To understad the recruiting process you first need to understand college coaches and how they generally recruit for their programs. College coaches have different rosters needs from season to season depending on the level of competition, available roster spots, and what academic requirements they have to adhere to. Some put more emphasis on certain categories than others, but below are general catagories that are always factored in.
Athletic ability is usually the most important factor. College coaches are looking for the best and most talented athletes that they can sign. They will intitially always intake the athletic ability of an athlete along with their skill level. This is why it is important to work at being a good athlete and have skills (fundamentals of your sport) to match your physical ability. College coaches are not dismissive of great athletic ability coupled with raw skill level. But these types of recruits are rare and why if a college coach/evaluator feels an athlete's physical ability is too good to pass up even though their skill level needs development. They consider this a calculated risk worth taking.
Academics are the next main catagorie. Oftentimes, a college coach will recruit several athletes for the same roster spot. And they are more likely to offer that spot to the one with stronger academics and test scores because they are less likely to experience academic adminisssion issues, governing body eligibility issues and know they will have to spend less time monitoring this athlete's academic areas such as: class attendence, meeting with advisors and meeting degree requirements. At academically rigorous colleges, admission and maintaing a certain grade point average play a major factor in being able to sign the athlete no matter how talented the athlete is.
Character is highly important as well. When coaches are out evaluating talent, they like to observe how athletes interact with their teammates, opponents, coaches, team support staff, fans, teachers and their own parents to get an idea if the athlete will be a good fit maturity and personality wise along with having the needed professionalism to be productive during their time in the program, institution and local community.
Geographic Location can also factor in. Some programs have big budgets can recruit nationally and even globally, but other programs may only have the resources to recruit from certain regions and have a smaller pipeline to draw talent from to cut down on the expenses associated with recruiting. In this case, recruits from a certain region can have a leg up in recruiting process. This needs to be factored in when evaluating programs that you have interest in.
The recruiting timeline also plays a major role in the recruiting process. The better you understand it, the better off you will be in taking ownership over your recruiting.
Different sports at different division levels and ones that belong to different national governing bodies deal with different recruiting timelines. However, there are still some similarities across most sports. The NCAA has the most distinctive recruiting calendar, which outlines different recruiting dates that college coaches must follow. Again, it benefits you to know important dates so you can be prepared for recruiting opportunities.
With that said, many athletes across a variety of sports should follow suggested recruiting activities for each academic year. This includes:
Freshman year:
-Research different division levels and learn differences in competition, understanding NCAA recruiting rules, knowing measurables for your sport (40-yard dash, vertical jump, etc.), etc.
-Check in with your high school guidance counselor. Find your high school’s list of NCAA core courses, figure out which classes you can take your freshman year and make sure you have a plan to maintain your NCAA eligibility( which we will cover in its own lesson) as well as NAIA, other small college associations and junior college.
-Begin researching college rosters. (this will be covered in more detail in another lesson) This will provide insights on the type of athletes coaches look to recruit, where they recruit and the chances they will be recruiting your position during your senior year in high school—it also allows you to see what measurables and stats are needed to assist with being recruited.
-Enhance your financial literacy. Taking ownership means understanding the types of academic, athletic and financial aid that are offered at the different collegiate levels, and the differences between them.
-Keep Track of Important Dates. Especially review the NCAA D1 and D2 Recruiting Calendars if your goal is to compete at those levels and stay up-to-date on NCAA recruiting rules and updates.
-Work on your time management skills.
-Determine if club sports in the off-season are a good fit for your recruiting goals.
-Register with the NCAA and NAIA Eligibility Centers.
Sophomore year:
-Create a off-season training schedule that also includes finding college camps and exposure events that will effectively assist you in reaching recruiting goals. (Vett them throughly)
-Create or take the time to have a clean social media account.
-Upload your freshman year academic transcripts to your NCAA & NAIA EC accounts. And create a free profile page with the NCAA.
-Start to research and develop a gameplan for the PSAT.
-Building your athletic resume, compiling highlight video, contacting college coaches at levels that can already recruit (D3, NAIA, junior college), etc. Add a personal reflection statement that shows your true character.
-Continue to educate yourself on federal student aid eligibility and get a job in the off-season to help save money for college.
-Get familiar with NIL.
-Again, keep track of important recruiting dates and any NCAA recruiting rule changes or updates.
-Check in with your high school guidence counselor and make sure you are maintaining eligibility requirements for the NCAA and NAIA, etc.
Junior year:
-Prioritize contacting college coaches off the target list of colleges you created, etc.
-Register for your first ACT and SAT tests. No longer a NCAA eligibility requirement, but still maybe required for collegeiate admissions.
-Upload transcripts from your sophomore year to your NCAA & NAIA EC accounts.
-Assess and tweak your recruiting stragety.
-Keep track of important recruiting calendar dates.
-Check in with you H.S. Guidence Counselor.
-Narrow down your list of programs and start to follow them on social media along with the respective coaching staffs. Also, look to do virtual college tours or unofficial visits if it make sense.
-Continue to update highlight videos, player resume, college coaches contact history, etc.
-Update financial aid knowledge.
-Continue to improve your athletic skills and again only attend camps, events or play on off-season teams that make sense for you.
Senior year:
-Assess and tweak your recruiting gameplan.
-Update your NCAA & NAIA EC accounts with transcripts.
-Make sure your test scores meet admission requirements of schools you have interest in attending. Retake if needed.
-Offers are typically made by D1 college coaches junior year. If you haven’t received an offer, continue to contact college coaches and be ready to target lower division levels.
-Ramp up your self-marketing depending on your recruiting situation.
-Budget out your applications.
-Meet with your H.S. Guidence counselor on a regular basis to make sure you are hitting all the need marks.
-Request your final amateurism certification when the time comes.
-Keep up to date on the recruiting calendar and any changes.
-Have your NIL dialed in and be updated on any changes.
-Complete your FAFSA.
-Explore all your options and come up with contingency plans if needed.
*Again, this is a suggested guide to the recruiting timeline. By having this information and taking ownership you will create a plan that works best for you and adapt it as you navigate the recruiting landscape.
