Athletes Should Develop A Year by Year Recruitment Plan

The college athletic recruitment process starts as early as freshman year of high school.  Below we have listed out the most important checklist items by year. 


9th grade


  • Get good grades - it is very hard to bring grades up, so start off on the right foot. 
  • Love your sport! And practice, practice, practice.
  • Start now with good decisions - stay out of trouble and lock down your social media
  • Create a social media account made solely for your athletic pursuits - post your game clips, practice, etc.. consistently.
  • Be realistic about your potential.  Ask your coach for an assessment.
  • Start coach outreach by filling out athletic forms and emailing the coaches.


10th grade


  • Make sure that you are on track with your core courses for NCAA eligibility.
  • Take the PSAT so that you can have a first test score assessment.
  • Begin creating an athletic resume.
  • Create your NCAA account for eligibility, update annually.
  • Continue getting good grades!  Did you know that coaches make many of the recruitment decisions on grades?
  • Ask your coaches for assessment and suggestions.  Showing your willingness to learn is invaluable in the recruitment process.
  • Practice in the off hours.


11th grade


  • Begin visiting colleges.
  • Strategically attend ID camps.
  • Ask your coach for introductions to college coaches and a recommendation letter (if needed).
  • Never close any doors.  Even with multiple coaches interested, it is okay to leave your options open as long as you are honest.
  • Check your core courses requirements again.
  • Keep the grades up! (Are you noticing the trend?) And take the official SAT or ACT
  • Continue with coach outreach.  Stay aware of the recruitment calendar process.
  • Keep practicing and ask for an assessment from your coach.


12th grade


  • This is the year to make sure you do not let up.  Grades.  Practice. Games.  Whether you are committed to play or not, now is not the time to let up.
  • If you have not yet been recruited, it is time to step up your efforts. Identify new programs for outreach, email coaches and tag their social media and keep working hard off the field as well! Revisit all of the tips from previous grades as well.



If you are not being recruited and your efforts seem to have stalled, there are always options. Check out this article on some other potential choices.


Share by: