We like to think of recruiting as a dance that goes on between the recruit and the coach. This is because coaches are trying to ensure that all their spots are filled with the best possible options. The same can be said for the athlete. They are looking at their options for schools and will want to go to their very best option. 

Understanding the cues of the dance is important for your own security. If a coach starts being a little less chatty, it’s potentially because you have moved lower on their totem pole. 

College coaches often use a “recruiting whiteboard.” This is how they organize every recruit on their team based on recruiting priority. Where you are on the whiteboard is directly related to how actively coaches will recruit you, but your position on the board isn’t set. This is why it’s important to be aware of when coaches rearrange names on the board, and to not let your guard down just because you seem to be high on their priority list.

Use this guide to understand the college coaches’ whiteboard and how they manage their recruits and offers. 

* Originally published on November 19, 2021, by Brittany Collens