Blog Post

National Signing Day has come and gone. Dozens of Suburban One League football prospects signed National Letters of Intent last Wednesday with the colleges of their choice.

But what if you weren't one of the lucky ones? What if you're still unsigned? What if you're not committed? What if you don't have offers? What now?

Warning: Social Media Can Make or Break Recruiting

West Virginia University coach Sean Covich laid down the law to his men's golf recruits in a recent tweet:

"Dear recruits: If I research your social media and find multiple uses of profanity/pics of alcohol, will likely cost you a scholarship,� he tweeted.

Get the point, SOL prospects?

Social media is a wonderful tool to promote prospects to college coaches. I have enjoyed great success using Facebook and Twitter to help high school student-athletes get recruited and earn scholarships. However, if used inappropriately, social media can be disastrous for college prospects.

My simple advice to prospects: "If you have anything posted on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram that you wouldn't want your mother to read or see, make sure you delete it.�

Happy New Year!

As we enter 2016, it's time for Suburban One League prospects to make some New Year's resolutions.

Here are 10 do's and don'ts to consider:

Although high schools and colleges are dormant during the holidays, there is lots of activity among college prospects and coaches.

High school athletes are participating in holiday tournaments, exposure camps and showcases.

College coaches are preparing their teams for bowl games, tournaments and regular-season contests.

Recruiting continues as usual.

"Recruiting never stops -- even this time of year,� said Robert Cagle, National Director of Scouting for National Scouting Report. "Do college coaches take down time? Yes. Do they still read emails? Yes. Do they still evaluate prospects on film? Yes.�

The clock is ticking...

The NCAA's regular signing period for football and soccer is just two months away. The regular signing period for all other sports is only four months from now.

A small percentage of high school seniors signed National Letters of Intent during the NCAA's early signing period in November. A small percentage of student-athletes have made verbal commitments. A large percentage are weighing offers or still hoping to receive them.

What do they all have in common?

All want a share of the $2.7 billion in athletic scholarships available to 150,000 NCAA Division I and II athletes or the billions of dollars in academic grants and need-based scholarships available to 180,000 Division III athletes.

The NCAA's one-week early signing period is history.

Thousands of high school seniors, including dozens of Suburban One League athletes, recently signed National Letters of Intent to play sports at NCAA Division I and II schools.

But what about the thousands of high school seniors who didn't sign early? Is there still hope for them?

Absolutely.

Most high school seniors don't sign NLIs until the regular signing period. The regular period for football and soccer doesn't begin until Feb. 3. The regular period for all other sports begins April 13.

10 QUESTIONS ABOUT NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

By Gary SilversThe NCAA's one-week early signing period is underway.

Thousands of high school senior athletes have signed or will sign National Letters of Intent to attend NCAA Division I and II institutions. Those who don't sign during the early signing period can sign NLIs during the NCAA's regular signing periods, beginning in February and April.

To help explain NLIs and NCAA signing periods, here are 10 frequently asked questions and answers provided by the NCAA and NLI web site:

The NCAA early signing period is just a week away. The regular signing period is just a few months after that.

The early decision application period has begun. The regular decision application period is quickly approaching. You have application deadlines to meet.

You want to play college sports. You are on the recruiting radar. But you have yet to receive any offers.

What should you do?

Should you start applying to colleges? Should you contact the coaches? Should you hold out for offers?

Answer: all of the above.

Many college prospects across the country will have a difficult decision to make next month: to sign or not to sign.

The early signing period for high school seniors who will be enrolling at NCAA Division I or II universities during the 2016-17 school year is Nov. 11-18. Student-athletes in all sports except football, soccer and men's water polo will have a one-week window to sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI).

If they don't sign then, seniors must wait until the regular signing periods in 2016. Football, soccer and men's water polo players can sign NLIs beginning Feb. 3. Athletes in all other sports can sign starting April 13.

What's a prospect to do?

Your child tells you he/she wants to play college athletics. Your eyes light up and a huge smile crosses your face. You are so proud of him/her.

You desperately want to help your child get recruited and perhaps receive a scholarship. You tell him/her you will do everything possible to help. In fact, you offer to lead the charge.

But, before you get carried away, here are two words of advice: Back off!

The last thing a college coach wants is an over-involved parent of a prospect. Make sure you aren't perceived as one. If you are, you may do more harm than good. You may even steer a coach in another direction.