Recruits who are not top national recruits must be creative and find different ways to get 
ahead in their recruitment. They should start by finding the right college, making sure they are academically eligible to play at their target division level, and making contact with college coaches and college recruiters so they can begin to get their name out there to college coaches.
Have a goal, but understand your limits
It happens often; recruits get set on competing at the division I level and only work on contacting division I coaches. These recruits get frustrated when they are met with no replies from college athletic staffs, and get even more discouraged when they are unable to secure a spot on a college team by the time their senior year season is over.
In most cases
We normally interpret the above scenario as players aiming too high, when clearly they do not have the ability and skills to compete with other NCAA division I athletes. This happens more often than not. All competitive athletes want to get found by larger, well-known universities and want to have a chance to play in front of a national audience. Who can blame them- for most student-athletes, all they know is NCAA division I sports.
Don’t think we are trying to discourage you from playing at the DI level. If you believe you have what it takes, then by all means you should work hard to meet your goal.
One athlete who did not give up
University of Central Arkansas, linebacker Seth Allison has a unique recruiting story. Coming out of high school he received very little offers to play. He was not the biggest guy on the line; something he attributes to helping him become successful. Now looking back, he is able to say, “just because someone doesn’t have certain physical attributes doesn’t mean he can’t play.” Allison never let his size matter because he knew his skills would take him far.
He was not going to stop
Allison was given the chance to prove himself as a walk-on at UCA. He jumped at this opportunity. After his freshman year as a red-shirt he later went on to earn titles such as leading tackler, All-American and UCA male athlete of the year. The 2012 season is Allison’s last, and he is predicted to once again be named an All-American.
From walk- on to the coach’s dream player. Allison is now a leader on the field and in the classroom. This is a great story of a player who did not get a lot of looks, but was willing to give it his all. If you have the dream to make it somewhere, then you need to be prepared to give it your all.
If you have any questions about walking-on or getting in contact with college recruiters than leave your comment below and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
I am a volleyball player and tore my ACL last February during my club season junior year. I would have been looked at during this time since I grew several inches since my sophomore year. I am now a senior coming back from rehab and doing well. I have walk on opportunities at two DI schools because they have given away all of their scholarships. I also have several DIII schools willing to give me academic money in lieu of athletic money since they do not have that. Should I wait until club volleyball my senior year and see who needs people at the last minute? I am going to study physical therapy…
You should consider where you think you’ll be the happiest as both an athlete and a student. Walk on opportunities are good because there is a chance to earn a scholarship after the first year. But if you really need the financial aid the first year, then accepting the academic money might be best. It really depends on what your needs are; just make sure whatever school you choose has a physical therapy program!