Although the class of ‘25 has a few athletes who have already committed to play a sport at the collegiate level, there are several City high athletes who are still deciding where they want to take their athletic talents next year.  With their futures still undecided, these athletes talked about how their experiences with the recruitment process has been thus far. 

One promising prospect is Parker Sutherland. Sutherland, a 6’6 tight end for City High, has been a key player for City High football the past four years. Though he also plays basketball and baseball, Sutherland’s favorite sport is football because of the camaraderie and fun he and his teammates have on and off the field. Sutherland is a prospect in the class of ‘25, due to his size and skill set. “I began looking at recruitment freshman year and have been working on improving in all aspects of my game since then.” Sutherland said. “My dad and Coach Moore have helped me a lot. I’ve gotten faster, stronger, and better with my hands.” 

Since freshman year, Sutherland has picked up a few offers from high level colleges, as well as going on many junior days and visits. Sutherland feels the recruiting process is difficult, as exciting as it is. “Dealing with constant communication from lots of schools can be stressful.”

As Sutherland has gained interest from a number of schools, he discussed what schools are most appealing to him.

“My top schools are Northern Illinois, South Dakota State, and Iowa State. I really like those school’s fan bases, facilities, and their use of tight ends.” 

Narrowing down these schools is not easy for Sutherland. Sutherland says it’s challenging for him to say no to coaches who he has “built relationships with.” When thinking about committing, Sutherland is in no rush.  “My friend was pressured to commit early and later de-committed. It’s a really important decision to make. I’ll commit when the time feels right.” He said.

As Sutherland is in the midst of his last high school football season, he says it is “very exciting” to think about his future in football.  

Emmy McComas is another talented prospect. McComas is a 6’0 all around player for the Little Hawk volleyball squad. Although McComas “dabbles” in a few other sports, volleyball is her specialty. She loves volleyball because of the overall thrill the game brings her. McComas is being recruited in the class of ‘25, and has always had a goal of playing volleyball in college. 

McComas has given a lot of thought to continuing her sport at the next level. “A sport in college is really a job, you need to be able to go somewhere that is giving you the correct amount of money, the playing time you want, and obviously, the culture and environment at those colleges is super important.” Considering all these factors, McComas is not sure if she will be playing her sport in college.

Nonetheless, McComas is getting recruited constantly. “It’s just tons and tons of emails and film and it’s very stressful. I will be so relieved when the recruiting process is over.”

As McComas talks with a variety of different schools, she believes that learning about each school’s environment she speaks to is important.

“How the coaches respond, and how they interact with me is a huge factor in if I want to go to that school or not.” 

McComas feels that the most crucial elements of where she wants to go are “where it’s located, the campus, the program’s environment, and their record and past in history.”

Although a few of her teammates on her club team, Iowa Rockets, have committed to their chosen schools to pursue their sport, McComas is not stressed about making her decision. She has one undisclosed school in mind, and will make her decision when the time is right.

“Honestly, I’ve never had a timeframe, because if it happens, it happens. If the right opportunity comes that I want to take, I can take it. But I also know I don’t have to if I don’t want to.”

Jaxton Schroeder, a 6’5 pitcher and first baseman for City High baseball, is one of the top players in his class. Transferring in from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Schroeder moved to Iowa City to “train and compete at a higher level.” Schroeder has done just that the past two years at City High, and helped lead the Little Hawks to the state tournament last season, where they fell short in the second round. 

Schroeder has been playing baseball for as long as he can remember. “It’s what I’ve always done. I mean, it’s basically my whole life.” 

Schroeder has always had dreams of playing baseball in college, and those dreams look very promising for the senior. 

“Recruiting picked up going into my sophomore year. That fall, I got two Division 1 offers, and I had an interest from multiple division ones, and then it kind of dwindled off. I didn’t have a good season that next year, and then this year, a lot of the JUCO’s have rolled in, and that’s what I’m gonna do.”  

Although he plans to begin at a JUCO, Schroeder’s goal remains to play Division 1 baseball. 

“The plan is to go to JUCO for a year or two, and then hopefully go to a four year [school].” 

Schroeder is currently unsure which JUCO he will be attending. When making this decision, Schroeder says a crucial part of the program he chooses is, “the coaching and how they’re going to develop me. The connection coaches have with players, and the relationship that they have with other coaches is huge.”

As Schroeder’s recruitment comes to an end, he reflects on if the process was enjoyable for him. 

“Recruitment was pretty easygoing for me. I have an easy time talking to people, especially coaches, so that helps.” 

We will have the chance to watch Schroeder in one last City High baseball season this coming summer, and he also plans to play basketball this winter “just to have some fun my senior year.”