<p>My senior son is going the football recruiting route and hoping for IVY or NESCAC playing. But at what point in time do we give up? He is getting lots of requests for film and some personal texts/e-mails but no one offering him a spot yet. He updates his highlight film after each game this season. His team is currently undefeated. He is a linebacker. Any advice? </p>
<p>He needs to get on the phone (text, email) and follow up. If they are asking for film, he should call and ask if they like what they see. It’s time to sell himself.</p>
<p>I’m sure you probably realize it, but the Ivy League is Division I.</p>
<p>I will be a bit of a contrarian to the general advice on this board and say that it is not too late yet. Yes, there are offers and commitments in the Ivy League. Likely letters will begin to go out this month. I assume there are offers and commitments in the NESCAC as well. But there is still active recruiting going on in both conferences. I know for a fact that Ivys recruit into December and January. I have been told the same is true in the NESCAC by coaches in that conference. </p>
<p>If your son is exchanging personal e mails with coaches at this point in the process, I would say he is still being evaluated. Otherwise, why take the time to correspond with him at this stage? Another thing I would suggest is to have your son keep track of his view count on Hudl (assuming that is what he is using to send around tape). If the view counts keep going up, then someone is watching the clips. There is no reason to watch the clips unless the coach is interested. Trust me, they have enough tape to watch without looking for more.</p>
<p>Thanks! I am feeling better hearing this. He told me tonight that at least two coaches are texting him once a week, one even today. They have both told him that he should come visit. What constitutes an “official visit”? Do D3 schools do OVs? My son uses Hudl and GoBigRecruiting. We continue to get requests via GoBigRecruiting - at least a few each day. This is such a roller coaster ride! </p>
<p>Very rarely does a D3 school do official visits due to their recruiting budgets. S got offered an OV at a LAC, but was told that the visit covers housing, food and game ticket. Airfare would be on us. This was the first of its kind for S, as most schools only offered invite to recruit days that covered a game ticket.</p>
<p>NYMomofAli,</p>
<p>It’s certainly not too late - most of the D3 coaches don’t get focused on non-impact players until their season is over which is the next week or so.</p>
<p>The Ivies most definitely recruit through January and the D3s even later.</p>
<p>My understanding is the D3s don’t offer fully paid OVs (I forget, the reason, it’s either budgetary or there is an outright prohibition), but will host recruits overnight in dorms with players and provide meals, sometimes after their season ends. Some schools (e.g., Middlebury) offer visits but the recruit can’t stay overnight on campus.</p>
<p>I assume you’re focusing on the Ivies and NESCACs because of the academics?</p>
<p>Understand that there is quite a bit of a gap - in terms of commitment to football and even level of play - between the Ivies, which are D!-AA, and the NESCACs which are D3.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for D1-AA level football, don’t forget the Patriot League schools like Georgetown, Lehigh and Colgate.</p>
<p>And if you’re looking for high academic D3 schools, don’t forget to include some non-NESCACs like Johns Hopkins, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Chicago, WashU.</p>
<p>Hudl is a great way to compose and share tape, GoBigRecruiting is, IMHO, not helpful.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>I would advise your son to get on the phone and talk to the coaches of the schools he is most interested in. Arrange visits - Official/Unofficial doesn’t matter. Get on the campus in front of the coach. You did not mention how he qualifies academically - is he a stretch? is he well within the middle 50% range? All things to consider.</p>
<p>OP…if your son is getting texts etc and has a real interest in playing football at a certain school…he needs to sign up for a unofficial visit…i do find it surprising the coaches he is in contact with haven’t sent him a unofficial visit schedule…he can go on 2 unofficial visits during his senior year to any school…official visits vary depending on if its D1.D2 or D3…D3.</p>
<p>Bottom line is he needs to get in front of coaches…unless your a blue chip Top 10 rated player at your position nobody will jump to far without seeing you…the “eye test” is critical too many coaches…they want to size you up and see what your made of…wear boots and clothes that make you look bigger or more athletic…for some positions coaches will look at the size of your hands etc…</p>
<p>Send more then films if the player has impressive stats…things like the Nike Combine and official lifts if the player power lifts…DO NOT embellish stats for any reason…cause you will get called out eventually…nothing will ruin your chances more then being deceptive or out right telling lies… </p>
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<p>High school students (or anyone) may visit colleges on their own any time or as many times as they wish.</p>
<p>(EDIT: just one of among many citations that pop up on Google: <a href=“http://www.uaa.rochester.edu/nadiiiaa/Resource%20Documents/d3_off-campus_rec_guide.pdf”>http://www.uaa.rochester.edu/nadiiiaa/Resource%20Documents/d3_off-campus_rec_guide.pdf</a> )</p>
<p>sorry, wrong thread</p>