What Coaches Won’t Tell You: Coach Esprit discusses hidden aspects of recruiting:
Coaches don’t respond to every DM because they often research the athlete’s social media and character beforehand.
An athlete’s attitude, grades, and coachability are crucial factors that coaches evaluate. Sometimes coaches hear things about these aspects and never give the athlete a real shot.
The Role of Backchannel Conversations and Scouts: Coaches trust the opinions of other coaches and scouts because these individuals have a reputation to uphold by recommending suitable student-athletes. Exposure alone is not enough; the right people need to be talking about you. Coach Laubach mentions that college coaches often say they don’t care how good a kid is until they know who he is.
Character and Coachability: Coach Laubach emphasizes that coaches want to know who a player is beyond their athletic abilities, as they will be living with them for four years. Factors like social media presence, grades, and reactions to adversity are all considered. He also highlights the importance of observing players during infield/outfield practice to assess their hustle, attitude, and how they encourage their teammates. Coaches also pay attention to body language on videos to assess coachability.
The Parent’s Role: Parents should be supportive but allow the athlete to have their own voice. Coaches want to interact with mature players, not parents running the show. Parents’ behavior at games is also noted by coaches, and negative behavior can negatively impact a recruit’s chances.
Recruiting as a Business: Coach Troy Esprit reiterates that college recruiting is a business, and without a clear strategy, athletes can get left behind.
Gem Drops
Start building relationships with coaches by your freshman and sophomore year. Don’t wait.
Keep communication short, professional, and always personalize it. Coaches receive numerous emails and DMs.
Get evaluated early and often. Use feedback from showcases and camps to improve.
Ask yourself: Who’s speaking your name when you’re not in the room? Leave a positive impression.
Links Mentioned:
To book Coach Esprit for events: coachesprite.com
For internship opportunities in sports media with Lone Star Gridiron: lonestargridiron.com (specifically the internship link)
To get your athlete on the college prospect report for scholarship evaluation: collegeprospectreport.com/questionnaire
Closing Thoughts:
Recruiting is more than just talent; it involves timing, trust, and having a knowledgeable team supporting the athlete.
Taking action now is crucial; waiting can hinder your recruiting dreams.
Getting recruited is not accidental; it happens through strategy. Play the game behind the game and play it smart.