Recruiting Tips

Focus: Development & Academics

• Prioritize technical skill development and game understanding.
• Find the right coach and environment that will help you improve and prepare for the next level.
• Build strong academic habits and track your GPA from day one. College coaches value strong academics because they create more opportunities, including academic scholarships.
• Begin collecting game footage and start building a highlight video.
• Start researching colleges, programs, and divisions that may fit your level.
• Create an initial list of 20–40 target schools.
• Fill out college recruiting questionnaires on program websites.
   

Players may begin researching and attending college ID camps as freshmen for development and experience.

Before attending an ID camp, it is strongly recommended that players:

• Email the coach to introduce themselves
• Let the coach know they are interested in the program
• Inform them they are planning to attend their ID camp
   

This increases the chance that the coach will know who you are and evaluate you during the camp.

For NCAA Division I and Division II, players may:

• Email coaches
• Send highlight videos
• Fill out recruiting questionnaires
• Attend college ID camps or prospect camps
   

However, coaches cannot have recruiting conversations until June 15 after the sophomore year of high school. Before that date, coaches may only send limited information such as camp details or questionnaires.

Programs in Division III, NAIA, and Junior College typically have less restrictive recruiting rules, so communication may occur earlier.

✅ Goal: Build a strong foundation academically and athletically.

Focus: Exposure & Preparation

• Continue focusing on technical development, tactical understanding, and consistency in your performance.
• Update your highlight video with recent game footage.
• Refine your list of 20–40 target schools across different divisions.
• Begin building a soccer résumé that includes:
  • Club team and league
  • Position
  • Graduation year
  • GPA
  • Contact information
  • Coach contact information
• Fill out recruiting questionnaires for schools you are interested in.
• Continue emailing coaches with updates, highlight video, and your tournament schedule.
• Attend ID camps and college prospect camps where you are interested in playing.
• Take the PSAT (if applicable).
• Consider registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center if you are interested in playing Division I or Division II soccer.
   

📅 June 15 after Sophomore Year

For NCAA Division I and Division II soccer, college coaches are allowed to begin direct recruiting communication, including:

• Phone calls 
• Text messages
• Emails
• Social media messages
   

Before this date, coaches cannot respond with recruiting conversations.

✅ Goal: Prepare your recruiting materials and begin building connections with college programs.

Focus: Offers & Active Recruiting Phase

Junior year is typically the most important year in the recruiting process.

• Continue updating your highlight video and game footage.
• Email coaches regularly with updates on performance and interest.
• Send coaches your tournament and showcase schedules.
• Attend major showcases and recruiting events where college coaches will be present.
• Take the SAT or ACT.
• Schedule unofficial visits to campuses you are interested in.
   

📅 August 1 before Junior Year

For NCAA Division I and Division II soccer, players may begin taking official and unofficial visits to college campuses.

Many Division I scholarship offers occur between the summer before junior year through the end of junior year, as coaches begin forming their recruiting classes.

Coaches will evaluate:

• Your playing level
• Academic fit
• Character and work ethic
• Positional needs for their future roster
   

✅ Goal: Build strong relationships with coaches and position yourself for scholarship or roster opportunities.

Focus: Finalizing Opportunities

• Narrow your list of schools to the best academic and athletic fits.
• Continue communicating with coaches and sending updates.
• Take official visits if invited by programs.
• Complete college admissions applications.
• Submit all required paperwork to the NCAA Eligibility Center if playing Division I or II.
• Discuss scholarship opportunities and roster spots once mutual interest is established.
   

• Continue reaching out to programs that may still have roster availability.
• Send updated game film and schedules.
• Consider additional pathways such as:
  • Junior College programs
  • Gap year options
  • Walk-on opportunities
     

Many players still find strong opportunities late in the recruiting process.

✅ Goal: Secure the right fit academically, athletically, and personally.