Your kid wants to play college sports. Now what?
If you're here, you're probably confused about where to start. When do we reach out to coaches? What do they actually look for? Are those expensive showcases worth it?
As a former D1 coach and scout, I'm going to give you the straight truth about what aspiring college athletes need to do to get recruited—no fluff, no BS.
The Truth About College Recruiting
Here's what nobody tells you upfront: The best player doesn't always get the scholarship.
College recruiting isn't just about talent. It's about knowing the system and working it correctly.
Good news? It's completely learnable. Once you understand how it works, you can navigate it successfully—regardless of your kid's sport or skill level.
When Should You Start?
Short answer: Right now.
By Grade Level:
- Freshmen (2029): Learn the landscape, build skills, maintain grades. Recruiting activity: minimal.
- Sophomores (2028): Create highlight footage, start researching schools, build your target list. Recruiting activity: early awareness.
- Juniors (2027): GO TIME. Most recruiting happens now. Email coaches, attend camps, finalize your list. Recruiting activity: high intensity.
- Seniors (2026): Close deals or find remaining opportunities. Follow up aggressively, consider walk-ons. Recruiting activity: urgent.
Biggest mistake? Waiting until junior year to start learning about this process.
What College Coaches Actually Look For
Here's what matters (in order):
1. Can You Play at This Level?
Athletic ability, sport-specific skills, game IQ, coachability. But "ability" means fitting THEIR level—not just being the best on your high school team.
2. Will You Qualify Academically?
A 3.5 GPA opens more doors than elite athleticism with a 2.0 GPA. Coaches need players who'll graduate and not drag down team academics.
3. Do You Fit the Culture?
Are you coachable? Will you mesh with the team? Can you handle adversity? Every email and interaction shows them who you are.
4. Are You Actually Interested?
Generic mass emails get deleted. Coaches want athletes who've researched their program and genuinely want to be there.
The Recruiting Process: What to Do
Step 1: Build Your Target School List (30-50 Schools)
Ask yourself:
- What division fits my skill level? (D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO)
- What geographic area?
- What majors interest me?
- What's realistic financially?
Pro tip: The best fit might be a school you've never heard of. Don't just chase big names.
Step 2: Create Your Recruiting Materials
You need three things:
Highlight Video (2-3 minutes MAX)
- Best plays only
- Game footage, not practice
- Start with strongest clips
- Keep it SHORT
Athletic Resume
- Name, grad year, position, measurables
- GPA, test scores, honors
- Stats and achievements
- Contact info
Clean Social Media
- Coaches WILL check your profiles
- Keep it professional
Step 3: Send Personalized Emails
This fails:
"Dear Coach, I want to play for you. Watch my video. Thanks!"
This works:
"Coach [Name],
I'm a 2027 RHP from Texas throwing 87-89 mph. I've been following [School]'s season and was impressed by your 15-game winning streak.
I'm looking for a program that competes at a high level with strong [major] academics. [School] checks both boxes.
My measurables: 6'2", 185 lbs, 3.7 GPA, 1280 SAT
I'd love to discuss how I could contribute. My video: [link]
Johnny Smith | Class of 2027[Phone] | [Email]"
See the difference? Specific. Researched. Personal. This gets read.
Step 4: Attend the Right Showcases
Not all showcases are worth it. Look for:
- Events well-attended by coaches in YOUR target division
- Showcases that provide measurable data
- Events that match your skill level
Skip: Generic "all-star" camps with no real coach attendance.
Better: Attend camps at schools you're actually interested in.
Step 5: Follow Up Consistently
One email isn't enough.
Timeline:
- Initial email: Introduce yourself
- 2 weeks later: Performance update
- Monthly: New video, schedule, academic update
- After they watch you: Thank them, ask next steps
Key: Every email should provide value. Don't just "check in."
Biggest Recruiting Mistakes
Mistake #1: Waiting to Be Discovered
Unless you're elite, coaches aren't searching for you. Be proactive.
Mistake #2: Only Targeting Dream Schools
Build a realistic list with safety, target, and reach schools.
Mistake #3: Bad Highlight Videos
Long, boring videos don't get watched. Invest in quality.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Academics
A 2.0 GPA disqualifies you from most opportunities.
Mistake #5: Slow Responses
When coaches reach out, respond IMMEDIATELY.
Your Action Plan (Start Today)
This Week:
- Create a list of 30-50 target schools
- Update your athletic resume
- Clean up social media
- Gather footage for highlight video
This Month:
- Complete 2-3 minute highlight video
- Research 10 schools deeply
- Send personalized emails to those 10 schools
- Register for a showcase or camp
Ongoing:
- Maintain 3.0+ GPA (ideally 3.5+)
- Train consistently
- Respond to coaches within 24 hours
- Update highlight video every 3-4 months
The Bottom Line
Getting recruited isn't about being the most talented. It's about being the most prepared, proactive, and persistent.
You don't need to be perfect. You just need to:
- Understand the process
- Do the work
- Stay consistent
- Be coachable
Thousands of aspiring college athletes get recruited every year. You can be one of them.
Need More Help?
Take our free RECRUITING TIMELINE Quiz to assess where you are in your recruiting journey: Where Are You in the Recruiting Timeline?
Join 3,200+ families in our free community getting daily recruiting tips: Facebook Group or Follow my Instagram account
Want 1:1 coaching? We'll build your target list, review your materials, and create your exact recruiting plan. Book a call here.
About the Author:
Alex Swenson is a former Division 1 coach and scout who has evaluated thousands of athletes. He now helps families navigate college recruiting through Premier Athletes.
Keywords: aspiring college athletes, college recruiting, how to get recruited, college sports recruiting, recruiting process, athletic scholarships, college coaches, student athlete recruiting, recruiting timeline 2026
