We met 5 head coaches, we met the Principal/Headmaster, I spent hours on the phone with them. I had a full out recruiting tour, like college for my son. The Head Coach hosted us for 2.5-3.5 hours at each.

Private/Prep School Recruiting Visits/Dialogue:

1) One school the Head Football Coach hosted and they had the AD, Headmaster there to meet us. He had the varsity football captains meet us and the QB's father. They also had the head lax coach say hello (another sport my son plays). They offered to set a zoom with pro athlete who is a graduate, someone you all know. This is all this after hours of dialogue. Offered to practice with the varsity team in middle school, no hitting outside of middle school practice but focus on learning the HS O.

2) Another school it was the Head Coach and the QB coach who hosted us for 3 hours. They had a highlight film of my son compared to their varsity QB. Spent hours touring the school. Had about 2 hours prior of calls. Offered to dress varsity when an 8th grader. Emails my son every other week (with me/wife cc'ed) telling him he would be a "monumental get for the school"...a bit weird for a deacon.

3) Another school had the Head Football Coach and the captain of the team. We spent a few hours together and then met the Head of Admissions. Offered the sun, offered to start right away in middle school sight unseen. Offered to practice with the varsity team in middle school, no hitting outside of middle school practice but focus on learning the HS O.

4) Wanted son to start in 8th grade with their program in advance of HS. Top tier HS program and academics. Wanted a verbal commit and acceptance next year for 8th grade. Offered sideline passes to games, workout sessions with their QBs. Had a multi-hour visit on campus.

Private/Pre/Boarding Schools (HS only option):

5) top private school. They have D1 athletes everywhere. Top academic school. Hosted by the Head Football Coach (he was a former college assistant and NFL assistant). Had stop ins from current students. Met the graduating QB (heading to a top Big 10 school). Went through what was needed to make it. Recruiting pipeline and offer to get in and accepted in fall next year.

Options 1, 4 and 5 are schools with sub-10% acceptance rates the past few years. They all have a ton of money and great facilities, coaches and opportunities to be seen; 1, 4 and 5 were the best. All offered "scholarships" (need based so we would not qualify).

This is all before 8th grade. They start young. The tournaments we travel to have scouts for colleges (generally 8th grade an up) and 6-8th grade have private school guys sniffing around.