Freshman year: the first 90 days that actually matter
Forget recruiting. The first quarter of 9th grade sets the academic clock that everything else runs on.
I get a lot of freshman parents asking the wrong question first: "Who should we be talking to?" Almost no one. Not yet.
The right question is academic. Every college coach who ever wants to recruit your athlete will see the freshman transcript. A B turned into a D in October is harder to fix than people think.
In the first 90 days, do three things. One: check that the schedule includes NCAA-approved core courses (English, math, science, social studies). Counselors don't always think about this — you have to ask. Two: set a study routine that survives in-season. Tired Tuesdays are real. Three: get the first progress report in your hand, not just an email subject line.
The recruiting clock isn't ticking yet. The eligibility clock already is.