Tennessee-bound RHP Kaylee Hodges, #1 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:

*****

September 1, for me, was the most insane experience I have ever had in my life and I mean that in the best way possible.

Once 12 a.m. rolled around I had two thoughts in mind: the first was to text Coach Brian (Bowman) and tell him happy birthday since it fell on the same day as our recruitment process, the second was to then respond to the coaches who would text/call me thinking that it wouldn’t be too many since it’s only 12 a.m., but, oh boy, was I wrong.

As soon as 12 a.m. hit, I had calls, on top of texts, on top of emails to respond to.

I did my best to respond to each, which I believe I did before I fell asleep that night, eventually getting in bed around 3 a.m.

The next morning, my first phone call was at 8 a.m. with the University of Tennessee, which is the program I am currently committed to.

If I could give any advice to anyone about September 1, it would be to be yourself. The coaches want to get to know who you are as a person, not a fake version of you trying to impress them.

All my life, I’ve never felt like I had to impress someone, because my parents always taught me that I will impress the right people by being myself.

I found that managing a schedule for calls was a lot easier if I wrote it down and if I wrote the school/coaches that are at the program next to the time slot so that way I sort of knew what I was talking about when going into the call, haha.

Having a few general questions to ask the coaches as well was very helpful, I also had these written down. The favorite by a lot of coaches was definitely the question:

“If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?”

It forced the coaches to think, but it also gave me a better understanding as to who they are on and off the field. I would advise anyone going into this day to just remember to be proud of themselves and to soak it all in.

The beginning of my recruitment process feels like yesterday.

All of the visits I went on were so fun and I got to meet a ton of new people to, which I still have connections and friendships with to this day. I advise everyone to appreciate what they have in front of them and to live in the present.

The journey of it all was so fun and extremely quick, but my journey is not close to over. It’s just beginning.

During the time I was getting recruited by schools, I just remember how thankful I was that I had each opportunity that was provided by hard work and by the people that I have around me.

I would first like to thank my parents for every opportunity they have and continue to provided me with that allowed me to get me to where I am today, and I would also like to thank the good Lord above because he is the one who pushed me through my toughest times and was always there for me.

My note I want to make for the 2028s is that you guys have got this!!

Try to calm the nerves by taking deep breaths and by knowing that you are interviewing the coaches just as much as they are interviewing you!!!!

It goes by fast, remember to live in the moment, have fun and BE YOURSELF. The right people will love you for YOU!

God has the best plan for your life overall and everything will happen as it should. Good luck to everyone!

— Kaylee Hodges, #7