Getting your star players ready for college recruitment season
Many high school athletes would love to move on to the next level in athletics.
Whether it's in basketball, football, soccer, tennis, volleyball or whatever, what athlete doesn’t want to receive an athletic scholarship to play in college?
Although some say the odds are slim that a college will recruit you, there are steps you can take to increase your visibility.
1. Getting Started Early!
If you’re a high school freshman and your reading this, you’re on the right track. The earlier you get started, the better chance you have of being recruited by college coaches.
Be sure to check that you’re class schedule meets the NCAA’s and NAIA's updated requirements, and keep up with your grades and grade point average to ensure that you meet standards for college entrance.
2. Reaching Out To Coaches
Dedicated Student-Athletes” should call, email, and send letters directly to college coaches.
There are so many players on the recruiting radar of these schools, so personal letters or emails really help you stand out. But don't expect an response right away or from the head coach. College still have a system in place for how the deal with recruiting.
Most coaches email addresses or mailing addresses can be found on the school’s athletic web page.
3. Create free recruiting profiles!
Although some athletes prefer to pay the big bucks for recruiting companies to keep their information out, simple and free recruiting sites, like berecruited.com, can get your name out there as well.
If you keep your profile updated, you’d be surprised at the amount of interest you can receive from college coaches just by joining a free program.
4. Prospect Questionnaire.
Most colleges have a prospect questionnaire page on their websites. Fill these out so they get a chance to learn more about you. They can get you in touch with the right people in admissions for you to get more information about the school. They may also invite you out to a summer camp.
5. KEEP YOUR GRADES UP!
Your athletic ability is an extremely vital part of the recruiting trail, but your academic success is what's most important!
No coach is going to show any interest in you if your test scores, GPA, and class rank are not up to par. Focus on the classroom.
6. Don’t Get Discouraged!
Even if you’re a senior without any recruiting interest, it’s never too late. Get your film out to college coaches, and start making those phone calls and emails as soon as possible!
If things don’t work out at the end of your senior season, there is always the Junior College route.
However, you can also try to walk-on at a bigger institution as well.
The most important thing you can do to help your cause on the recruiting trail is to be visible. Get your film out there, and initiate contact with college coaches as often as you can. Keep your social media pages clean of profanity and negative talk about life or your current team or teammates, no crazy pictures that could give you a bad image, and give 100% effort in both the classroom and in your sport.
