GKParent,
I think that is a good call. I agree with you that the vast majority of athletes who are at a level to play college sports need to be aggressive with recruiting by calling and emailing coaches. There are a few who don’t – and those exceptions are spotted at a tournament or recruiting camp, or there is just a loud buzz around them. I also suspect that those are the ones who are recruited early.
For the vast majority of athletes that do need to be aggressive in recruiting, it may pay for them to wait and to be a bit more mature for coach calls. I don’t think it is easy for a high schooler to make that telephone call, but I am guessing it would be very hard for an eighth grader. I know it would have been for my kids.
On the issue of early recruiting, as I understand it, nobody likes it. I suppose it is just a matter of time before the NCAA steps in. Yes, girls mature early, but they also peak early. Sometimes the uber fast 7th grade field player will slow down as maturity settles in. When you think about it, as much can happen in the 5 years between 8th and 12th grade as can happen in the 5 years between 3rd and 8th grades. Finally, remember that the earlies are only verbals, which is another way of saying that the athlete has committed to the school, not vice versa. So if something happens to the athlete, like injury, the coach will disappear pretty quickly.