Lesson 2: The Recruiting Timeline

The recruiting timeline helps student-athletes know when to take important steps in the recruitment process. Knowing these steps and when to do them keeps you organized and on track for your goals. This lesson explains what to do at each grade level and why starting early is important.

General Timeline

Middle School (6th-8th Grade)

• Learn the Basics: Focus on improving your skills in different sports and building overall athleticism.
• Play!: Participate in local leagues and start getting involved in competitive play.
• Good Study Habits: Develop strong study habits and aim for good grades.

Freshman Year (9th Grade)

• Develop Skills: Keep improving your sports skills and join high school teams.
• Stay Academically Strong: Enroll in challenging courses and aim for good grades.
• Compete: Attend sports camps and showcases to determine how well you can compete with peers.
• Research Colleges: Start learning about different colleges and their sports programs.

Sophomore Year (10th Grade)

• Develop Skills: Continue to improve athletic skills and maintain strong academic performance.
• College Tours: Begin taking tours to visits college campuses to determine what interests you.
• Get Exposure: Attend camps, showcases, and tournaments to get noticed.
• Create Athletic Profile: Create a sports resume with your achievements.
• Communicate: Start emailing college coaches to introduce yourself and share your profile.
• Prepare for Tests: Begin studying for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT.

Junior Year (11th Grade)

• Create Targeted List of Colleges: Focus on a few colleges and visit them unofficially.
• Regular Communication: Keep in touch with college coaches and update them on your progress.
• Gain Exposure: Participate in major showcases and tournaments for exposure.
• Schedule Tests: Schedule and take standardized tests (SAT/ACT) and ensure academic eligibility.
• Eligibility Center: Register with the NCAA or NAIA Eligibility Center to ensure you meet all requirements.
• Update Highlight Videos: Create new highlight videos showcasing your latest skills.

Senior Year (12th Grade)

• Make Decisions: Visit your top college choices officially and meet coaches, team members, and academic advisors.
• Regular Communication: Continue communication with coaches and finalize your athletic profile.
• Apply to Colleges: Complete college applications and apply for scholarships.
• Final Decision: Choose your college and inform all relevant parties

Why Start Early?

• Build Relationships: Starting early helps you form strong connections with college coaches. Coaches appreciate getting to know you over time.
• Show Progress: Early engagement shows your dedication and lets coaches see your improvement.
• More Opportunities: Starting early gives you more chances to attend camps, showcases, and visits to colleges.

Staying on Track

• Meet Deadlines: The recruitment process has many deadlines for applications, tests, and eligibility. Staying on track ensures you don’t miss these important dates.
• Maintain Good Grades: Keeping your grades up from the start helps you meet eligibility requirements and avoid last-minute stress.
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly working on your sports and academics makes you a better candidate for college recruitment.

Conclusion

By understanding and following the recruiting timeline, student-athletes can effectively manage their recruitment process, ensuring they meet all necessary milestones and deadlines to achieve their goal of playing collegiate sports. Please complete Activity Two in the workbook.