Own Your Recruiting Process
Take Ownership of Your Recruiting Process Today!
Are you a high school student-athlete who wants to continue their academic and athletic career at the next level? If so, then you have come to the right place. Are you ready to take ownership of the recruiting process from day 1?
As a prospective student-athlete who has aspirations of playing intercollegiate sports, one of the first things you must do is to commit to the process. What does that mean?
1)Commit to making academics a priority
2)Commit to your sport
3)Commit to the recruiting process.
- Make Academics a Priority - Student First, Athlete Second. College Coaches are looking for well rounded student-athletes who have a great attitude and high moral character. Student-Athletes do not need to be straight A students but coaches need to see that students are taking their academics seriously. For students who struggle with the transition into High School do they show improvement from freshmen year to their junior and senior year. Coaches want to know that when you arrive on campus you will be able to handle the academic demands and responsibility of being a college student-athlete.
- Commit to your Sport - We also call this committing to your craft. When college coaches are evaluating talent they are typically trying to measure your potential. How good could you be in 1 or 2 years. As a prospective student-athlete you want to do everything you can to increase your potential throughout the recruiting process. There are 4 pieces in successfully committing to your craft that will help elevate your performances.
- KNOW YOUR SPORT - Coaches want athletes who are students of the game. Athletes who eat, sleep, and breathe their sport. What does being good at your sport mean? What are the attributes of a successful athlete in your sport? You should have an understanding of the skills / traits required. What are the technical aspects? What are the tactical or strategy aspects?
- KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES -
The first tip is knowing your own self-awareness in regards to your sport. What are the best things about your game? What are the things that need improvement? When you identify these things than you’re able to focus more on the things where improvement is necessary. That doesn’t mean you stop refining the skills you do have.
- SKILL ACQUISITION - It’s time to start developing or refining your skill set. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. It’s all about repetition. Repetition leads to muscle memory. Skills like kicking a soccer ball, or shooting a jump shot, throwing a football are perfect examples of skills where repetition of those skills will lead to mastering those skills.
- FIND A COACH OR MENTOR - Do you know someone who has already paved the road to where you want to go? Reach out to other athletes or coaches you have had in the past that can help you. A mentor can provide support, confidence, direction, and space to discover things on your own.
3. Commit to the Process - Playing college sports is an incredible experience but it is an opportunity that must be earned. In order to reach that level you have to put in the work. And for something as great as playing a sport you love in college it is worth it. WORK = TIME. In order to fully commit to this process you must do these 3 things
- INVEST TIME - Once you decide that you want to play your sport in college you must block or schedule time dedicated to this process. Every week you should commit 30-60 minutes to the recruiting process. Your time will be dedicated to doing things like researching potential schools and programs, filling out recruiting questionnaires, contacting college coaches, creating recruiting videos, and much more.
- TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION STEPS - You should create a plan on how you would like this process to go. A game plan will help you stay organized throughout this process. There are actionable steps that are required as you navigate through this process.
- Build a List of Schools
- Research Schools and Programs
- Create a Marketing Portfolio
- Contact College Coaches and maintain regular communication
- Attend Tournaments, College Showcases, ID Camps, and Clinics
- Visit College Campuses
- FIND YOUR COLLEGE FIT -There are thousands of schools to choose from but it is important that you find the one that will be the right fit for you, academically, athletically, and personally. There are many factors that go into building a list of potential colleges and universities that match what you are looking for. Remember that you will be the one on campus going to classes, doing the 6am lifts, and playing games. You need to find the school and program where you think you will be the happiest. Make sure you are doing your research and you are asking the right people the right questions. As you begin building your list of schools break it down into our 3 categories
- Academics - major, career paths, learning environment, additional study opportunities, graduation success, graduate school,
- Personal - location, size, setting, extra-curricular activities, costs, campus safety,
- Athletics - level of play, coaching staff, style, philosophy, facilities, team culture, playing time
Start Early. Continue to improve on and off the field. Play and Train Hard. Research Schools. Market Yourself.
