Early Exposure Equals More Opportunities

College recruiting has evolved significantly in recent years. Coaches are identifying prospects earlier than ever, sometimes scouting athletes as young as middle school age. Starting early allows your child ample time to develop skills, build relationships with coaches, and clearly understand their athletic and academic goals.

But how exactly do you kickstart this process?

Top Recruiting Platforms: Your Child’s Key to Visibility

Getting noticed by coaches has become easier with the right online tools. Platforms such as NCSA, Hudl, SportsRecruits, FieldLevel, and CaptainU give student-athletes the critical exposure they need.

These platforms allow athletes to:

• Create comprehensive athletic profiles.

• Easily share highlights and game footage.

• Communicate directly with college coaches.

• Showcase verified academic records and achievements.

By establishing an early presence on these recruiting platforms, your child will significantly improve their chances of catching the eye of college coaches.

Creating an impactful recruiting profile is one of the most important steps your student-athlete can take to attract attention from college coaches. In today’s competitive landscape, an effective profile serves as your child’s digital first impression. Coaches use these profiles to quickly gauge an athlete’s potential fit in their program.

At Recruited to Play™, we’ve helped countless athletes and families craft standout profiles. Follow these clear steps and best practices to ensure your athlete’s recruiting profile stands out from the crowd.

Step 1: Start with a Strong First Impression

Your athlete’s profile headline and photo are the first things coaches see. Make sure you choose a clear, high-quality action photo that represents your athlete’s sport and personality. Include key details such as:

• Athlete’s full name

• Graduation year

• Position(s)

• Height/Weight (if applicable)

• School and club affiliations

Keep this information concise and professional.

Step 2: Include Athletic Highlights and Stats

Clearly outline your athlete’s accomplishments. Coaches look for specific, quantifiable data. Highlight items such as:

• Key statistics (goals, assists, saves, personal records)

• Athletic honors and awards (all-league, MVP, All-American)

• Club or travel team achievements

• Showcase or tournament highlights

Remember, keep this information accurate and updated regularly.

Step 3: Share Academic Information

Academics play a crucial role in college recruiting. Coaches prefer student-athletes who can excel in the classroom and on the field. Your profile should include:

• GPA and class rank (if applicable)

• SAT or ACT scores (when available)

• Academic honors or awards (Honor Roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, etc.)

• Intended major or academic interests, if known

Strong academics open more recruiting doors and scholarship opportunities.

Step 4: Include Compelling Video Content

Video is one of the most powerful recruiting tools. Coaches want to see your athlete in action. Ensure your highlight video includes:

• Clear footage showcasing your athlete’s top skills and strengths

• Clips that demonstrate versatility and game awareness

• Appropriate length (typically between 3 to 5 minutes)

• Annotations clearly identifying your athlete on-screen

A professional-quality highlight video greatly enhances your athlete’s recruiting potential.

Step 5: Personalize Your Bio Section

The bio section gives coaches a glimpse into who your athlete is as a person. This is your opportunity to make your profile memorable. Include brief statements about:

• Leadership roles (team captain, community involvement)

• Personal motivations and goals

• Athletic strengths and dedication

• Unique interests or skills outside of sports

A well-crafted bio helps coaches understand how your athlete might fit into their program’s culture.

Step 6: Keep Contact Information Clear and Accessible

Make sure coaches can easily reach out. Clearly list:

• Athlete’s email address (professional and simple)

• Phone number

• Social media handles (make sure these profiles are appropriate and showcase your athlete positively)

• High school or club coach’s contact information

Quick and easy communication improves your athlete’s chances of securing follow-up conversations and visits.

Step 7: Regularly Update Your Profile

Recruiting is a continuous process. Updating your profile after every significant event ensures your athlete remains visible and relevant. Add updates such as:

• New game footage

• Recent academic or athletic awards

• Improved statistics or records

• Changes to height, weight, or position

An up-to-date profile shows coaches your athlete’s ongoing progress and commitment.

Combine Platform Exposure with a Proven Roadmap

Leveraging platforms alone isn’t enough. Navigating college recruitment successfully requires clarity, organization, and a solid strategy. That’s where Recruited to Play™ comes in.

Our step-by-step roadmap guides you and your athlete through each phase of the recruiting journey, ensuring you maximize opportunities and avoid costly pitfalls. We cover crucial steps like:

• How to build and evaluate your target list of colleges.

• Communication templates that make contacting coaches simple and effective.

• A timeline highlighting exactly when your child should take specific recruiting actions.

• Insights on creating attention-grabbing highlight reels coaches will love.

• Strategies to maintain strong academic performance throughout high school.

When you pair early online exposure with our expert-driven recruiting roadmap, your child is set up for long-term success.

Take the First Step Today

Early action can be the difference-maker in your child’s athletic future. Don’t wait until it's too late to start building their recruiting profile and strategy.

Equip your child with the resources, strategies, and tools to turn their collegiate athletic dreams into reality.

Ready to begin?
Explore the Recruited to Play™ Course and Set Your Child Up for Early Success!

Or quickly check your child's progress with our free Recruiting Readiness Tool and see where you stand today.