Junior College to 4 Year School Volleyball Recruiting

Hey Coach,

Wondering if you can provide some recruiting tips to manage the recruiting process for a junior college player to a 4 year college? 

Our daughter is currently a freshman playing for a well respected Juco program. She is a full academic qualifier. We have read your book and followed your plan to get our daughter to this point. We know the main challenge we've heard is the draw back of Juco is that you have to go through the recruiting  process twice. 

Here are our questions..... Are Juco coaches more involved with the recruiting process than high school coaches or is the process still mainly self managed by the volley family? Is it viewed as a negative if a Juco player tries to transfer out after 1 year? Is the process now just as large of an out reach (100-150 schools) as in high school or more of a narrow search? Are there any differences in the approach or timing for the Juco player when contacting a 4 year coach? Are there any other differences that we should be  aware of? 

We realize that right now is in season and not primary recruiting time but just want to try to stay ahead of the game as we prepare for winter/spring. Any light that you can shed regarding maximizing the recruitment process for the Juco player either after the freshman or sophomore year would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the the wealth of knowledge that this site offers.

Uninformed Juco volley family

Thanks for the compliments on Inside College Volleyball and glad to know it has been a positive resource for your family.

Let me break out each question and answer below:

- Are Juco coaches more involved with the recruiting process than high school coaches or is the process still mainly self managed by the volley family?  Generally, the JUCO coaches are more involved but they are never going to be a motivated as the family.  I have seen some JUCO programs that send out a detailed listing of each player, inclusive of current video to 4 year schools and are happy to discuss the merits of each player when called.  But, I also know of successful JUCO programs that don't do anything to assist the their players in the transition a 4 year program.  By default, I always advice the family to be the most active in the outreach and communication, but use the JUCO as a resource.

- Is it viewed as a negative if a Juco player tries to transfer out after 1 year?  Not by the 4 year college coaches.  They are interested in bringing in the best talent possible each year; does not matter if it is a 1 year JC player, a 2 year JC player, International player, 4 year transfer player or an old school high school recruit!

- Is the process now just as large of an out reach (100-150 schools) as in high school or more of a narrow search?  Potentially.  You want to reach out to as many schools as possible, while still respecting the academic and athletic goals of your daughter.  Since your daughter has had a year of collegiate classes and volleyball, she should be more defined in her academic interests and her athletic abilities.  This would tend to make the outreach list a bit smaller than in high school.  

- Are there any differences in the approach or timing for the Juco player when contacting a 4 year coach?  I think it is important to start the recruiting outreach/conversation in your 1st year of Junior College because 4 year college coaches are always recruiting.  Some may have a spot open up in their Sophomore class and are interested in filling it with a transfer for experience?  Some may have an opening right now, and want to bring in a JC graduate to balance out their classes.  The mistake that JC families make is waiting until after their 2nd season of JUCO ball to start the outreach.  By this time, many of the 4 year programs are well into their recruiting efforts for any available fall scholarships.

- Are there any other differences that we should be aware of?  College coaches are recruiting a JUCO player to play immediately and be an impact player (on average).  They are not looking to fill a roster spot or find a back up; they need a player to be on the court.  This is different from a high school recruit, where being in the starting lineup is a bonus; with a JUCO player it is the expectation.

- Any light that you can shed regarding maximizing the recruitment process for the Juco player either after the freshman or sophomore year would be greatly appreciated!  The critical part of the JUCO recruitment outreach is video.  4 year college coaches may well be too busy or not geographically near to scout JC matches in general, and JUCO players don't participate in club volleyball tournaments.  This means that current video is critical for garnering the attention of 4 year programs.  If they feel that you display the skills on video to be a starter in their program, then they will find the time to come see you in person.  No matter how good you look on paper (all conference, tall, all region, great personality, etc), you will always look better on video.

Coach