Be Proactive. Visit Campuses. Select a school that fits your academic, athletic, and personal needs.
Enjoy your college experience!
Are you prepared for the Recruiting Race? It's a marathon not a sprint.
💡 What It Means to Be a SMART Recruit If you're a high school student-athlete with dreams of playing at the college level, you’ve probably heard how competitive and confusing the recruiting process can be. It’s true—navigating the world of college athletics, eligibility rules, academic requirements, communication with coaches, and scholarship opportunities can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to go through it blindly. Being a SMART Recruit means more than just athletic talent. It means you’re Educated , Empowered , Engaged , and Inspired . You take ownership of your journey by staying informed , organized , and committed to your future—both on and off the field. Let’s break it down. 🎓 Educated: Know the Landscape Smart Recruits take the time to understand the recruiting process. They know the rules, eligibility requirements, timelines, and what college coaches are looking for. They research the differences between NCAA Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA, and they understand how academics, athletics, and personal fit all play a role in finding the right school. Knowledge is power. When you're educated, you're able to avoid common mistakes, ask the right questions, and make informed decisions. 💪 Empowered: Own Your Journey Smart Recruits don’t wait for opportunity—they create it. They know that recruiting isn’t something that “just happens” to them. They take control by reaching out to coaches, attending the right events, and building a strong recruiting profile that reflects who they are as a student-athlete and a person. They recognize that no one will work harder for their future than they will . That sense of empowerment fuels their actions and keeps them moving forward—even when the journey gets tough. 🧠 Engaged: Be Proactive and Present The recruiting process is not passive—it requires you to stay active and engaged. Smart Recruits use tools like communication trackers, college lists, and visit checklists to stay on top of their outreach and deadlines. They’re not afraid to follow up, ask questions, and stay consistent. Being engaged means showing up: in your inbox, in the classroom, on the field, and in your mindset. Consistency beats luck every time. 🌟 Inspired: Stay Motivated by Your "Why" Every successful recruiting journey starts with a clear sense of purpose. Smart Recruits know why they’re pursuing college athletics, what they hope to achieve, and who they want to become in the process. That vision fuels their daily habits and decisions. Whether it's waking up early to train, studying late for a test, or rewriting an email to a coach—they’re motivated by a bigger goal and inspired to keep going, even when it’s hard. 🧭 Stay Informed. Stay Organized. Stay Ahead. Being a SMART Recruit also means staying informed about deadlines, program updates, and coach responses—and staying organized enough to manage it all. Whether you're managing communication, video links, or academic transcripts, having a system in place is crucial. That’s why tools like The Smart Recruit Tool Kit exist—to help you streamline the process, stay accountable, and make progress every week. 🎉 Coming Soon: The Smart Recruit Toolkit Get ready to take control of your college recruiting journey! The Smart Recruit —a comprehensive DIY toolkit designed to help student-athletes become educated, empowered, engaged, and inspired—will be launching soon. Packed with worksheets, templates, and expert guidance, this resource is your ultimate playbook to navigate the recruiting process with confidence and clarity. Stay tuned for the official launch! 🔚 Final Thought: Be the Recruit Coaches Want to Coach College coaches are looking for more than just athletic ability. They want students who are driven, self-aware, academically committed, and coachable. When you approach the process like a SMART Recruit , you show coaches you’re ready—not just to play at the next level, but to thrive there. ✅ Educated. ✅ Empowered. ✅ Engaged. ✅ Inspired. ✅ Informed & Organized. That’s what it means to be a SMART Recruit.
