The impractical nature regarding college recruiting

In the present day high school athletic scene, there seems to be an obvious trend: players deciding on their future university at a younger age. While possibly beneficial to their overall stress level come the end of high school, this is unreasonable to force upon young athletes.

In a statement on April 26, 2016, ESPN college basketball analyst, Seth Greenberg, tweeted, “Not a big fan of rating eighth graders and freshmen. What does it really mean? What is the value?”

While somewhat irrelevant from the original discussion, Greenberg raises a valid point: middle school or early high school students are too immature emotionally and physically to be covered at the national level. Still kids, they are treated as adults. Juveniles are not able to control their emotions in front of the media or cope with the stress of formulating a decision that will impact their future.

The same corresponds with recruiting. While talent can be regonized at a young age, forcing an athlete to commit to a school hastily can have negative effects on the university’s athletic program. He/she may be competing in multiple sports, deciding on which they enjoy or are more skilled at playing, and not able to make such a hasty decision. Forcing students to converse with coaches, many who intend to coerce the athlete to attend their school in five years, is simply ridiculous and unbelievable, considering their age.

David Buchanan, junior at Flint Hill, who maintains relationships with recruited underclassmen, contests this idea.

“They should not be put on the spot like that. Colleges should not be putting pressure on them like that,” said the junior. “Telling a freshman that they are going to be recruited makes them feel like they must perform well, and that is just crazy for people so young.”

For girls lacrosse players, this procedure seems to pervasive. Players are contacted by coaches as early as seventh grade, and some even commit before reaching high school.

For McKenna Lindsay, freshman at Flint Hill School, who is currently being recruited by multiple Division I schools, beginning the college process before high school is impractical.

“I understand why colleges would want to start recruiting now,” said Lindsay. “I think starting before high school is a bit extreme.”

This phenomena is hurting not just their moral, but these adolescent's will to succeed in high school. Committing to a college before high school leads one to conserve a certain ineffable sense of indolence, created by their knowledge that high school athletics and curriculum is a formality. With a scholarship already promised, the committed persons only require mediocre health and an average GPA (according to the NCAA's admissions standards) to attend college. Four years of remissness and lethargy towards education results in an apathy towards school. After reaching university, they may then underachieve in classes, partially due to their indifference in high school.

Jordan Houston, freshman varsity football player at Flint Hill, is not planning on deciding before the end of his first high school year, while targeted by multiple top-tier college football programs.

"So far, Northwestern, Penn State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Harvard have shown some interest in me," said the freshman. "It is probably not a good idea for a freshman to make any decisions about college because a lot can change in 4 years."

The freshman, who dominated defenses en route to 1729 yards, according to allmetsports.com, appreciates the school's interest, but will not make any impetuous decision.

"I believe the schools that show interest in you early want you the most," he said. "I believe it is much better to wait until at least your junior year to make any decisions about where you want to go. "

Arnav Boppudi, junior and varsity tennis team member at Flint Hill, while being targeted by Division I schools, discredits the idea of premature college-signing.

“Washington and Lee first contacted me during the summer between my sophomore and junior year, but I’m also talking to Michigan and Georgetown,” he said. “I wish I started [the process] earlier, but before tenth grade seems far too young.”

This seems to be a constant trend in high school athletics, as players are facing the decision of college at a younger age. While tennis seems to not be in the similar realm, Boppudi is entering this process sooner than most in his grade.

“This process should not occur, but it does, and as athletes, we must adapt,” said the junior.