Each week we receive questions from players and families about preparing for college lacrosse.  From time to time we'd like to present the answers.  With recruiting moving earlier and earlier the question of when to start and what to do is raised.   If you are the parent of an 8th grader whose skill in and passion for the game is high, this question and our answer will be of interest to you.  "I have a question for you.  My Son is registered to play at Blue Chip 225 (Elite) this Summer and is in 8th grade.  He is definitely a top player and performed very well at  recent competitive events.  My question is around calling college coaches at this stage.  Would it be too early for an 8th grader to begin calling coaches?  Or should he be waiting another year?  There was an 8th grade player at our last event who was already committed to a major DI school. and I am aware that some kids will get recruited as rising Freshmen. I don't want my Son to begin calling now if it is way too early.  Please advise." Great question! It is not too early to reach out to college coaches if you have an exceptional player as an 8th grader. Keep in mind they cannot call you back. They may even have to refer you to an athletic liaison to fill out a questionnaire. Most important is to put your son on the radar by communicating what events you will be attending and by including highlights. Every college has a different recruiting timetable. Some programs will not even entertain the idea of speaking with 8th graders. For instance, the colleges of higher academic standard like the Ivy leagues have so many academic variables that must fall into place before considering a prospective student athlete. If you commit to Notre Dame and you get two C's on your transcript you may not be going to Notre Dame! Therefore they may be more hesitant. Keep in mind that only 50% of the young players that commit at an early age actually stick. If the institution does not like your physical and athletic development in lacrosse, or your behavior is sub par, motivation is lost or you score poorly in school they will drop you like a lead weight! The last thing I would say is DO NOT be in a hurry! Your son will changeso much over the next 2 years you won't believe it. For an 8th grade boy to be making a decision on the college he wants to attend in 8th grade is silly. If Coaches like him now take the offers and sit on it and see how many others come to fruition. You may find he gets a better deal if you are patient. However, it is your choice. Don't forget to enjoy the process and look at all the variables when making a decision on where your son will spend his four great years of college. Those four years will affect the next 50 years of his life!