How to get Recruited for Athletics (in HS)

Getting Recruited for Athletics: A Guide for High School Students

Playing sports in college can be a transformative experience, offering not only the chance to compete at a higher level but also the opportunity to receive an education and build lifelong skills. For many high school athletes, the dream of playing at the collegiate level requires a strategic approach to recruitment. This blog post will outline the reasons students should consider playing sports in college and provide detailed steps to navigate the recruitment process successfully.

Why Play Sports in College?

Participating in college athletics offers numerous benefits:

• Scholarship Opportunities: Over 3.6 billion dollars in athletic scholarships are distributed every year to roughly half of Division 1/Division II players

• Skill Development: Competing at the collegiate level helps athletes improve their skills and gain exposure to higher levels of competition.

• Networking: College sports provide connections that can lead to future career opportunities.

• Teamwork and Discipline: Playing sports fosters essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and time management.

• Community and Support: Being part of a team creates a sense of belonging and support that can enhance the college experience.

  
  

Steps to Get Recruited for College Athletics

If you're a high school athlete looking to get recruited, follow these detailed steps:

1. Register with the NCAA

https://www.ncsasports.org/how-do-you-get-recruited/college-recruit/ncaa-eligibility-center

Before you can be recruited, you must register with the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) if you plan to play at an NCAA Division I or II school. This involves:

• Creating an account on the NCAA Eligibility Center website.

• Providing your academic records and test scores.

• Paying the registration fee (this can be waived for financial reasons)

• At the end of 11th grade, ask your counselor to send your transcript to the NCAA eligibility center

• After April 1st of 12th grade, you can request your "final amateurism certification" to be able to play in college

• Have your counselor send your final transcript upon officially graduating from high school

  
  

2. Create a Highlight Reel

Compile a video showcasing your best plays. This highlight reel should be concise, ideally around 3-5 minutes, and include:

• Your best performances.

• Different angles and clips to provide a comprehensive view of your skills.

• Your stats and achievements in the video description.

  
  

3. Contact Coaches

1. Talk to your high school coach about what level of competition they think you should aim for. Your coach may have contacts at colleges where previous athletes they have worked with have been recruited

2. Based on your coach's input and your own research, begin contacting coaches early in high school. As the athlete, you are allowed to initiate contact via an email, letter, or phone call at any time (even in middle school if you wish)

3. Get your profile and athletic highlights on sites like MaxPreps, Hudl, or the National Collegiate Scouting Association. Some include free services and others have sliding scale fees depending on the extent of services you want. A great option is to just post your highlights on YouTube and include the URL in any correspondence with coaches to ensure they see it.

4. A new way to showcase your skills is on social media, typically Instagram or TikTok, where you can post highlights and accomplishments (coaches are actually allowed to DM you!) https://www.ncsasports.org/recruiting/contacting-college-coaches/social-media

5. If possible, play on an elite travel team in your sport(s) of choice. NCAA coaches often scout at regional or national tournaments where high-caliber athletes are competing against one another

6. Additionally, you can attend camps or showcases put on by collegiate coaches

   
   

4. Email Coaches Regularly

Maintain communication with coaches by sending periodic updates about your progress, including:

• Your performance in games or tournaments.

• Academic achievements, such as GPA or test scores.

• Any changes in your athletic status or injuries.

Email template to send to coaches: https://www.ncsasports.org/recruiting/contacting-college-coaches/email

5. Understand Recruiting Periods, Wait to be Contacted By Coaches

Each sport has specific recruiting periods when coaches are allowed to contact prospects. Familiarize yourself with these periods to ensure you are proactive during the right times. Key points include:

• Coaches cannot contact you until after your sophomore year of high school

• In other sports, the contact window doesn't begin until late summer/fall of junior year

• Just about every DI sport operates on a different recruiting calendar, and different periods include:

  
  

• Dead/Quiet periods when coaches cannot contact recruits.

• Evaluation periods when coaches can watch you compete, but no direct contact can be made

• Contact periods when coaches can communicate freely, making in-person, off-campus visits to a recruit

Recruiting calendars and guides: https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2018/5/8/division-i-and-ii-recruiting-calendars.aspx

6. Following the steps above should result in an Official Visit

Once you’ve gained interest from coaches, you may be invited for an official visit in your Junior or Senior year.

• An "official" visit is one financed by the school. These are typically only offered to top recruits. Each recruited athlete can only go on a total of five visits and cannot "officially" visit the same school more than once. There is no limit to how many schools DII and DIII recruits can visit.

• Visits are up to 48 hrs long and can include three meals a day, three tickets to a home sporting event, transportation, and lodging for the duration of your visit

• The coach will want to get to know you better as an individual. They will likely ask what other colleges are recruiting you and when you would be willing to commit if an offer is made. You should come with questions to ask the coach as well.

• You’ll tour the campus and athletic facilities.

• You’ll meet with the coaching staff and current players.

• You may have the opportunity to discuss scholarship offers.

  
  

7. Explore Scholarship Opportunities

Understanding the types of scholarships available is crucial. Scholarships can be:

• Full-Ride: Covers tuition, room, board, and fees.

• Partial: Covering only a portion of the costs.

• Academic: Based on academic performance, which can complement athletic scholarships.

  
  

8.Lastly, Commit!

• The earliest coaches in most sports can make a verbal scholarship offer is in August or September of a student's junior year

• At that point, a student can elect to reciprocate with a verbal commitment on their end

• The more formal commitment comes when a student is ready to sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) on National Signing Day. National Signing Day is actually a window of time of days/weeks and it varies by sport

• Signing an NLI removes your "free agent status," meaning no other school is allowed to actively recruit you after that point, so you want to be sure that a school you sign an NLI with is your number one choice. Signing an NLI guarantees that you will receive financial aid for a year in exchange for your athletic participation

Conclusion

Getting recruited for college athletics is a challenging but rewarding journey. By following these steps—registering with the NCAA, contacting coaches, and understanding the recruitment process—high school athletes can increase their chances of playing at the collegiate level. Remember that persistence, professionalism, and preparation are key to achieving your athletic dreams.