High school athletes constantly see other kids their age get recruited to big 
schools on ESPN. These talented athletes have been sought out by college coaches because they are the best of the best. So unless you are recognized around the country for your athletic talents, you can’t rely on college coaches to come find you.
So who should you rely on? There are a ton of people around you that could get you recruited: your parents, your coaches, your teachers, your friends. But the question is, SHOULD you rely on someone else to get you recruited? Absolutely not! The only person who can get you recruited is YOU.
Too many athletes assume that college coaches are going to come find them or that someone they know is going to get them recruited. But if you wait for coaches to find you, then you are going to be left behind in the recruiting race. Just like your academics, you have to be the one to put in the work if you want to achieve your desired results.
But just because you have to do all the work, doesn’t mean there is no one around who can help and support you. You are surrounded by people who can give you a hand in the recruiting process (even us here at CSS!) It’s up to you to recognize that you need help and you need to be able to ask for it. Otherwise, your recruiting experience could get you lost.
Here are some tips to help you help yourself throughout the recruiting process:
- Stay Organized: Keep track of things like the coaches you have contacted, school application due dates, and what you need to send to the NCAA Eligibility Center. The more organized you are, the smoother the process will be.
- Stay Eligible: Make sure that you work hard in school and remain eligible within the NCAA/NAIA Eligibility Centers. College coaches are only interested in student-athletes who do well in their classes and their sport.
- Stay Patient: The recruiting process can be tedious and overwhelming. As long as you remain patient and persistent, you could have a good chance of finding an opportunity.
- Stay humble: even great athletes need help sometimes! If you find yourself lost or have questions you need answered, make sure to look for help! There are tons of great resources you can use: high school counselors, coaches, parents, and, of course, our website.
Turn to us for help! Ask us your questions by leaving a comment below or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you for taking my question…
I am 6’0 275 lbs and I can’t seem to get notice
at the major recruitment camps because they
Keep paying attention to the 6’5 guards who seem sloppy.
I am beating them bad off the ball and much quicker feet
Iam able to lift as much as them or even more. But I won’t
get there attention. Will I ever get a break ? Why is 6’4 and
Above so important to the coaches when I am
right there with them in skill and strength.
One way to get the attention of coaches is to contact them before you attend camps. By starting communication with them before you see them at camps, they will know to look out for you. If you notice that other players are getting noticed, it’s likely because the coach has already been in contact with them and have specifically come to see them. Put together a resume and highlight video and send them to coaches. Then you can target camps you know coaches you have talked to will be at.
If I can’t attend the college camp that I want due to academic conflict is there another way to be seen.
Video is the best way to show college coaches your skills and for them to quickly evaluate you. Make sure to have a sports resume and cover letter too, this will show the coach how interested and dedicated you are, here is how to get started: http://www.athleticscholarships.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/How_to_Create_a_College_Recruiting_ResumeE-Book.pdf Let us know if you have any other questions on getting in contact with coaches.
Hi im 5’11 145 pounds im a wide receiever and after my first season playing varsity footba i grew to love it more than anything else sad fact is i never got much game time ive only been in two games and im not ashamed to say that my size is skinny with little speed but i want to play college football ive been hitting the weight since two weeks after the season eneded. I would just like some advice to start my final season off in the best way possible.
It sounds like you are off to the right start by working hard in the weight room and getting stringer and faster. I would encourage you to talk to your coach and let him know what your goal is. Ask him what it is going to take for you to get more playing time. Once you are getting more reps, get a highlight tape together and start sending it out to coaches. Good luck and please let me know if you have more questions.