Overview
- Rivals launched the Rivals Recruits program on Thursday and is charging $499 for a scout evaluation that is currently promoted at $399 and includes a scouting report, evaluation grade and “ranking consideration.”
- On3 founder Shannon Terry framed the move as a fix for a scouting shortfall, citing about 1.04 million high school football players versus roughly 6,600 Rivals-rated prospects and saying fees will let scouts review more film.
- Rivals and On3 say payment only buys access to the evaluation process and does not guarantee any specific rating, ranking or star designation, stating that ratings are earned rather than bought.
- Recruiting analysts and unnamed college general managers criticized the program as a potential cash grab and warned that charging families could create a de facto pay-to-play exposure market that favors those who can afford it.
- The rollout comes during broader shifts in the recruiting industry, including 247Sports’ recent change to internal rankings, and could increase pressure on families to pay for exposure without increasing the fixed number of college scholarships or roster spots.