How to Get Recruited for Collegiate Sports

• By Brandon Ogle

The dynamics of recruiting in the collegiate sports landscape has

changed greatly over the years. In today’s world, many college coaches

travel all around the United States and sometimes into other countries

looking for talented individuals to add to their team. For a high school

athlete, this whole process can seem a bit overwhelming. This article

will ensure you are in a perfect position to get recruited without any

trouble.

NCAA Eligibility

Long before you even step foot on a college campus, you’ll want to make

sure there won’t be any issues when it comes to eligibility. The

eligibility standards tend to fluctuate, so you’ll want to keep up on these

to prevent any surprises later on. The solution to this is a rather simple

one: listen to what your high school academic counselor tells you. Take

the classes that they say you must take to put you in a position where

eligibility issues won’t be an issue.

Once you’re in the right spot in regards to classes, you then need to

register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. In order to complete this

process, you’ll need to fill out the online registration, pay the fee and

submit ACT/SAT scores and an official high school transcript. Don’t

make the stupid mistake of failing to achieve this certification as it can

cost you the opportunity to play collegiately.

Highlight Video

When producing your highlight recruiting video, it is important to not

submit a low-quality video. It may even be worth the investment to hire

a videographer to ensure it is of solid quality. Another piece of advice is

to keep it simple, but include enough footage that accurately shows your

designated skills. You need to convince coaches that your skillset can

provide use to their team. As for getting your video out there, you can

post it on YouTube or use a website like Recruit Reels. Many people have

found success in the recruiting process through sites like Recruit Reels.

On their website, they state “Video is the most compelling resource for

recruiters and our videos provide more than simply highlights – we also

include workout footage, player interviews, stats and coach

testimonials.”

Get the Video to Coaches

Once your video is completed, it is time to get your footage out to

coaches and schools. In today’s landscape, you’re likely safe to begin

getting your name out there by the start of you sophomore season. Your

options for contacting the coaches are plentiful as well. You can mail the

DVD to a coach or e-mail a link to them. However, don’t forget to include

contact information in this message. Another possibility for this initial

contact would be speaking with the coach via phone. Some might favor

this more personal approach.

Making Lists

One way to get an idea of various schools you might be interested in is

to create a list of dream schools, realistic ones, and fallback options. This

should likely be done earlier on in the process to get an idea of the

coaches you should contact. It will not be nearly as overwhelming if you

only have about 15 schools to look at rather than a couple hundred. The

list may take some research and possibly change from year-to- year, but

it can definitely serve as a nice basis to go off of when you’re getting

started.

Research, Research, Research

Everything can’t be learned about a college from a simple campus visit.

Sometimes, as the player, you’ll need to do some researching on your

own. There is plenty of ways to do so, particularly with the amount of

information available online. Take advantage of this so you don’t end up

making an unnecessary mistake. Research can be completed in the early

stages by checking out the school’s website and reading reviews about

the school online. It can also be utilized through contacting former

players through social media to hear about their experiences at the

school or with a particular coach. Finally, it may be valuable to get an

idea of how much playing time you’ll receive early in your career. Some

players may be more willing than others to sacrifice playing time early

in their collegiate career.

Get Advice from your High School Coach

For many high school athletes, there is plenty of value that can come

from getting advice from your high school coach. By doing so, you can

get an assessment on what level you’re best suited for this. Do you have

the talent to compete in Division I or is a lower league, like the NAIA,

more appropriate? These are questions a high school coach can provide

assistance in. In addition to this, it wouldn’t hurt to ask your high school

coach for a recommendation or promotion to some of the college

coaches of the schools you have interest in.

Showcase your Talents at Camps

For athletes from smaller high schools, it can be difficult to get noticed

by Division I schools even if you may have the talent. One potential way

to get recognition is through attending sports camps. Not only do they

put you in the presence of college coaches, but they can also serve as a

valuable tool for developing your own personal skills. The key is to

come to these events prepared because you never know whom you’ll

meet or give a first impression to. Just make sure this first impression is

a positive one.

Make the Best Choice for You

For those athletes that receive multiple offers, it is important to make

the choice that fits you best. While the athletic aspect of this decision is

a major one, it shouldn’t be the only one. Think about the financial

aspect. Who’s offering you a full-ride and who’s proposing a partial

scholarship? Keep in mind the type of person you are. Will the academic

and personal development aspect suit your interests? Finally, how will

you respond to the coaching and playing time situation? Going back to

the research, make sure you’re choosing a place that will put you in an

enjoyable place on the road to success.

Stay Focused

The entire collegiate recruiting process can be a lengthy one. For some

athletes, it may span through one’s entire high school career. Through it

all, stay focused and make sure no eligibility will arise during your

freshman season of college. Just keep in mind that there are always

people who can assist you in the process, whether it be high school

coaches, family members, or former players. Take advantage of your

resources!