It might sound shady, but when going through the recruiting process it's always smart to stalk the rosters of the programs you are considering. Here at 2aDays, we call this pre-recruitment research process “roster stalking.” As a prospective college athlete, you need to go into recruitment knowing what positions are open, what opportunities there are for you to play, and exactly how you plan to make an impact on the program. Basically, you need to know from the beginning what it is going to take to play your position for that coach. Here are five tips to help you roster stalk effectively.
Be Thorough
The biggest piece of advice when it comes to roster stalking is: Do your research. If you are unsure what a school's roster looks like go to their website. Every collegiate team will list their players, their position and what year they are on their athletics page.
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Be Specific!
Be sure to research the players in your position and their stats. When you are roster stalking it is essential to know where you stand in comparison to their ‘roster' and their current player's skill set. If you are looking to get recruited as a quarterback for a D1 program you need to be looking at D1 quarterback stats. Trevor Lawrence, all-star quarterback for the Clemson Tigers has rushed 3665 yards and averaged 36 touchdowns in his 2019 season. As a D1 quarterback, you need to be comparable to these stats to even be considered. ‘Roster stalking' allows an athlete to be realistic with their stats and maybe realize if playing for a D2 or D3 program might be a better option.
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Keep Your Priorities in Mind
A big thing to consider and understand as an athlete going into the recruiting process is what you value. Are you the athlete that would rather play at a big D1 school and barely get time on the field or are you the athlete that would play their heart out for a D2 or D3 program? Both are valid, but it's good to know what you expect out of your collegiate athletic experience before you go into the recruiting process. Not everyone can be the Trevor Lawrence all-star quarterback but that doesn't mean you can't play a collegiate sport.
Get to Know the Coach
Another essential piece of advice when it comes to roster stalking: create a relationship with the coach. If you can start a relationship with the coach of a program this will be your best source for information regarding their roster. Depending on your relationship try to get out of them how many players they are looking for and what it will take to play for them.
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Stay Current
Especially during the recruiting process rosters are quick to change, with the income of new talent, the absence of seniors and current players getting drafted for pro leagues, the coach will be your best bet to get a real-time update on what positions will become available in the new season. Keep this in mind when roster stalking and take note of what players might be leaving or transferring.
Roster stalking is an easy way for recruits to get all the information they need from the start. Doing your research can help you go into the recruiting process able to showcase to coaches exactly what you have to offer their team against their current players. So stalk away!
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* Originally published on December 15, 2022, by Gabrielle Gialenios
