In this conference clip, Matt Dugan of Mount St. Mary’s University discusses how college coaches should evaluate recruits based on their individual development potential rather than focusing solely on a player’s age or reclassification status.
Key takeaways include:
- Evaluating the individual athlete rather than making assumptions
- Understanding that physical maturity and future development can vary greatly between players of the same age
- Looking for indicators of continued growth
- Prioritizing where a player will be when they arrive on campus rather than focusing only on their current classification
- Using tools like postgraduate years or gap years when appropriate to help athletes continue developing
Successful recruiting is built on understanding the complete picture of a player rather than relying on labels. By evaluating physical growth, future potential, and individual development, coaches can better identify athletes who will continue to improve and contribute at the collegiate level.
