Injuries and recruiting

keylyme · 10-21-2009, 10:46 PM

Bad news. My son tore his acl last week in a hs soccer game. He is a junior and is hoping to play DI. One of the coaches he had contacted was at the game and he heard back from several others that they would be coming to see him in the next few weeks. So, very upsetting to say the least. This is his second injury; he tore the acl in the other knee three years ago. Question...he is thinking of reclassifying as a junior (he is at a private high school where this is fairly common) or doing a pg year at a different prep school (although he loves his current school and would prefer to reclassify). He is already "old" (not really for prep school, though, as so many students...almost a third....are repeaters) because he did two freshman years, one at his public school then one at his prep school (per their suggestion so he would be a four year student at their school). I don't think this goes against any NCAA regs....he wouldn't turn 20 until spring of his senior year, and he would still be under 25 during college (I think the rule is under 25 for ncaa competition?). Anyway, comments and advice, please.

MaineLonghorn · 10-21-2009, 11:05 PM

I have no knowledge in this area, but I wanted to tell you I'll be thinking of him. How disappointing! Life is so rough sometimes.

keylyme · 10-21-2009, 11:06 PM

Thank you.

fauve · 10-21-2009, 11:46 PM

I'm so sorry to hear of your son's injury. Hope the recovery goes smoothly and he regains full ability.

Have you asked college coaches about red-shirting (do they have that for soccer?) for freshman year. Would he feel comfortable being a 20 year old freshman?

Definitely call the NCAA for age parameters. Perhaps the admissions office at a few colleges can give you an idea of their take on six years of high school. Good luck.

TheGFG · 10-21-2009, 11:47 PM

So sorry to hear that. You all must be so disappointed!

One thing I'd think about is that your S might want to keep open the possibility of a redshirt year in college. Many kids are redshirted as freshmen as a matter of course, and we know kids who've been redshirted for very minor pre-season injuries. Your son will already have had knee issues, so it isn't unthinkable that he could have some trouble later on also. So if he reclassifies now, would that mean he couldn't be redshirted later because of age restictions? Also, would he be bored academically? He's already been held back once. I'm not sure if I'd make that much of a concession to soccer unless he's truly a superstar/future MLS caliber player.

(sorry, cross-posted with fauve)

keylyme · 10-22-2009, 08:08 AM

^^BS has sort of put a crimp on soccer for him as it does inhibit his ability to fully participate in club. He did always want to play professionally, but not MLS. He wanted to play in Europe, England in particular, as he prefers the style. His club coaches always said he had that ability (they themselves are all ex-Premiership players). He definitely planned to continue on after college. He plays year round and participates with the US Dev. Academy even though he is at school. This all just happened yesterday; we are still in shock. I guess we will have to meet with his coaches, both club and school, and his advisor and guidance counselor (who luckily is also his coach) and see where we go from here. I am almost certain he would be okay age-wise as NCAA regs state you use a year of eligibility once you start playing organized sports outside of college after age 21, and you can't compete ncaa after age 25. So, even with the extra high school years, he would still have the 5 available to play 4 in college. He is already done is core curriculum requirements for ncaa as well. Because he is at a prep school that has pg's, there are students who are 20.

skrlvr · 10-22-2009, 10:18 AM

I'm so sorry, keylyme!

But I don't think all is lost. I know that many coaches will come to see your high school games, but realize that in the spring there will be club games to play, which is also a chance to get seen.

I do know that lots of recruiting takes place at the Spring Development Academy showcase in May. So there is time to rehab, etc. before this showcase. If he has a good recommendation from his club/hs coach, that can help. My son didn't get recruited based on high school or club games, but play at the showcases.

Camps over the summer can also help, though it's a bit more difficult.

I think it also depends on where he wants to go to school as well.

keylyme · 10-22-2009, 12:21 PM

^^Thanks. Having been through this before, I know he won't be in top form by May, but maybe he can go to the showcase. He just won't be very practiced. His school, because it is a prep, does get lots of looks from New England DI's. He is interested in schools outside New England as well, so the academy showcase, plus anything he can do over the summer will help. Another quandry is his age....becuase he will be a U18 (but a junior in hs) his club team won't be attending the showcases that the U17's and U16's attend. Do some U18 teams go to showcases? I am hoping he might be able to play as a guest. I guess he will also play U20 supery. Do you think his having had two ACL injuries will turn off recruiters?

ImCrazy · 10-22-2009, 12:59 PM

Do u have to tell them he's had 2? If the last one was awhile ago I wouldn't really say anything. If he can repeat or PG I would do that...there are tons of options. It really is more of a decision about how long you want to chase the dream.

skrlvr · 10-22-2009, 08:06 PM

The Development Academy U18 team should consist of players born in 91 and 92. They will be there in the Spring Showcase, as the USSF requires all DA teams have to go. Additionally, if his DA team makes it to the playoffs, there will be an additional opportunity to be seen in June.

But you're right about next year. The oldest DA teams will have 92 and 93 birth years, so if your son was born in 92, he would be fine. If he was born in 91, then you would have to look at other possibilities for club. So I guess you would need to know if there are any opportunities for a u19 or u20 club team and if kids on these teams get seen by coaches (or perhaps you wouldn't need this, since he could get seen from HS play). On the other hand, he will need some sort of team to play on to keep his skills up.

Does your club or HS coach have any good pull/reputation with any college coach your son would be interested in playing for? Perhaps with a good recommendation, coaches would be willing for him to be seen at camps this summer. I know a few college coaches who saw some juniors play this past spring in the DA showcase and were interested enough to ask them to come to camp this past summer for a better look.

3xboys · 10-24-2009, 12:52 PM

I'm so sorry to hear that news, keylyme. You must all be in total shock. Warm wishes for his speedy recovery and hopes that you find an opportunity hiding in this challenge...

hidingout · 10-26-2009, 08:24 PM

So sorry about the injury. I've been there with my own kid. One thing you can do is ask the coaches who are recruiting your son for their advice on the hold back year if your son already has established a personal relationship with any of them. Check with the NCAA about repeating a year of high school, in addition to age restrictions, there may also be a limit on semesters spent in high school. A post graduate year may make more sense for him in the long run. If your son decides to stay in his current class, contact the coaches, explain the surgery, and tell them you hope to see them at their camp(s) this summer. Good luck with the recovery. Your son is obviously a very talented athlete and he will still be a very talented athlete after he recovers. There is always a spot for talented athletes at the college level, even if one ends up being recruited a bit later than originally thought.

scualum · 10-27-2009, 01:54 AM

First of all, I'm very sorry for your son's injury.

My son tore his ACL in the spring of his senior year - so a year later than your son. In his case, what he did was gray shirt. He attended the local Junior College part time for a year - and as a result his NCAA clock did not start ticking. He still has 5 years to play 4, allowing for a redshirt year in the future if required.

Gray shirting is very tricky and there are many ways to accidentally trigger the clock - but it is a good option especially in a sport like soccer where there is such a strong club option. Feel free to PM me for more details on this.