Sports Recruitment: A Deep Dive

Sports recruitment is defined as “any solicitation of prospective student-athletes or their parents by an institutional staff member or by a representative of the institution’s athletics interests for the purpose of securing a prospective student-athlete’s enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program” by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In simpler terms, it is when a college coach invites a high school athlete to play a sport for their college. It is most high school athletes' goal to be recruited by a college coach, however, only 7% of student-athletes end up competing in the NCAA.

According to Rivals.com, 5 students from Lindale have been or are being recruited to play college football. These athletes include 2021 graduate and running back Jordan Jenkins at Baylor and many upcoming athletes. Many more students have signed to college. This year, Will Hutchens signed with Sam Houston.

College coaches cannot contact high school athletes over the phone until June 15 after their sophomore year, and they cannot meet in person until September 1st of their junior year of high school.

Lady Eagles volleyball has also seen success in college. Of the graduating class of 2021, 5 girls have continued the sport into college. Marleigh Thurman signed to Williston State College and Shelbi Steen plays on the TJC team. Juniors Kayli Vickery, Maddox Lay, and Reagan Cates and sophomores Aspen Ives, Reagan Hope, and Addison Ridge hope to play in college in the future.

According to ScholarshipStats.com, only about 6.1% of high school athletes continue playing in college and 1.2% make it to the NCAA. The statistic only slightly moves for women's basketball with 7.0% in college and 1.2% for NCAA. Men’s basketball faces more competitive numbers with only 0.9% making it all the way to the NCAA.

Basketball has also seen college success. Girls' Basketball has had two players move to the college level. Lily Chamberlain, the graduate of 2021, signed to LeTourneau to play and is currently transferring to Texas tech starting in the fall. Senior Jillian Ortiz will be playing for LeTourneau next year. On record, boys basketball only has one player playing on the collegiate level, current Western Illinois junior Cody Collinsworth. Senior Ryder Johnson is currently committed to play basketball at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.

Until about July 1st 2021, college players were not making any money for any merchandise sold using the name, image and/or likeness (NIL). With the recent update to the NCAA rules, states can decide whether or not these players can make money off of jerseys sold in their name, video game character and many more. States such as Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and New Mexico allow athletes to monetize their NIL. College athletes earned an estimated $917 million in their first year of NIL payments. Popular athletes can make anywhere between $400,000 to $700,00 while least popular make between $5,000 to $30,000 according to AthleticDirectorU.Com.

Four players have or will sign to colleges in girls soccer. 2022 graduate Emma Bosworth signed with The University of Southern Maine and seniors Kaydee Cox, Brooke Everest, and Kaniyah Hill will all sign later in the spring. Last year four players signed to play boys soccer. Cole Falco is playing for ETBU, Ezra Caoili playing for Jacksonville College, Justin Groves playing for ETBU, and Solomon Saboia playing for TJC.

Lindale has a history of excellence not only in academics but in sports. Thanks to the hard work of Lindale's coaches and players, Lindale is awarded a rich history of college players.

Sports Recruitment: A Deep Dive Charlotte mcconathy and jaida jones