Boys DIII recruiting advice for 2026?
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Anonymous
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Anyone on this board who has had a son go the D3 route? If possible my guy would like to get looks from high academic type schools, think NESCAC schools but not necessarily limited to that particular conference. Son was JV 9th/10th at a high-end WCAC/IAC type program, if all goes well should make varsity next season (junior year) and get some PT in games where the team has a nice lead. Not a starter/superstar (hence D3) but certainly a nice little player who's still growing and can use both hands. Currently on a top club's second team. 3.7 GPA and will be working to maintain that or improve it if possible.
I've heard/read people recommend Lacrosse Masters this summer, are there any other events to look at in summer (and this fall and winter)? Is summer after junior year most important for these types of players? |
Anonymous
| Nescac lacrosse is very competitive. The recruited players typically play on the top teams of their respective clubs. D3 recruiting does occur the summer after junior year and early fall. It’s good your son has a solid gpa. Good luck! |
Anonymous
You are kidding right? Your kid needed to be Varsity all four years and be a starter. GPA also too low for "high academic" in this mix. |
Anonymous
For NESCAC you really have to be able to get in to the school academically. I don’t think a 3.7 would be adequate. Recruiting will not really start for NESCAC until July 1. |
Anonymous
Interesting and helpful, thanks! So every single player on every single NESCAC lacrosse team was a four year varsity starter, and 100% of these players also had GPAs over 3.7? And same story at colleges like Haverford/Swarthmore/Kenyon and other SLACs? Would love to hear more! |
Anonymous
Kid doesn't need to be a four year Varsity player or starter necessarily, but the NESCAC schools are landing higher than "hopes to make Varsity get some minutes as a junior," particularly at the top of the conference. GPA is also not likely a needle mover and might even need coach support at 3.7 unless the classes are lots of AP/Honors level. Target lower level lacrosse and academics. |
Anonymous
I do not know every player on every roster but know a few in the 2023 class that went to those schools and all were four year varsity and played on top clubs. I would also say the same is true for other top d3 teams like CNU W&L RIT ect. There are also lower level D3 that will take almost any player. |
Anonymous
| Kenyon, F&M, Dickinson |
Anonymous
| And to reiterate above advice, grades matter more at the d3 level. |
Anonymous
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Tune out the harsh comments. But PP is right that recruited NESCAC players are D1-type standouts. And NESCACs are uber competitive academically too. So if DS isn't an academic superstar, being an above average lacrosse player isn't going to get him into Williams, Tufts, Amherst. That said, if DS can academically qualify for admission to a NESCAC school, sounds like he could 'walk on' to a NESCAC program. He could also get recruiting looks from some other competitive D3s that are just outside the top 20 (Conn. College, F&M, Haverford, Kenyon, MIT -- well, maybe not MIT with a 3.7). But you get the point. There are lots of great D3s that would love to have your son. If he is interested in a specific school, getting recruited is easy: Step 1: Have DS e mail the coach directly and make his strong interest in the school/team known. Step 2: Have DS be good enough at lacrosse that said coach will be genuinely interested.
Attending Lacrosse Masters is like taking out a classified ad in the paper - not that targeted, but sure, it could work. In addition to D3 programs, DS may also consider MCLA programs, especially if he likes big schools: Auburn, Cal, Florida, JMU, VaTech, etc. Those teams have paid coaches and those coaches recruit, but hold zero sway with admissions. Bottom line: Your kid is going to grow and has great potential. He could become a lax superstar. But if not, and he just loves the game, there are plenty of places where he can play, contribute, and have fun while getting a great education. But word to the wise: Put school first and lacrosse a distant second. |
Anonymous
You apply first and recruit the school at d3. |
Anonymous
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My suggestions based on having kids at D3 and D1. Have him collect a list of D3 schools of interest--NESCAC, Centennial conference, etc. that you consider academically appropriate--meaning he would be happy going there without playing lacrosse and lacrosse can be used to help with entry. For example, using those two conferences in particular, there is a big difference between academics and entry requirements at Williams and Amherst vs Trinity and Conn College. Same for F&M/Gettysburg/Dickinson vs McDaniel or Washington College.
Player should contact the head and assistant coaches at each targeted school starting now with a semi personal note highlighting why your son is interested in that program and information about your player as well as his club tournament schedule. Yes they are targeting juniors now but it is not too soon to get on someone's radar. Follow up with good, targeted film from this summer's tournaments and continue on through summer of Junior year with regular communication. Lacrosse Masters is good but make sure he reaches out to each specific school to let the coaches know he will be there and have club coach reach out as well. It is a sea of players at those showcase events for the coaches if they don't already know you are interested. They can also contact you back during this process to express interest and invite you to prospect camps. Some programs automatically reply to incoming emails from players with prospect day invites so don't waste time going unless your club coach can find out if they are really interested or if it is one of your top options and you think you can go and really impress. Alternatively you can target some prospect days that are nearby so don't require significant investment and see how he feels about stacking up against competition also targeting these schools. I agree with above posters that most recruits at the better schools in D3 conferences are varsity contributors by sophomore and junior years and play on higher end club teams but that also depends somewhat on your league and private vs public schools with regard to level of competition that he faces. The better programs also target the better tournaments so if they A team is heading to PA and the B team is playing in DE that same weekend you may not see the schools you want represented in DE. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| You should research the rosters of the current D3 schools you are looking to attend. You can find highlight videos of everyone on the team when they were in high school, many of those videos will list their accolades and GPA. |
Anonymous
| If your son is halfway through HS and not yet played in a varsity game, and is projected only to be a backup as a junior, it’s not realistic to expect to play D3 varsity. He should be choosing a college based on academic and social fit, and play club lacrosse if he wants to continue playing the game beyond high school. |
Anonymous
I disagree with this. There are many D3 programs a player with that profile can play for. Some are struggling just to get students and a private school student who will pay tuition will be welcomed. Also top club programs like VT or South Carolina are more difficult to make the team than many D3 schools. |