How to Get on a College Coach's Radar
How to Get on a College Coach’s Radar
Okay, now that you’re committed (https://athleticcohesion.com/post/Part2Commitments) to put in the Love, Sweat, and Tears to be a college athlete, it’s time to build your game plan of contacting college coaches.
You don’t need to be a 5-star recruit or play at a powerhouse high school to get noticed. In fact, some of the most heavily recruited athletes are the ones who made the decision to put themselves out there—consistently, intentionally, and with purpose.
Let’s start with Self-Awareness. Before you start reaching out to college coaches, understand where you fit. What level are you realistically best suited for (NCAA DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, JUCO)? Not sure?
Begin by asking your high school or club coaches. They see you practice every day; they watch you play every game; they know your work ethic. Hopefully you have coaches that you trust and can provide honest feedback on where you’re at today and where you need to be a year from now, two years from now…
Surround yourself with people you trust—and value the honest feedback they give you.
A great way to receive upfront feedback is to attend a local camp where college coaches will be in attendance. Doesn’t matter if their head coaches or assistant coaches or even grad assistants. At the beginning of the camp, introduce yourself to any of these coaches and ask them to provide you with some feedback on the level of your play. These coaches have no skin in the game and will tell you like it is.
If these coaches are telling you that you have the ability to become a DIII player and you thought you were DI material, you might want to listen. Instead of being frustrated with their answer, ask what you need to work on to improve your game. Even if they tell you what you want to hear, it may be in your best interest to ask about improvements to your game.
Take your camp experience a step further by attending events at schools across different levels. It may not be possible for everyone, but it’s a great way to gauge where you truly fit. If a Division I camp feels overwhelming, that’s worth noting. If a Division III camp feels like a better match for your skills and pace, that says a lot, too. Be honest with yourself and use those experiences to find your best fit.
Awareness goes beyond your athletic abilities. It's essential to understand both your academic strengths and the areas where you can improve. NCAA divisions have varying academic standards for student athletes. DI and DII student-athletes must meet specific core course requirements, GPA minimums, and test score benchmarks, while DIII institutions set their own academic standards. NAIA academic standards for college athletics involve a combination of high school coursework, GPA, standardized test scores, and class rank.
Take the responsibility for knowing what it takes academically to play at the next level. Become best friends with your high school guidance counselor to make sure your core course requirements are being met. Nothing will please a college coach more than hearing that you are aware of the academic standards of their school and that you are on track to meet their requirements.
Your transcript reflects the facts, but being able to speak about your academics shows confidence in the effort you have put in.
College coaches are looking for players who know who they are and where they belong. Once you’re aware of your strengths, goals, and realistic level of play, you can focus your energy on programs that are truly the right fit.
For more perspective, hands-on support, and clear next steps in your recruiting process, visit AthleticCohesion.com and schedule a call with me. I look forward to hearing about your recruiting goals.
Be Yourself, Be Committed, Be Recruitable
