Sports recruiting for high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Roman Jensen would have been one of the Mid-Penn’s top returning quarterbacks in 2022 with Red Land, but he told PennLive Monday evening that he is on the move.
The sophomore said he will attend and play for Maret School in Washington, D.C. in the fall. We were just looking to find a better academic and athletic opportunity,” Jensen said. “It’s going to be an adjustment, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jensen was 149-of-240 passing for 2,114 yards with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions for the Patriots last season.

https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2022/05/red-land-qb-roman-jensen-announces-transfer-destination.html

Wonder if he was recruited? He is not even from the area which is interesting.

Lol. Of course he was recruited.

His dad appears to be an account executive for Hudl (the football analytics company) and has coached college and high school football.

Maret football is surprisingly good considering the size of the school, facilities and league. They typically get a few players recruited every year with at least 1 DI. They had a UVa commit last year and even had a player make the NFL a while ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many if not most actually encourage redshirting, especially for boys.

Not sure about schools in the WCAC, but talk to admissions at the schools regularly mentioned on this site and mention redshirting. Bet they quickly discourage you.

STA routinely reclasses athletes. They are not only redshirted, they repeat 8th or 9th grade.

If they reclass in 8th grade, do they take 9th grade classes or repeat the 8th grade? A kid isn’t benefiting from repeating the same class work he’s just completed.

Reclassing is another way of saying "redshirting" or "repeating a grade" - so if they were in 8th grade and are reclassifyng, then they are doing 8th grade again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS's good friend was a recruited athlete for 9th. It was not a Big 3 but still a top school. Not one of the big sports like football, basketball, etc.

The family applied just like everyone else but contacted the admissions office and mentioned interest in playing the sport with the school and they were connected with the coach. The coach must have Google'd the child's background because they were invited to come in and meet with the team and attend practices.

The coach told the family he was eager to have the boy at the school and would let admissions know he wanted them to attend the school but that it was not his final decision. The coach continued to stay in touch and the child attended other events related to the sport during January up through decision day in March and was admitted and enrolled at this school.

Coaches at other schools "recruited" him too by showing interest, having him come tour and speak with the team but not the extent of the one school he ended up attending

I am pretty sure that 95% of “recruitment” is exactly like this and not initiated by the school, except probably for a select few football and basketball players.

[Anonymous]

This may be a silly question at this point of this thread but what are the reasons for wanting to be recruited to play sports at a private school?

a) Hopes that child's sports abilities AND academic achievement gets a scholarship.
b) Hopes that child's sports abilities AND academic achievement ensures admission (i.e., don't care about a scholarship)
c) Hope that child's sports abilities supplements a mediocre academic record to get a scholarship.
d) Hope that child's sports abilities supplements a mediocre academic record to get admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Roman Jensen would have been one of the Mid-Penn’s top returning quarterbacks in 2022 with Red Land, but he told PennLive Monday evening that he is on the move.
The sophomore said he will attend and play for Maret School in Washington, D.C. in the fall. We were just looking to find a better academic and athletic opportunity,” Jensen said. “It’s going to be an adjustment, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jensen was 149-of-240 passing for 2,114 yards with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions for the Patriots last season.

https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2022/05/red-land-qb-roman-jensen-announces-transfer-destination.html

Wonder if he was recruited? He is not even from the area which is interesting.

Lol. Of course he was recruited.

His dad appears to be an account executive for Hudl (the football analytics company) and has coached college and high school football.

Maret football is surprisingly good considering the size of the school, facilities and league. They typically get a few players recruited every year with at least 1 DI. They had a UVa commit last year and even had a player make the NFL a while ago.

Let’s not mislead anyone. Maret plays at the very lowest level of private school competition. (You did say “considering their league)

Hard to imagine a football player developing with those team mates, competition and coaching. But occasionally blind squirrels do find acorns.

A D1 aspirant should go to the WCAC. Going to Maret is a significant risk.

De Matha typically has 10 to 20 seniors that go on to play college football, most on scholarships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This may be a silly question at this point of this thread but what are the reasons for wanting to be recruited to play sports at a private school?

a) Hopes that child's sports abilities AND academic achievement gets a scholarship.
b) Hopes that child's sports abilities AND academic achievement ensures admission (i.e., don't care about a scholarship)
c) Hope that child's sports abilities supplements a mediocre academic record to get a scholarship.
d) Hope that child's sports abilities supplements a mediocre academic record to get admission.

It's a silly question because the reasons vary for everyone. I know kids who would not go private unless they got a scholarship and I know kids that have a mediocre academic record but are great at a sport and hope it will get them into a higher level school which would lead to a better college and a better job and a better life. That's how the dream goes anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Roman Jensen would have been one of the Mid-Penn’s top returning quarterbacks in 2022 with Red Land, but he told PennLive Monday evening that he is on the move.
The sophomore said he will attend and play for Maret School in Washington, D.C. in the fall. We were just looking to find a better academic and athletic opportunity,” Jensen said. “It’s going to be an adjustment, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jensen was 149-of-240 passing for 2,114 yards with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions for the Patriots last season.

https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2022/05/red-land-qb-roman-jensen-announces-transfer-destination.html

Wonder if he was recruited? He is not even from the area which is interesting.

