Ridge View High School is equipped for the evolution of recruiting

High school recruiting has evolved, and local schools have led the way in supporting athletes with dreams beyond the wood floors of their gyms.

Ridge View High School, located on the outskirts of Columbia, South Carolina, offers more than just a proper education for aspiring students. More schools are beginning to prepare their athletes for the unprecedented road ahead, starting with athletic recruitment.

Ridge View Blazers boys basketball coach Josh Staley has experienced the transformation after coaching for more than 20 years and winning multiple state championships. He has seen his players recruited at every level during his tenure.

“These young men and young women can really change their lives as a 17-, 18-, 19-year-old, so it’s a lot on the line, and you have to conduct yourself accordingly on and off the court,” Staley said. “It is already a major investment giving you a full athletic scholarship. We’re not just giving you a free education. People are investing in you financially so now your brand is even more important.”

Recruiting has become a multi-million dollar business with athletes receiving more than just scholarships for their talents, according to The Business of College Sports, a nationally recognized authority on the economics of collegiate athletics. A 2021 Supreme Court ruling allows NCAA athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL), reshaping the landscape of college recruiting. NCAA athletes now have just as many opportunities off the court as they do on the court to brighten their futures through product endorsements, social media sponsorships and personal appearances.

Navigating that evolving environment can be a challenge for any teenage athlete. Schools like Ridge View know this and actively prepare their top prospects for a successful future in sports. Blazers’ basketball star Korie Corbett is one example of this.

“Korie, he handles it really well,” Staley said. “The biggest thing is trying to get your name out there and the right people see you and then be able to perform when those eyes are on you. And I think he’s been doing a good job of that.”

The 6-foot-4-inch junior shooting guard already has five offers, including three from Power Four (P4) programs, which includes the ACC, SEC, Big 10 and Big 12 teams. P4 men’s basketball players earn $171,272 through NIL deals on average. The school’s significant financial investment in young athletes fuels a high-pressure environment filled with scrutiny from scouts and the media, according to Paint Touches, a news and analysis site.

Chris Bonds said heightened attention on young athletes, especially in the social media era, brings added pressure. As Ridge View’s strength and conditioning coach, he said he understands how navigating social media plays a crucial role in guiding athletes through this landscape. With guidance from their coaches, players like Corbett can stay focused on improving their game while taking advantage of social media platforms.

“Use it to your advantage,” Bonds said. “Social media could be a great thing if you use it the right way. And we do our best to teach the kids to use it the right way.”

Staley said schools like Ridge View are at the forefront of a shift in the dynamics of high school athletics. Everyone is focused on helping the student-athlete.

“This school is an entire support system all the way from the top — from the principal all the way down to the janitor,” Staley said. “Everyone supports everyone here. It’s beautiful.”

Recruiting offers benefits that extend beyond the individual athlete. High schools gain increased recognition, players elevate their level of competition and families find greater financial stability.

“It elevates everyone around you,” Staley said. “You can change your family situation. If you are good enough to get into that situation, you have opportunities to get NILs and all types of deals and sponsorships. It’s a lot on the line.” 

As college recruiting evolves, so do the expectations placed on young athletes. Schools like Ridge View are ensuring their players are prepared as NIL opportunities reshape the landscape.

For Corbett and others, that preparation could mean the difference between getting noticed and getting left behind. And they all seem aware that the stakes have never been higher.