UCLA-committed RHP Coral Williams, #2 in the 2027 Line Drive Hot 100, blogged about her Sept. 1st experience from last year for Line Drive Media.

Here’s what she had to say about her recruiting experience and her advice for the Class of 2028:

*****

My name is Coral Williams and I am a 2027 high school graduate from Norco, California.

I am a pitcher and I play for Athletics Mercado.

Last year, I got the privilege of committing to UCLA.

That experience was one of the greatest of my life and I would love to share my experience and advice with you as a new group of recruits starting their recruiting process shortly.

I started my recruiting process when I attended my first camp in 8th grade. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend camps at nine different schools.

More so than a school being able to recruit me, I wanted to go to camps in order to discover what I was looking for in a college. It was my experience of going to camps that allowed me to be prepared and confident in what I wanted when September 1st came.

The night before September 1st, I prepped for my calls at midnight. I had a calendar so I could keep track of any possible visit dates or meetings. I kept a notebook next to me so I could write down any important or intriguing parts of my calls.

To prepare me to talk to coaches, I made a list of questions that I wanted to ask the coaches to address. I set up a place for my calls, waiting for the day that changed my life.

Just before midnight, I was unsettled and stressed. I worried about missing someone’s call because I was talking to another coach. It was extremely comforting to learn that coaches understand that the night is overwhelming, and competition between schools is a part of the process.

Don’t stress about missing calls; there will be plenty of time to talk, and it doesn’t all have to occur at midnight.

When I received my calls at midnight, I did not have long interactions that dove into the details of recruiting. Rather, I received short calls or texts that dealt with short interactions full of excitement and gratitude on both ends of the phone.

That night, I scheduled a time for a call within the next couple of days so that I could receive all of the information that I needed. I did not say “no” to a school if they called at midnight.

I kept my options open and was appreciative of any school that showed interest in me. Although it was very difficult, I went to bed at a decent hour so I could be fully engaged in my conversations the following morning.

In the days that followed my midnight experience, I took my scheduled calls to receive all information that was needed to make a decision of whether or not I wanted to take a visit to a school.

Saying “no” was very hard, but it is a part of the process.

Coaches were very grateful that I took the time to call them to decline their offers instead of text; I think this was one of the most important parts of my entire recruiting process.

On my calls, I asked for potential visit dates so that I could effectively plan out my weekends. When all of the schools were accounted for, I chose to go on visits to three schools. I kept in contact with the coaches of those schools throughout the rest of the week leading up to my first visit the upcoming weekend.

My first visit was to UCLA. I had been to three camps prior to September 1st, so I had already had the opportunity to work with the coaches and understand the culture of the school.

When I stepped on campus, I knew that it was where I was meant to be.

My weekend with the coaches and team reinforced my initial thoughts. I was scared to commit on my visit for fear of having to say no to the schools I had scheduled visits with, but I knew that no other experience would change my mind.

I committed to UCLA on the last night of my visit, and it was one of the greatest moments of my life.

It sounds cliche, but it is true. When you know, you know. Trust your gut through your recruiting process, and know that your heart will lead you in the right direction.

Everyone’s experience is different. September 1st is a big night, but it is only the beginning of a long road.

Do not stress about the outcome of the night, but rather look forward to the journey.

— Coral Williams, Norco High, Athletics Mercado and future Bruin