Athletic Recruiting Definitions for Parents and Athletes

When talking about the recruiting process, there are a number of different terms and phrases that I use.  While it is something that I assume most people know, I do realize that for people new to the athletic recruiting process, some of these terms may go over your head.  So with that in mind, I have decided to start an article that has different definitions of athletic recruiting terminology.

This definitions article will hopefully be updated every few weeks or months as to help families throughout the recruiting process.  So if there is anything that you have questions about, please let us know so that we can get it added.  The list is in alphabetical order and has a quick definition on each term.

Deadline
When a player receives a deadline, the college coach is telling them that they have until a certain day to commit or the school is going to offer another prospect.  For example, your son Jim has until November 1st to commit or we will offer another point guard.  This applies in all sports but the smaller the scholarship number, the more often it happens.

Grayshirt
Grayshirting happens when a school is full in the current scholarship year but they want to bring an athlete in on scholarship.  If you were in the Class of 2008 and accepted a scholarship, you would not sign any paperwork.  You then would take classes part time in the fall of 2008 and workout on your own.  In December of 2008, you would sign a National Letter of Intent with the school and be enrolled full time in the spring of 2009.  This is usually a numbers issue when grayshirting happens.

Interest
Colleges are showing interest by sending you mail.  They have not done anything else outside of showing basic interest.

Official
An official visit is one that the school recruiting you pays for.  They will either fly the athlete in or reimburse them for mileage driven to the school.

Redshirt
This is when a recruit take a year to adjust to college, get bigger, and learn the system.  They have five years to play four seasons so a redshirt will not take any of their eligible years away.

Unofficial
An unofficial visit is when a prospect visits a college on their own dime.  They pay all the expenses to get there.

Verbal Offer
A verbal offer is when a college coach verbally tells an athletic recruit that they have an offer.  I personally don’t believe a verbal offer until…..

Written Offer
This is when a college coach puts the offer in writing.  If they really want you, they will put the scholarship offer in writing.