College Recruiting: 2021 Summer FAQ

Q: How are coaches handling future players who are looking for a fifth year of eligibility?

A: This can be a complex issue. A fifth-year of eligibility has added a new dimension to tennis recruiting, and it is very specific to each student-athlete’s situation. The main issue, beyond determining what makes sense for both the student-athlete and the program, is whether that’s something both sides mutually want to pursue, and if it makes sense in the long term. There are a lot of student-athletes starting graduate programs, and schools are asking whether degree completion for those student-athletes means paying for them to complete a sixth year if that graduate program takes two years. Schools that have accelerated or one-year grad programs have a huge advantage.

Q: What are the effects of the Transfer Portal?

A: The Transfer Portal is having a massive impact on rosters. As of mid-June, there were almost 500 student-athletes in the women’s tennis transfer portal alone. Many are looking to see if they can use their extra year, while some have seen their progression in the lineup blocked by returning older players. Players are even looking for spots two years in advance, trying to get ahead of future recruiting classes. Ultimately, not everyone in the transfer portal is going to find a new school to play for, and they may have given up their roster spot from their previous school if they wanted to return. The recruiting timeline for transfers is also markedly shorter than for incoming freshmen, which can provide a greater degree of certainty and confidence for coaches. It is becoming a balancing act of what is going to be right for each program.

When the dust settles, rosters will look very different at many colleges this fall. One thing that has become clear is that the Transfer Portal is here to stay. It has made the process of transferring more transparent and possibly more comfortable for student-athletes.

The NCAA did relax the six-month gap for players planning to enter in the fall of 2021, so it opens the door for them to take a gap.

Q: How do current recruiting and roster levels impact American tennis players?

A: The roster capacity due to the current issues can certainly have an impact on American tennis players, though it may be broadly felt among all players. With the recruitment of American players generally starting earlier than for international players, there’s a good chance that American juniors can get ahead of the game. The U.S. has a lot of great recruits and they are much more familiar with the culture of college tennis. American players are also armed with greater information on the U.S. college system at an early age.

There is great coaching, along with strong academics and positive college experiences, at DI mid-majors and the DII, DIII and NAIA levels. More players need to have an open mind. There’s a place for everyone—sometimes it might not be obvious or seem necessarily perfect, but it’s what players do with it that matters.