Discover Your Why, Define Your Way
How to Embrace the College Recruiting Process
Unlock the College Athletics Landscape and Find the Right Path for You
Tap Into Your Inner Jedi and Own the Recruiting Process
The recruiting landscape for high school student-athletes is on the cusp of a significant transformation. Recent NCAA lawsuits and rulings have far-reaching implications that will change the way colleges recruit, distribute scholarships, and compensate athletes. As the dust settles, here's how these changes will impact the future of recruiting: Employee Status: A Game-Changer The recent ruling that grants employee status to college athletes will revolutionize the recruiting process. Colleges will now need to consider the financial and legal implications of employing student-athletes. This shift will likely lead to: - More emphasis on compensation packages and benefits - Changes in scholarship models and revenue sharing - Increased focus on athlete welfare and support services NCAA Athletes as Employees: Recent Ruling and Implications* A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia ruled on July 11, 2024, that college athletes whose efforts primarily benefit their schools may qualify as employees deserving of pay under federal wage-and-hour laws ¹. This decision means that a test should be developed to differentiate between students who play college sports for fun and those whose effort "crosses the legal line into work" ¹. - Implications This ruling has significant implications for the NCAA and its long-standing concept of amateurism ¹. If athletes are considered employees, they may be entitled to compensation, benefits, and legal protections ². However, NCAA officials argue that this could harm student-athletes' experiences and create financial burdens for schools ¹. - Ongoing Debate: This issue is part of a broader debate about the rights and compensation of college athletes ². Some argue that athletes should be paid for their labor, while others believe that compensation could undermine the amateur nature of college sports ³. The National Labor Relations Board is also considering whether college athletes should be considered employees under federal labor law ². - Potential Consequences If athletes are classified as employees, schools and the NCAA may face substantial back pay claims from current and former athletes ⁴. This could lead to significant changes in the way college sports are structured and financed ². However, others argue that this could lead to unintended consequences, such as schools only funding profitable sports or detracting from the overall educational experience ². The Impact of New Ruling on Future College Rosters Reduced Roster Sizes Increased Injuries and Mental Health Issues Compensation and Benefits The impact of the new ruling on future college rosters is uncertain, with ongoing debates and discussions among coaches, administrators, and athletes ⁶. The new ruling's impact on future college rosters will likely unfold in the coming months and years. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL): A New Recruiting Tool With the introduction of NIL guidelines, colleges can now use an athlete's marketability as a recruiting selling point. This will lead to: - Increased emphasis on social media presence and personal branding - Colleges highlighting their ability to help athletes build their NIL - More creative and lucrative endorsement opportunities Roster Size and Scholarship Implications Reduced roster sizes and changes in scholarship models will impact the number of available spots for incoming recruits. This will lead to: - Increased competition for fewer spots - More emphasis on early recruiting and commitments - Potential for more athletes to consider alternative routes like junior college or NAIA Recruiting Strategies: Adapting to the New Landscape Colleges will need to adapt their recruiting strategies to stay competitive. This may include: - Earlier identification and recruitment of top talent - More personalized and holistic approaches to recruiting - Increased focus on athlete development and support services The Student-Athlete Experience: A New Priority With the emphasis on athlete welfare and support services, colleges will need to prioritize the student-athlete experience. This will lead to: - Increased focus on academic support and resources - More emphasis on mental health and wellness programs - Colleges highlighting their commitment to athlete development and success beyond sports The future of recruiting high school student-athletes will be shaped by the evolving NCAA landscape. As colleges navigate these changes, they'll need to prioritize creative recruiting strategies, athlete welfare, and support services to attract top talent. Student-athletes, in turn, will need to be more proactive in their recruitment, considering factors beyond just athletic development. As the recruiting landscape continues to shift, one thing is certain – the future of college sports will be shaped by these transformative changes. Sources: Appeals court rules NCAA Athletes may qualify as employees - www.insidehighered.com NCAA Student-Athletes as Employees Case is Pandora's Box - news.bloomberglaw.com Are College Athletes "employees" of their school? - www.marketplace.org Pay to Play? Third Circuit Holds NCAA Athletes can be Considered Employees - www.littler.com
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu
Redefining Success in College Recruiting for Student-Athletes
Making the wrong step or misstep in the college recruiting process can be compared to navigating the treacherous obstacles in the classic Atari game Pitfall. In both scenarios, a single misjudgment can lead to costly consequences and setbacks.