Lol. Of course he was recruited.

His dad appears to be an account executive for Hudl (the football analytics company) and has coached college and high school football.

Maret football is surprisingly good considering the size of the school, facilities and league. They typically get a few players recruited every year with at least 1 DI. They had a UVa commit last year and even had a player make the NFL a while ago.

Let’s not mislead anyone. Maret plays at the very lowest level of private school competition. (You did say “considering their league)

Hard to imagine a football player developing with those team mates, competition and coaching. But occasionally blind squirrels do find acorns.

A D1 aspirant should go to the WCAC. Going to Maret is a significant risk.

De Matha typically has 10 to 20 seniors that go on to play college football, most on scholarships.

More kids going D1 from MAC programs than your average public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Roman Jensen would have been one of the Mid-Penn’s top returning quarterbacks in 2022 with Red Land, but he told PennLive Monday evening that he is on the move.
The sophomore said he will attend and play for Maret School in Washington, D.C. in the fall. We were just looking to find a better academic and athletic opportunity,” Jensen said. “It’s going to be an adjustment, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jensen was 149-of-240 passing for 2,114 yards with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions for the Patriots last season.

https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2022/05/red-land-qb-roman-jensen-announces-transfer-destination.html

Wonder if he was recruited? He is not even from the area which is interesting.

Lol. Of course he was recruited.

His dad appears to be an account executive for Hudl (the football analytics company) and has coached college and high school football.

Maret football is surprisingly good considering the size of the school, facilities and league. They typically get a few players recruited every year with at least 1 DI. They had a UVa commit last year and even had a player make the NFL a while ago.

Let’s not mislead anyone. Maret plays at the very lowest level of private school competition. (You did say “considering their league)

Hard to imagine a football player developing with those team mates, competition and coaching. But occasionally blind squirrels do find acorns.

A D1 aspirant should go to the WCAC. Going to Maret is a significant risk.

De Matha typically has 10 to 20 seniors that go on to play college football, most on scholarships.

That stuff does not matter as much as you think. The coaches recruit size, speed and strength not league or school. The difference between high school and college is big.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This may be a silly question at this point of this thread but what are the reasons for wanting to be recruited to play sports at a private school?

a) Hopes that child's sports abilities AND academic achievement gets a scholarship.
b) Hopes that child's sports abilities AND academic achievement ensures admission (i.e., don't care about a scholarship)
c) Hope that child's sports abilities supplements a mediocre academic record to get a scholarship.
d) Hope that child's sports abilities supplements a mediocre academic record to get admission.

Not OP or any of the other PPs but I want the better academic experience for my child. Smaller class sizes, more personal attention and better resources available to enhance learning. I am not chasing Ivy, I am chasing a more personalized and comfortable high school setting. I expect my child will attend a small liberal arts school or medium sized state school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Roman Jensen would have been one of the Mid-Penn’s top returning quarterbacks in 2022 with Red Land, but he told PennLive Monday evening that he is on the move.
The sophomore said he will attend and play for Maret School in Washington, D.C. in the fall. We were just looking to find a better academic and athletic opportunity,” Jensen said. “It’s going to be an adjustment, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jensen was 149-of-240 passing for 2,114 yards with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions for the Patriots last season.

https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2022/05/red-land-qb-roman-jensen-announces-transfer-destination.html

Wonder if he was recruited? He is not even from the area which is interesting.

Lol. Of course he was recruited.

His dad appears to be an account executive for Hudl (the football analytics company) and has coached college and high school football.

Maret football is surprisingly good considering the size of the school, facilities and league. They typically get a few players recruited every year with at least 1 DI. They had a UVa commit last year and even had a player make the NFL a while ago.

Let’s not mislead anyone. Maret plays at the very lowest level of private school competition. (You did say “considering their league)

Hard to imagine a football player developing with those team mates, competition and coaching. But occasionally blind squirrels do find acorns.

A D1 aspirant should go to the WCAC. Going to Maret is a significant risk.

De Matha typically has 10 to 20 seniors that go on to play college football, most on scholarships.

That stuff does not matter as much as you think. The coaches recruit size, speed and strength not league or school. The difference between high school and college is big.

Not my experience or what I have observed over the years.

College coaches need to calibrate what they see on film and in person. Playing well against WCAC competition is a different thing than playing well against MAC teams.

Also, there are histories and relationships between the these top athletic schools and many colleges. It’s based on mutual long term benefit. If two athletes are close in attributes, the offer will go to the one that has played at the higher level school.

The system is biased against athletes from the smaller schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This may be a silly question at this point of this thread but what are the reasons for wanting to be recruited to play sports at a private school?

a) Hopes that child's sports abilities AND academic achievement gets a scholarship.
b) Hopes that child's sports abilities AND academic achievement ensures admission (i.e., don't care about a scholarship)
c) Hope that child's sports abilities supplements a mediocre academic record to get a scholarship.
d) Hope that child's sports abilities supplements a mediocre academic record to get admission.

