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Some recruits never get to experience a home visit from a college coach. For Ben Shelton, Frank Thompson, Gavin Young and Ashe Ray, it’s a daily occurrence. Their future coaches sleep just down the hallway, pay for all their food and provide their transportation.

All four high-profile recruits have committed to play for their fathers in college. Shelton will play for his father, Bryan, at Florida. Thompson will play for his father, Jim, at Virginia Tech. Young will play for his father, Geoff, at Minnesota, and Ray will play for his father, Rod, at Wofford.

The four are celebrating Father’s Day knowing they will be spending a lot more time with their dads during college than most kids. They prefer it that way.

"My dad was such a big influence and role model for my game growing up and playing for him was always my dream,” said Young, a blue chip 2020 recruit. “I have always thought a lot about playing on home courts at Minnesota and how cool it would be to have a chance to represent the school. Now that I have a chance to do it, I am really glad I took the opportunity."

Having their dad as a coach will be nothing new for Shelton, Thompson, Young and Ray. They have been taking lessons from them since they first picked up rackets. The four grew up around the college programs they coached and benefited from their knowledge.

"He knows everything about my game and knows me really well,” said Shelton, a blue chip 2021 recruit. “I feel like I would have had to completely start over if I went somewhere else and create a new relationship with that coach, whereas with my dad it would be continuous and we can keep going and improving."

Being recruited by a parent doesn’t adhere to the normal protocol. "I never got an official email," Young joked. But the fathers tried to still make it special for their sons and not rob them of the full experience. Some had assistant coaches call to help pursue them and answer questions.

Thompson’s father didn’t want him to feel any pressure, and gave him space to make his decision. Thompson spoke with his high school guidance counselor and political science professors at Virginia Tech to discuss his educational goals. Once he was confident about the curriculum at VT, he cancelled a visit to Harvard.

He told his father he was committing to the Hokies when he came into his room to say goodnight on a random night.

"What really made me choose Virginia Tech was my dad and playing for him,” said Thompson, a five-star 2021 recruit. “All along that was my biggest dream, and being able to realize that was very special. I wanted to stay home and contribute to the program my dad had already built.”

Despite knowing the programs intimately, the sons took official visits to learn more about the entire school. Ray’s father took him to breakfast wearing official Wofford gear and they rode around campus together.

"I knew the athletic side and all the people in the athletic department growing up there, but I had never really seen the academic side,” Ray said. “That was really cool for me to find out about that."

Ray and his father were at a Level 2 National event in Rome, Georgia when he committed. He was stretching in their hotel room after a match.

"I told him I am going to play at Wofford. He was like, 'Really? When did you decide that?' I told him about five minutes ago,” said Ray, a five-star 2020 recruit. “He said, 'Alright, awesome. Call your mom and let's go get some ice cream,' and that was pretty much it."

Young’s father encouraged him to explore other schools and not feel obligated to attend Minnesota. He took official visits to Texas, Michigan and Ohio State, but his heart was set on being a Gopher. His official commitment was made at a well-known family gathering spot.

"I just kind of announced it at the dinner table while we were having dinner,” Young said. “My mom and dad were screaming with joy, so that was a cool moment. It was cool for all of us, even my younger brother and sister."

Shelton also made his decision at the dinner table after returning from an official visit to Stanford.

"He asked me if I wanted to make any other visit, and I told him honestly I think Florida is the place for me. That is where I want to go,” Shelton said. “He asked if I wanted to commit, and I'm like 'Yeah. I want to commit.' That is how it happened and I posted it on Instagram the next day."

No matter how close the relationship is, playing for a parent in college isn’t easy. There will often be accusations of nepotism by some. But the credentials of Thompson, Young, Shelton and Ray speak for themselves. They could have gone to many other major schools by ranking alone.

"I knew I was good enough to play at Florida and he knew that I was too. Hopefully when I come in, even people who have their doubts because I am the coach's son, hopefully the way I play when I'm on the team shows something different,” Shelton said. “My dad has never really shown favoritism toward me. If anything, I think he would be harder on me than the other guys on the team."

Young is prepared for any blowback he may receive.

"I feel like there is going to be drama somewhere along the road, whether it comes down to lineups and why is he playing?” Young said. “I don't want to sound cocky, but I think I deserved a spot on the team and worked really hard for it, so I don't think it will be too hard of an issue. I think if I just show up and work people will respect that."

Thompson initially had reservations about how playing for his dad would be perceived. But he knows his father will always “tell it to me straight” and coach him the right way to make him better. It’s what he has always done.

"The biggest gift he has ever given me is just his support and unconditional love,” Thompson said. “No matter what happens on the court or in the classroom, he is going to be there for me and support me in every way possible. I am excited for that to continue through my collegiate career as well."

Shelton is grateful for the life lessons his dad taught him through sports, and the way he’s handled his dual roles.

"With our father-son relationship and tennis, it could have gone to a bad place with him coaching me and being in that environment every day,” Shelton said. “But he did a very good job about knowing when to be coach and when to be dad and have the right balance. I thank him for that.”

Ray is proud to have watched all the players go through his father’s program over the years and leave Wofford as better people because of his mentorship.

"My dad is the best. He is a great coach and has amazing character,” Ray said. “Any player has a good experience with him for the most part. I am kind of biased obviously, but I have so much respect for what he’s done."

Ray, Shelton, Young and Thompson hope their relationships with their fathers can grow even stronger in college. They anticipate making memories they will look back on for years to come.

The four all have plans to spend time with their dads for Father’s Day, whether it’s taking a bike ride, golfing or hiking.

Thompson’s career goal is perhaps the ultimate demonstration of gratitude. He wants to stay in the family business.

"My dream job is to coach at Virginia Tech after my dad retires,” he said. “Obviously, a lot has to happen with the timing and everything. But that has been my dream for quite a while."

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About Rhiannon Potkey

Rhiannon Potkey is a veteran sportswriter with more than two decades of experience in journalism. Potkey has covered many sports at many levels and has a passion for finding great stories. Potkey has covered the U.S. Open, junior sectional and national events, college conference championships and Davis Cup matches. Potkey is currently Content Strategist for Tennis Recruiting. You can reach Rhiannon by email at [email protected].