I just got off the phone with the mother of a 2027 player. Zero offers. She told me her son is a D1 player. I told her the truth. Power 4 and Power 5 D1 programs want older, more physically mature players. That is not an opinion. That is how college baseball works in 2026. I told her his path may need to start at a D3 program. She was insulted. So I explained something that most families do not understand. D3 is not little league. Because of roster reductions, NIL, and the transfer portal — genuinely elite players are now choosing D3 programs to develop, get playing time, build a college baseball resume, and transfer to a Power 4 or Power 5 program. Some of them are getting paid to do it. That is not a consolation prize. That is a strategy. And it is the most realistic path for a 2027 player with D1 ability who is not yet physically where Power 4 coaches need him to be. She hung up on me. I have been doing this for 28 years. I will tell you the truth even when you do not want to hear it. The parents who listen are the ones whose sons play college baseball. The parents who hang up find out in March there is nothing left. — Coach Drew | 315-440-9755 phase2recruiting.netlify.app