I've been exclusively in D2 since the new HD rolled out, but I'm about to take on my first recruiting period in D3. I want to better understand the differences in recruiting between the two levels. Specifically:

1. I know some D3's target D1 recruits, but given that I'm taking over a C- school, should I just stick to D3 + D2 recruits?
2. Do you use hosted camps more or less at D3 compared to D2?

Any other thoughts welcome too.

I’ve been exclusively in D3 for about 15 seasons now and my recruiting strategy has remained the same for a while. I usually scout the surrounding states at the D1 level and then the state where my program is located at the D2 level. I usually end up signing mostly D1 players but there are usually some good ones in D2 as well. I have signed players as high as #70 in their position but that was when I had an A+ prestige, so it’s definitely possible to get to some of the higher guys but it takes some luck. I will usually target players around the 100 range at their position, but also will go after people in the 70-90 range if I think I have a chance. Let me know if you have any specific questions, good luck.

Also, don’t touch D3 players. I’ve never scouted one and there’s definitely enough D2 and D1 talent where you won’t have to worry about recruiting D3 players.

An interesting strategy some coaches have used with success is recruiting all D2 level recruits at D3. If you find the guys with high core potentials you can find dominate players. It’s a strategy I’m interested in trying.

But still, even with a C- prestige you will be able to recruit D1 guys. It just depends on your own strategy.

I’ve recently started experimenting with the all D2 recruiting approach for my D3 team. Having to wait until the last day for D1 recruits makes it very hard to have a viable backup plan because the decent players are gone by then. I did D1 only for a while and it worked, especially right after the conversion to the new/3.0 HD, but recently I’ve lost way more than I won and was left with too many holes in my roster. Many of my D1 targets would get scooped up as Plan B guys for the D1 schools in the second recruiting period before I could sign them. Too soon to judge success, but my initial thought is that D2 only works but you have to a) sort through a lot of trash to find the good ones, and b) be more patient with player development. As others have mentioned, the monster D2 guys tend to be very mediocre looking but tons of potential, so it takes a couple seasons and maybe a RS before they are good enough to start. But later in their career they are as good or better than any D1 player you would be likely to sign at D3.

The tradeoff you're going to have is the D2 players that you can get after session 1 will many times have far superior potentials to what you're going to find still on the scrap heap for D1 in the final 24 hours. I found I can reach the Sweet 16 fairly consistently going the all-D2 route, but as world populations sag, it is getting easier to snipe the occasional D1 that pans out better. The benefit you get from D1 kids is they start with higher ratings, so even though there's not much growth and the IQ is equivalent to a freshman, the ratings in the core areas might be similar to a junior if you were having to build a kid up, which can make a huge difference coming off the bench.

My perennial sweet 16 caliber (some bad sims in the tournament the last couple years) Stevens Tech is divided evenly between D2 internationals, and D1 very-locals. For whatever that’s worth.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Really helpful.