Since HS season overlaps with college -HS means very little for recruiting. Club coach can be a help but not all are. Top clubs are only worried about top recruits for their instagram posts. I coach club and get calls about players a lot. They already have interest but want to know more about character, family, work ethic etc. Yes you are right about Sept. 1 -being on your own. No college out of the blue is going to contact you because they saw you play for 5 minutes. They will have to see you over and over and at prospect camps.