The College Recruiting Process: Step-by-Step

Phase 0: Before high school (optional but helpful)

1. Try multiple sports and positions.

2. Learn basic strength, mobility, and nutrition habits.

3. Start a simple “brag sheet” you’ll update later: teams, stats, awards, GPA.

Phase 1: Freshman year (9th)

1. Set your academics up. Take college-prep core classes and keep grades up. NCAA DI/DII eligibility requires 16 NCAA-approved core courses completed over 8 semesters. (NCAA)

2. Create your athlete hub.

   • A Google Drive or link page with transcript, schedule, stats, measurables, coach contacts, highlight video, and best game film.

3. Baseline video. Film clean reps in practice or games. Keep clips short and labeled.

4. Light school list. 10–15 schools you’d love by fit: academics, location, playing level, cost.

5. Character and digital footprint. Clean social media and set handles to your name + grad year.

Phase 2: Sophomore year (10th)

1. Update the hub with new grades, stats, and clips.

2. Build a real target list. 20–40 schools across “reach,” “match,” and “safe” levels. Track head coach, recruiting coordinator, email, phone, camps, and academic averages.

3. Register where needed.

   • NCAA Eligibility Center account if you’re aiming at DI/DII. (NCAA.org)

   • NAIA athletes create a PlayNAIA account. (play.mynaia.org)

   • JUCO hopefuls read NJCAA basics. (njcaa.org)

4. Camps and showcases. Choose events where coaches from your target schools will attend.

5. Coach intro email (you can send any time; coaches’ reply timing depends on your sport’s rules—see “Calendars” below). (NCAA.org)

Coach intro email templateSubject: 2027 [Position] | [Your Name] | [High School/Club]Body:

• One sentence on who you are, grad year, position, measurables.

• One sentence on academics (GPA, intended major).

• One sentence on why this school is a fit.

• One sentence with schedule link and highlight link.

• One sentence with HS and club coach contacts.Close with thanks and your phone number.

Phase 3: Key contact dates before junior year

• Recruiting calendars are sport-specific. Many sports allow direct coach contact starting June 15 or Sept 1 of junior year, but the exact dates differ. Always check your sport’s official NCAA calendar. (NCAA.org)

Action: Two weeks before your sport’s first contact date, send updates to your top schools and invite them to watch you play.

Phase 4: Junior year (11th)

1. Academics first. Keep core-course GPA strong. Standardized tests are not required for NCAA DI/DII initial eligibility, but colleges may still need them for admission or scholarships. Check school policies. (NCAA.org)

2. Film that wins 30 seconds. Make a 3–4 minute highlight with best 6–8 plays first. Add jersey number, position, and your contact on the opening frame.

3. Consistent coach outreach. Send a short update after every big game or new PR: stat line, next dates, highlight link.

4. Visits.

   • Unofficial visits: you pay; schools cannot cover your costs. (NCAA.org)

   • Official visits: schools can pay approved expenses. Prospects can now take unlimited official visits overall, but only one per school unless there is a head-coach change. (NCAA.org)

5. Camps with purpose. Prioritize camps at your target schools or where those staffs work.

6. NIL basics. NIL is allowed. Follow your state, school and conference rules. Do not accept “pay for play” or recruiting inducements. Disclose deals per school policy. (NCAA.org)

Phase 5: Senior year (12th)

1. Narrow your list. Compare role, fit, roster depth, academics, and total cost.

2. Offers and options.

   • Athletic scholarship, academic aid, need-based aid, or preferred walk-on.

   • Verbal commitments are non-binding. Your agreement becomes binding when you sign the school’s athletics financial aid agreement and any required documents used by that program. Confirm with the school’s compliance office what you will sign and the exact signing period for your sport. (NCAA.org)

3. Know your sport’s signing window. Dates vary by sport and year; check the current season’s official list before you plan a ceremony. (NCAA.org)

4. Finalize eligibility.

   • Send final transcripts and proof of graduation to the NCAA Eligibility Center or PlayNAIA. (NCAA.org)

5. Financial aid. Complete FAFSA and any school forms as soon as they open. Ask about academic or need-based stacking with athletic aid.

6. Pre-arrival. Do medicals, compliance forms, housing, and summer training plan.

Always-on habits that win recruiting

1. Communicate like a pro. Be polite, on time, and concise. Reply to every coach.

2. Track everything. Keep a simple spreadsheet: school, coach contact, last touch, feedback, camp dates, costs, aid offer, academic deadlines.

3. Play the long game. Improve one measurable every 6–8 weeks: speed, strength, or a technical skill.

4. Control what you can. Grades, effort, attitude, and film quality are always in your control.

Quick guides and cheat sheets

One-page player profile (what to include)

• Name, grad year, position, height/weight, handedness or foot.

• School, city/state, club.

• Measurables and verified times.

• Coach contacts.

• GPA, test scores if you have them, intended major.

• Links: highlight, full game, schedule, social.

Highlight video recipe

1. Title card with name, position, number, school, contact.

2. 6–8 best plays first.

3. Label each clip with context.

4. 15–20 total clips max.

5. End with schedule and contact again.

Voicemail script for coaches“Coach [Last Name], this is [Your Name], [Position], class of [Year] from [HS/Club] in [City, State]. I’m calling to share my new highlight and schedule. I will email both to you now. My number is [###]. Thank you for your time.”

Email update subject lines

• “Update: 2027 OF | 3-for-4 with HR | Schedule link”

• “New PR: 100m in 10.92 | Meet video + next races”

Special situations

Division III

• No NCAA academic certification; international DIII prospects still complete amateurism in the Eligibility Center. Work directly with admissions and the team. (NCAA.org)

NAIA

• All first-time NAIA athletes must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center at PlayNAIA.com. (play.mynaia.org)

JUCO route (NJCAA)

• Learn enrollment and credit requirements; stay full-time and in good standing to keep eligibility. (njcaa.org)

Transfer and the portal

• If you ever transfer, know the portal windows are sport-specific and there are new rules for immediate eligibility when academic progress standards are met. Talk to compliance first. (NCAA.org)

Where to check the latest rules and dates

• NCAA recruiting calendars by sport, updated every year. (NCAA.org)

• Official visit rule summary and “one per school” limit. (NCAA.org)

• NCAA Eligibility Center guide and resources. (NCAA.org)

• NAIA Eligibility Center (PlayNAIA). (play.mynaia.org)

If you want, I can turn this into:

• a printable checklist,

• a spreadsheet tracker with built-in filters, or

• a one-page “Recruiting 101” for your beige-themed site.