Football Recruiting

6 Steps of the College Football Recruiting Process

By Brayden Koch|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on December 17, 2021)

This year is like no other when it comes to college football recruiting, but one thing remains the same: the passion for schools to land the best prospects and vice versa. Below, we have compiled a guide to walk you through the college football recruiting process so you can maximize your chances of getting recruited.

When to start the recruiting process:
The truth is, it's never too early to start the recruiting process. Some of the top recruits will start reaching out to schools as early as middle school. Being proactive is one of the best intangible skills you can offer, as it shows not only your maturity, but your passion to play college football. If you are looking to play Division 2 or 3 though, coaches will start the process during your junior year of high school. Even though it's best to start early, it's not the end of the world to start late either. If you have the drive and follow the right steps, you will succeed.

Reaching out to coaches:
Many people think that getting recruited means that the coaches will come to you, but that's rarely the case. Unless you're a highly ranked, 5-star recruit, you will most likely be the one reaching out. The best way to do this is by doing your research and finding out which programs you think would suit you best. Then, reach out to those coaches and introduce yourself. Coaches appreciate the effort.

Have an application plan:
When starting the recruiting process, it's easy to try to put all your eggs in one basket, but that can be problematic. Instead, you should compile a list of nearly 20 schools you're interested in. Choose 5 reach schools, 5 safety schools, and 10 target schools. This way, you're not put in a position where you're playing at a school that you don't enjoy.

Keep your academics on track:
Academics will inevitably play a large role in your recruiting process. Not only are they crucial for getting accepted into your target schools, but coaches look at them too. They want to know you will succeed at the college level both academically and athletically. Finally, and maybe most importantly, you need to fulfill the NCAA or NAIA's eligibility requirements.

Understand the redshirt rule:
Many people are still developing their game once they reach the college level, thus why the redshirt rule was initially put in place. Recently, the NCAA has edited the rule where players can play up to 4 games without losing eligibility. If you're planning on playing Division 1 football, this is definitely something to consider.

Decision time:
Now that you've gone through the recruiting process and understand all the implications, it's time to make your decision. Which school fits you best athletically, academically, and socially?

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