One explanation for the wild cascade could be the transfer portal/roster limits at D1 level- apparently this is a factor now and D3 coaches said they received a lot of D1 transfer interest this spring. Not sure how that worked out but could explain another strain on overall recruiting spots. I agree that I don’t think many are backing off the academic standards though but maybe they don’t have to. Maybe there are enough kids this fast with these grades/score. Not sure- still in the middle of the process and figuring it out.