If you're college athlete material, but not, say, a five-star quarterback, the recruiting process can feel discouraging from the start. However, no matter where you stand talent-wise, recruiting is more often than not a two way street. Five-star or not, when getting recruited, it takes a proactive approach from the recruit as well as the coaches to make things happen.

Getting recruited requires a lot of time and effort so it is important to attack your recruitment in a calculated, well throughout way. A good first step is taking a long internal look and deciding what you value most when it comes to playing at the collegiate level. Is it being a D1 athlete, receiving the most money in athletic scholarships, or is it the quality of education with athletics being second?  Once you know what you're after, go for your goals!

Promote Yourself 

One of the most critical parts of being recruited is to get your name and talents out into the digital world. It takes a proactive mindset to get recruited especially if you are not the superstar on your team–and social media can be your best friend here. You can start by creating a Twitter profile that includes your school, GPA, position, height/weight, and other relevant information. Using Twitter, respectfully reach out to coaches and send them your highlights.

Related: Send Tweet? Do's and Don'ts for Recruits on Social Media 

Hudl, an athletic game footage platform, is the perfect place to collect all your film and create an easily digestible video that can be distributed to college coaches. You must also showcase your skills beyond your high school seasons, such as participating in camps and showcases. Often these events will invite college coaches to come and watch the participants. This is an excellent opportunity to compete against your peers of similar skill sets with all eyes on you. 

Be Social!

If the superstar on your team has coaches flocking to your practices and watching their every game, don't be shy–introduce yourself and build a connection with that coach! They might have come for your teammate, but recruits have been known to get offers from coaches when they were not even there to scout them. It will take extra work to get recruited as an average player, but that's what you sign up for if you want to receive an opportunity to play at the next level. So take every chance you get to put your name out there!

Related: First Impressions Count: 3 Tips for Approaching College Coaches Via Email

Decide Which Route is Best for You 

When approaching recruiting, it is important to decide what level you want to play at. It is essential to consider what you wish to do in the recruiting process and what school would be the best fit for you. If your ultimate goal is to play college sports by any means, then make sure to reach out to NCAA and NAIA coaches about possible opportunities to be on their teams. If receiving a scholarship is your #1 priority, express your wants and needs when talking to coaches. Routes like taking a postgraduate sports year and attending junior college are great ways to build upon your academic and athletic foundation while maintaining years of eligibility. It is essential to consider what you want in the recruiting process and what school would be the best fit for you. 

Related: NCAA vs NAIA

Do Thorough Research 

Familiarize yourself with the recruiting rules and parameters. Know when coaches are allowed to visit in person and the specific academic requirements needed for you even to be extended an offer in the first place. You may even find yourself creating a relationship with the college scout responsible for your area of the country and communicating with them to ensure you have all the necessary attributes to be recruited. And speaking of research, keep your grades up! Coaches won't look twice at you if you may be an academic liability.

Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Email us at [email protected]

* Originally published on November 11, 2022, by William Calhoun