I just got the following response from my assistant coach about his call to one of the players I am recruiting.

"It is going to take a miracle to convince (PLAYER's NAME) to play with us. Do you believe in miracles coach?"

Does this mean that there is no point in pursuing this recruit?

Or does it mean that I would have to spend a ton of money to convince him to come to my school?

I could read it either way, but I am bias because I really want this guy.

Don't recruit him any further, you have no shot.

Thanks for the help. Even if it isn't what I wanted to hear.

I'm not sure I agree entirely...the player could still drop down, he just hasn't done so yet. You can continue to call him each cycle, he may drop down eventually but there are no guarantees. That email is better than no response at all, and if he continues to get no interest from other schools he could eventually drop to you. I've signed players at the D2 and D3 levels who originally gave me that email but it really depends how far out of your league he is if you know what I mean.

I would call the coach and get his response. I think I remember one time in D-III I got the "miracles" message when I called a D-I player. Obviously, it wasn't going to happen.

If you want him, depending on distance, prestige, etc...I would recruit him...I have signed guys even though I got that message.

you have no shot. the player will not drop down, cannot be pulled down, not now not later in recruiting.

how sure are you guys who say you have signed someone who gave you that message? i always try to be careful on these kinds of things, where the only way to know if something is possible or not is to have tried it and succeeded. but, this is a tough one, as it is not one of those things i considered to be even remotely a gray area.

pull out off the recruit now, especially if your phone calls go unanswered or they are too busy, etc...

A coach call will tell you if you are a backup or not