PROSPECT

High school athletes must understand various terms if they are planning to pursue college sports. One of the common terms they will hear is a prospect. In this blog post, we will discuss what a prospect is in the context of college sports. Prospects are essential for college coaches and recruiters to look for the best candidates to play on their teams. Therefore, knowing what a prospect is, and how one is defined, can be instrumental in an athlete's journey toward a collegiate sports career.

A prospect is a term used to describe a student-athlete who has the potential to play on a college sport's team. It is especially true if the athlete has a track record of excelling in his or her sport in high school. College coaches and recruiters typically classify prospects based on their talent, academics, and physical attributes.

Coaches and recruiters use various tools to identify prospects. One of these methods includes attending athletic events in high schools. They also use scouting and consulting agencies that help them identify potential candidates. These agencies work by video-recording high school games and tracking players' stats to help recruiters narrow the field of potential prospects.

Prospects are then categorized based on the level of interest that a coach has in them. The NCAA has developed rules and regulations concerning coaches' communication with prospective student-athletes. Depending on the timing and content of communication between a coach and a prospect, the prospect may be classified differently. The highest levels of interest granted to the prospect are a ""recruit.""

Once a student-athlete is identified as a prospect, they may receive official or unofficial visits to schools that fit the prospect's profile. In turn, college coaches and recruiters organize these visits to showcase the school's athletic facilities and game environment. This process enables prospects to explore their potential fit within that particular sports program.

Understanding the term ""prospect"" is fundamental for high school athletes who aspire to play college sports. Coaches and recruiters classify prospects based on various factors such as physical attributes, academic record, and talent. Depending on the communication level between a coach and a prospect, the prospect may be labeled a ""recruit."" Prospective student-athletes may receive unofficial or official visits to schools that match their profile. By knowing what a prospect is and how these work, athletes can put themselves in the best position to be considered for college sports programs.