Unlimited official visits pros and cons with recruits’ opinions
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Like it or not, the NCAA can no longer be labeled as a passive part of the recruiting process. Starting with the transfer portal and the adoption of Name, Image, and Likness (NIL), the governing body over collegiate athletics has made major changes to the structure of being a student-athlete. Another big change has been added to the rule book, unlimited official visits.
For high school and junior college students, official visits had been limited to five, that all changes on July 1 to the unlimited plan. Part of the new look NCAA, players can take an official visit to the same school twice if there is a coaching change. All of the new changes add up to an adjustment needed to be made by colleges, players, and fans.
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The pros and cons of the new unlimited official visit rule:
Pros – A prospect that has a strong relationship with a coaching staff but has not visited the campus yet due to distance and/or money will now get that opportunity. Unofficial visits come out of the prospect’s pocket which can limit how far and how frequently said prospect may visit. Teams in lower population areas that traditionally recruit outside the region, take Nebraska as an example, will have a greater chance of bringing a player on campus for an official under the new rule.
Instead of a player picking five teams for official visits that could lead to their commitment based on relationships built off phone conversations and unofficial visits, they can expand their sphere of influence. A next level fit not found previously could be matched.
Coaching changes are a part of the game. Fans often forget the relationship built leading to a commitment is often about the coaches or a coach, not necessarily about the university. The unlimited rule will allow a player to follow a beloved coach to his new school on an official. Going the other way, once said coach leaves, that committed player can return spending time with the new position coach, coordinator, or head coach to determine if there is still a fit.
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Cons – For college football purists, be ready to hear about a prospect taking 13 or more official visits; at some point it will happen. To those within the world of recruiting, a player taking more than 10 official visits is milking the opportunity, but that is their call. Furthermore, it is up to a college football program to adjudicate the sincerity of a player’s want for an official visit. If after 12 official visits, a program wants to be lucky No. 13, that is their call.
Somewhere between the transfer portal and a given high school class lies uncertainty for the players and college coaching staff. A high school player wanting to explore options deep into December’s Early Signing Period or even until National Signing Day could opt himself out of a wanted opportunity seeing a favorite program opt for a different high school prospect or fill the need through the portal. Official visits are nice, fun, and informative, but being honest with oneself about relationships and fit should narrow down the trips. College programs are still going to want to essentially wrap up their next recruiting class the summer before the new season begins.
The Reality – Somewhere in between is usually where all things rest. There will be those who take advantage of the opportunity to an extreme and those who keep it to five or under. A player can ask to take an official visit, but college teams have a budget that they must adhere to. Teams that have the money to spend on official visits may play around with the new open door but at some point a behind the door number will be set limiting the amount of official visits allowed.
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PLAYERS’ OPINIONS
Rod Gainey: What are your thoughts on the new NCAA unlimited official visit rule?
“I think it is great because you can experience more than just the five. This will be great for the players to see how each school is.”
Unlimited or limited?
“I think there should be a limit, but more than five; maybe eight.”
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Tovani Mizell: How many visits will you take?
“To the schools that are showing me the most interest. That will be tough because when they allow that, it will be during the season. To be honest, maybe about 10. I will visit the schools that are showing me the most love in my top 10.”
How many official visits should be allowed?
“I feel like it is good that they opened it up because I felt five was hard to make decisions off of. It is pretty cool that they opened it up. Unlimited, that is crazy to be honest, but at the same time the school has to be willing to pay for you. Unlimited is fine as long as the school is willing to pay. If a school isn’t interested in you, that are not going to pay for your visit.”
The transfer portal has sped up commitments, will unlimited official visits push back commitments?
“I think it will push back commitments to be honest with you. Players are free to check out more schools, I feel that it will push it back as a whole.”
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Ricky Knight: With the extra visits coming in July per NCAA, does that change anything for you?
“I will probably take more than the usual to get the experience. A lot of people were limited, this is something everyone has wanted for the longest. I do think it will cause a lot of controversy with a lot of recruits because they can see whatever school they want. Their top schools will have to compete with another school.”
Should there be a limit on the number of official visits?
“I think it is better off with no limit. It gives the recruits a better experience before picking a school.”
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