It’s totally true, but keep it in perspective relative to non-recruits. Athletic recruits get pre-reads, chances to talk to current students with similar interests, and although Covid doesn’t help here, more chances to visit campus. The recruiting process does a lot to narrow the field, and it’s not as transparent for non-recruits. If your son was a non-recruit, he would be trying to guess where he might get in only by grades and scores.
I wouldn’t say that this is the most stressful time. I feel rollercoaster is a more apt analogy. Your kid has a good camp, and is swarmed with coaches, leaving you feel like recruiting is easy street - going downhill. Four months later, no coaches have called, and you think your kid is all but forgotten - the uphill. For me, the worst pins and needles came after the ED application, but before receiving the decision from the Ad Com.
@cinnamon1212, recognize that different schools are on different schedules. In fact, different coaches for different sports at the same school may be on different schedules. If you were expecting to hear from coaches by now and haven’t, this is not a time to be shy. Ask for a pre-read. If a pre-read has been requested, ask about the status. If you have heard back positively about the pre-read, ask the coach what the next steps are. If your son wants it, he should go after it. Coaches want kids who want to be on their team.