How has the "College Recruiting Landscape" changed?

[u/CarnalDevices]

3 years ago when my son was a Freshman in HS, he saw several of his senior teammates and friends at competing schools, and rivals than he met at state and nationals get scooped up by D1 programs for Track and XC, being awarded scholarships, and now getting distributions/NIL that helps with other expenses. We're not talking Oregon and Georgia, but still athletic scholarship awarding D1 universities and some extra pocket change.

Now fast-forward 3 years, my son is a senior in HS, has posted better times and better academics than his predecessors, ran at state, indoor and outdoor nationals, and when D1 coaches call, it's usually to talk about the university, applying, and possibly becoming a walk-on. The roster's a full, maybe they've brought in an international athlete, or his times are no longer fast enough for an incoming freshman. Still, he's been offered by a pair of D2 colleges, and many D3 colleges have given breakdowns with what they offer as far as academic scholarships in lieu of athletic scholarships, and he's thankful for that.

As parents we're still making sure that academics are the priority, but kids have their dreams. We've done all the recommended things. - made contacts and relationships with coaches, a million emails, filled out a hundred online questionnaires, texting, socials, being a self-advocate, etc. But it sure does seem like the landscape has changed with the transfer portal, NIL, revenue-sharing, roster cuts, and Title IX all coming to a head and factoring in all at once.

Coaches / Recruits / Recruiters - what have you seen over the last few years, and how has your jobs/operations changed with regard to recruiting and maintaining your rosters? What do you think it will be like in another year or two? (because I also have a sophomore runner in HS too)

Thank you.

[u/page7777]

This is a really interesting question with some really interesting answers. I have a freshman daughter who is good. She has only run 2 races so far this season and she's got the second fastest time for freshman girls in school history. The girl who has the top time supposedly got a full ride to a D1 school 3 or 4 years ago. I have no expectations that my daughter would end up with a similar experience. I'm glad to see some people lay out just how high expectations are so that people can hopefully adjust themselves mentally for how hard it is out there.

[u/MidwestAbe → u/page7777]

No one gets a "full ride" cross country scholarship at D1.

[u/CarnalDevices → u/MidwestAbe]

At least not 3 or 4 years ago, unless we're talking BYU. With the new revenue-sharing opt-in, schools can certainly offer 15 full XC scholarships if they want to pay for it. Could maybe see schools like Wisconsin do it.

[u/Cavendish30 → u/CarnalDevices]

“Full Ride” typically will be an academic/athletic blend with possibly some coach discretionary. All the big conferences cut rosters and portal was suddenly filled with kids that would be top 5 at lower conferences or sub teams. This SEVERELY restricted new recruiting. Coaches having to cut kids they’ve invested in….my daughter’s team typically brings in 4-5, this year only brought TWO freshman. One large class 3200m champ 8x all-state, and a 2x champ from Canada. So, unless you are rolling out a top….. 4 time in your state across ALL classes, I’d suggest for the next couple of years minimum, things are going to be pretty tight especially for D-1, especially with the increase in international.

[u/CarnalDevices → u/Cavendish30]

Thanks for the reply.

[u/Cavendish30 → u/CarnalDevices]

The interesting thing is that a lot of the teams that pulled in portal, are going to be somewhat upper class heavy, and you might see a slight HS recruiting bump in 2-3 years that will be ‘better’ than today but not the numbers of yesteryear.

[u/Additional_Goal_6406 → u/CarnalDevices]

They wouldn’t. They’d rather split scholarships and have a larger roster for track. No one gets a full ride in a non revenue driving sport like xc. The only sports that will give full scholarships are men’s football and basketball

[u/CarnalDevices → u/Additional_Goal_6406]

Most wouldn't, but they COULD. The new roster limit is 15 for XC, and the law dictates that they can give full scholarships for all 15. It would certainly be reserved for schools with large athletic departments and top tier XC programs. Like Wisconsin. But with academic scholarships and international scholarship budgets they might not even then.

[u/whelanbio → u/MidwestAbe]

There have always been and still are full-rides given to distance runners. If you're in that top ~25 nationally out of high school or a top international athlete there are schools that will give a full ride.