Sure, you need to be a standout athlete to get recruited to play in college. But did you know that there are plenty of other factors that come into play when you are going through the recruiting process besides your athletic abilities? Coaches want good athletes but they're also looking for someone who has a strong character and takes pride in the things they do whether that be in their academics, or what they post on social media–and you need to know the rules of the recruiting game as well. Here are some other tips for athletes in the recruiting process that have nothing to do with playing ability.
Get Your Academics in Shape
You have to be in good standing with your school work if you want to be recruited. Not only will this help you get into the university but it can also contribute to scholarship opportunities and your abilities to afford the university.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
Clean Out Your Social Media
As a college athlete myself, I urge you to take a pass through all your socials when you begin the recruiting process. Weed out any post that may not be family friendly or include any sort of contraband. A good rule of thumb is, if you wouldn't want your mom or grandma to see what you posted then delete it.
Related: Tweet it or Delete it? How to Leverage Your Twitter Account for Recruiting
Know What You Want
Coaches like it when athletes have done their research on schools so it's a good idea to make a list when you start to look at colleges of interest. It will help you stay organized and help you narrow down where it is you want to attend. You can even categorize them by your chances of getting in. (e.g.: safety school, reach school). This ensures that you know what you're looking for and you're not wasting a coach's time (or yours!)
Read up on NCAA rules
It's important to know the rules that are factors in when and how you can communicate with coaches. You may think that a coach is not interested but it just may be too early for them to get back to you. At the beginning of your sophomore year it's a good idea to take a look at all those rules and comply.
Use an Email Template
When reaching out to coaches it's much easier if you have a general template of what you are going to say to them. However, make that template heavily customizable to include specifics about the program. A template can make crafting each of those emails a bit less time consuming so you can focus on researching and adjusting them based on who you are sending it to.
Related: Example Email to College Coaches
Overall, what you do outside the locker room is just as important as your athletic skills. Being a well-rounded and prepared athlete can give you an edge against other recruits. So, take the time to focus on your school work and image and prepare to be recruited.
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* Originally published on August 11, 2022, by Casey Chizmazia
