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When Should Student-Athletes Start the College Recruiting Process?

September 29, 2025

Jack Huempfner

For athletes who dream of playing college sports, one of the most common questions is: When should I start the recruiting process? The answer is simple: as early as possible.

Recruiting does not begin with a single phone call or a letter from a coach. It is a step-by-step journey that starts as soon as athletes enter high school. Families who understand the timeline are better prepared to meet eligibility requirements, communicate with coaches, and maximize scholarship opportunities.

Freshman Year: Building the Foundation

The recruiting process effectively begins the day an athlete starts high school. College coaches may not reach out directly at this stage, but they are already tracking talent through club teams, tournaments, and rankings.

Freshman year is the time to:

  • Focus on academics. NCAA rules require 16 core courses. Laying the foundation early avoids problems later.
  • Begin collecting athletic film. Even if it is raw, footage from games becomes valuable over time.
  • Explore different sports or positions. Many athletes develop versatility in their first year of high school competition.
  • Research the levels of college athletics. Understanding the differences between Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college programs gives families a realistic view of opportunities.

Sophomore Year: Starting to Get Noticed

By sophomore year, athletes should treat themselves as potential recruits. While NCAA rules limit coach contact, this is when athletes can begin making themselves visible.

Key steps include:

  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to begin tracking courses and grades.
  • Maintain at least a 2.3 GPA in NCAA-approved core classes for Division I eligibility.
  • Create a highlight reel with game footage. Coaches want to see progress and potential.
  • Attend camps, combines, or showcases that are known for drawing college scouts.
  • Reach out to coaches through the ASM Sports app with basic information such as academic stats, athletic stats, and upcoming schedules.

At this stage, communication is often one-directional, athletes contacting coaches rather than coaches contacting athletes. Still, this outreach shows initiative and builds awareness.

Junior Year: Direct Communication

Junior year is the most important time in the recruiting timeline. NCAA recruiting calendars open up more opportunities for direct coach communication during this year, depending on the sport.

During junior year:

  • Coaches can begin sending more personal emails, texts, or making phone calls.
  • Official evaluations at tournaments, games, and showcases become critical.
  • Athletes should continue updating highlight reels and sending them to programs.
  • Campus visits, both unofficial and official, can begin to take place.

Academics remain central. Coaches will request updated transcripts, and test scores may be required depending on the school. Strong performance in the classroom can separate an athlete from others with similar athletic ability.

Junior year is often when athletes receive their first scholarship offers. Programs use this time to identify their top prospects and begin building recruiting classes.

Senior Year: Final Decisions

For seniors, the recruiting process is about narrowing options and making final decisions. Athletes who are still uncommitted must act quickly to get on coaches’ radars.

Senior year steps include:

  • Finalize highlight reels that show complete skills and recent performance.
  • Take official campus visits when invited.
  • Evaluate scholarship offers and financial aid packages.
  • Stay in communication with coaches to confirm interest and potential roster spots.
  • Continue meeting academic standards to remain eligible.

In the past, athletes would sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) during designated signing periods. In 2024, the NCAA eliminated the NLI program for Division I athletes. Today, athletes officially commit by signing written offers of athletic aid with their chosen schools. Division II programs may still use the NLI or a similar process.

Sport-Specific Considerations

While the general timeline applies to most sports, each sport has its own recruiting calendar. For example:

  • Football and basketball recruiting often happens earlier, with some prospects receiving offers before junior year.
  • Sports like soccer, baseball, and softball rely heavily on club and showcase events that take place year-round.
  • Individual sports such as track, swimming, or golf are more results-driven, with times and rankings playing a bigger role than film.

Athletes and families should research the recruiting calendar for their specific sport to avoid missing key opportunities.

Common Mistakes in Timing

Families often miscalculate the recruiting timeline. Some wait until senior year to begin contacting coaches, which is usually too late. Others focus exclusively on athletics and ignore academic requirements, which can derail opportunities even for talented players.

Another mistake is relying on exposure through high school competition alone. College coaches often prioritize club tournaments, showcases, and national events where they can evaluate multiple athletes at once.

Key Takeaways

The recruiting process begins much earlier than most athletes realize. Freshman year sets the academic and athletic foundation. Sophomore year is about getting noticed and starting outreach. Junior year brings direct communication and scholarship offers. Senior year finalizes the process with visits, offers, and commitments.

Starting early allows athletes to meet eligibility requirements, create strong highlight reels, and communicate with coaches at the right time. Athletes who wait too long often find their options limited, while those who prepare from the start give themselves the best chance to succeed.

Bottom line: The right time to start the college recruiting process is the beginning of high school or even earlier. Building a plan from freshman year through senior year ensures athletes stay eligible, stay visible, and stay on track toward achieving their goal of playing at the next level.

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