Baseball Recruiting Update
High School Class of 2022 Gains Another Year of Eligibility
August 1, 2026 has come and gone. While some 2028s received calls from recruiters, many calls were most likely delayed. Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued an injunction extending another year of eligibility to 2022s. The injunction came out on July 31, just one day prior to the August 1 recruiting kickoff. College recruiters stepped back to see what options this opened up for them, but questions remain. The NCAA plans to appeal, leading to more uncertainty.
Some questions still exist:
If the player has graduated from college, will he have to enroll as a graduate student to be eligible? Or will taking enough of a class load be enough?
College coaches need to consider how this impacts their current committed roster. Are there any players leaving that they can add back?
How might this impact the scholarship distribution?
Should recruiters delay committing more 2027s and 2028s?
Would this new rule have changed players’ decisions regarding the draft? If they were not a high round choice, would the player have stayed for another year?
What about those who have aged-out prior to the 5-for-5 rule? Do they still get another year?
The way the injunction currently reads, the players must otherwise still be eligible. That seems contradictory though, because if they previously played 4 years but had a redshirt, that would seem to make them ineligible.
For colleges taking this into account, Fall 2026 may be more competitive than ever. With any last-minute decisions made, it will significantly impact those that may be cut at such a late date. It happens to some extent already. The teams have to drop to the 34-man roster prior to spring. Should the NCAA allow for a roster increase if a player is returning to the same school for their fifth year of eligibility? Should they allow the extra roster spots for transfers as well?
We’ve already seen a slowdown in the commitment timeline prior to this injunction. 2027s are committing later in the process than 2026s, and I suspect 2028s will commit even later. The decision remains with the school. Do they have someone return, or does the current roster remain intact? With the recent changes, rosters are aging every year. The process will remain chaotic for some time before we see things stabilize. I thought we would see some stabilization this year, but it looks like it will remain volatile for the near future.
For coaches and recruits, the recruiting process has changed with increasing frequency and complexity. For aspiring college athletes, they will need to stay consistent and persistent in their efforts. Find the right match that meets your educational goals, financial constraints, and development goals. It looks like offers for many will come later than in previous years, and there may not be as many spots for freshmen as before. The recruiting timeline has extended anyway due to the transfer portal timing and the need for coaches to win now. D2, D3, and JUCO will become a more frequent path for many, unless the NCAA changes that with some new rules in their “rule of the month” timeline.