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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!
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