By Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting

The recruiting cycle is moving faster than it did last decade and definitely faster than it did 20 years ago.  As players are going through the process, I believe they should have a feel for what reality is when looking at the speed of commitments.  Yes… players are committing prior to playing a varsity baseball game in high school.  Yes… players are committing prior to playing, or practicing, with their high school team.  But is it moving fast for everyone… the numbers do not bear that sentiment.

The recruiting cycle for college coaches can be defined for most programs and conferences.  Schools with tradition, history, facilities, and conference affiliations can line up in a pecking order for top players.  Schools that may be up and coming are probably working just as hard, if not harder, to identify early talent, but they may not have the ability to commit players two and three years prior to their arrival.