It's a silly question because the reasons vary for everyone. I know kids who would not go private unless they got a scholarship and I know kids that have a mediocre academic record but are great at a sport and hope it will get them into a higher level school which would lead to a better college and a better job and a better life. That's how the dream goes anyway.

I think the OP recognized that it varies and laid out options a-d above. I'm in the A camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The answer to this depends on:

The sport

The school (or conference)

What sports does he play and at what level?

From my experience, if he has not yet been approached, I'd avoid the WCAC (Catholic school league). I'd look more at the second level schools (sportswise); the schools in the MAC or IAC conferences. His chance of playing at these schools for four years is much higher then at the WCAC schools. They have smaller enrollments but higher academic standards and all but two have middle schools if he needs to be redshirted academically. If you need financial aid, they also have more funds available. No matter which jurisdiction you live, look at ALL the schools in these leagues in DC, MD and VA. If daily commute is a big
problem, four have boarding departments.


But remember, YOU have to make FIRST CONTACT. And once you have narrowed it down, make sure your son has the most say in the decision. Good luck.

There's a good bit of variance by sport here. What you said is probably true of basketball but in lacrosse, the top IAC schools (and top to bottom) are better than WCAC. MAC generally sucks.

This is not true. Sidwell basketball is nationally ranked. Maret baseball and softball is very good and their basketball program is rising, they’ve recently beaten IAC teams. Maret also won DC State football and soccer championship for Single A last year.

Last year Sidwell’s girls varsity basketball team was the best in the entire country (among ALL schools, private and public). They got a lot of press.

I hope Sidwell is looking as carefully for scholars to recruit as they are for athletes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The answer to this depends on:

The sport

The school (or conference)

What sports does he play and at what level?

From my experience, if he has not yet been approached, I'd avoid the WCAC (Catholic school league). I'd look more at the second level schools (sportswise); the schools in the MAC or IAC conferences. His chance of playing at these schools for four years is much higher then at the WCAC schools. They have smaller enrollments but higher academic standards and all but two have middle schools if he needs to be redshirted academically. If you need financial aid, they also have more funds available. No matter which jurisdiction you live, look at ALL the schools in these leagues in DC, MD and VA. If daily commute is a big
problem, four have boarding departments.


But remember, YOU have to make FIRST CONTACT. And once you have narrowed it down, make sure your son has the most say in the decision. Good luck.

There's a good bit of variance by sport here. What you said is probably true of basketball but in lacrosse, the top IAC schools (and top to bottom) are better than WCAC. MAC generally sucks.

This is not true. Sidwell basketball is nationally ranked. Maret baseball and softball is very good and their basketball program is rising, they’ve recently beaten IAC teams. Maret also won DC State football and soccer championship for Single A last year.

Last year Sidwell’s girls varsity basketball team was the best in the entire country (among ALL schools, private and public). They got a lot of press.

I hope Sidwell is looking as carefully for scholars to recruit as they are for athletes.

They are.

The Athletic Department, representing the coaches, lobbies for a few kids that it thinks are potential difference makers.

Admissions people have a range of things they are looking at. Superior academic ability weighs heavily.

Admissions attempts to satisfy the needs of the interest groups on campus. While at the same time not creating problems like admitting athletes that will struggle academically. The faculty is one of the interest groups they need to satisfy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many if not most actually encourage redshirting, especially for boys.

Not sure about schools in the WCAC, but talk to admissions at the schools regularly mentioned on this site and mention redshirting. Bet they quickly discourage you.

STA routinely reclasses athletes. They are not only redshirted, they repeat 8th or 9th grade.

If they reclass in 8th grade, do they take 9th grade classes or repeat the 8th grade? A kid isn’t benefiting from repeating the same class work he’s just completed.

Reclassing is another way of saying "redshirting" or "repeating a grade" - so if they were in 8th grade and are reclassifyng, then they are doing 8th grade again.

STA does not reclass at all. Kids do not repeat grades at STA.

Perhaps you are thinking of the whole Mater Delay/Prep/Gonzaga plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many if not most actually encourage redshirting, especially for boys.

Not sure about schools in the WCAC, but talk to admissions at the schools regularly mentioned on this site and mention redshirting. Bet they quickly discourage you.

STA routinely reclasses athletes. They are not only redshirted, they repeat 8th or 9th grade.

If they reclass in 8th grade, do they take 9th grade classes or repeat the 8th grade? A kid isn’t benefiting from repeating the same class work he’s just completed.

Reclassing is another way of saying "redshirting" or "repeating a grade" - so if they were in 8th grade and are reclassifyng, then they are doing 8th grade again.

STA does not reclass at all. Kids do not repeat grades at STA.

Perhaps you are thinking of the whole Mater Delay/Prep/Gonzaga plan.

This is so not true.

They took a kid for 9th grade this year who just completed 9th grade at Wilson/Jackson Reed. My son knows him.

They do this on a regular basis.