Recruiting 101: How to Get Started

Recruiting 101, everything you need to know about the recruiting basic's and how to get started.

Key Points

  • How to get started
  • Recruiting basics (101) 
  • Key information for athletes/parents

INtro

At Diversion Sports, we are bringing everyone free educational information on recruiting. Specifically on high school football recruiting. Everything from the basic’s to higher levels. We don’t claim to be experts and never hope to be. We are continuous students of the game with a mission to help prospective student-athletes on their journey. 

At some point in time in every high school athlete’s career, a decision comes along that must be thought out with their families whether or not they would like to play their sport at the next level in college. Then the second question is who are my top schools for whatever reasons whether that be academic, tradition, reputation, etc. The list can go on and on about the different reasons a PSA (prospective student-athlete) would choose a liking over one school over another. The third question probably is, how do we get started? 

Getting started in the world of recruiting can be confusing for many parents and athletes due to the lack of basic information and knowledge about the processes involved. We are here to help simplify it for you.

Whats the best way to get started?

We will now show you the best ways to get started and the basics of Recruiting 101. The basics is what we have compiled from professionals in the industry alongside the information which the NCAA provides on recruiting. 

Where to Start

First prospective student-athletes should create an eligibility checklist and enter their information through the NCAA to get certification and their ID numbers. This first simple step is crucial in the process and lets coaches know that you are serious about playing at the next level. Want to get started with your account? Head on over to the NCAA website and get started.  

Recruiting 101

  • Know the definition of key terms (i.e contact period, dead period, etc.) 
  • Know the Recruiting Calander 
  • How can you start the process
  • How you can get recruited 

Key terms

  • Overview 

    • Dead period
    • Quiet period 
    • Contact period 
    • Evaluation period 
    • Official visit 
    • Unofficial visit

For the exact terms please visit the NCAA website on key terms. 

Recruiting Calander

Now that we have discussed the key terms in recruiting. Next up is knowing the recruiting calendar and how it all works. The NCAA recently released a new calendar this year and we are here to provide a general overview of that information. 

Being familiar with the dates of the recruiting calendar and when coaches can and cannot talk to you is crucial to your success. Why you might ask? Well, this ability allows you to know when exactly you and coaches can talk when you can take visits to campuses, and much more.

Every recruit is at a different stage in the process and it’s better to get started as soon as you can as an underclassman. Freshmen, Sophomores, typically have to wait before having direct contact with coaches, however, juniors and seniors have different limitations and start dates and we will cover that with you next. 

How you can get recruited ?

If you are new to the process. Then this is how you can get started by focusing on theses key areas:

  • Focus on academic success in the class room first. Without good grades your chances of getting recruited to play Division I football are slim to none.
  • Be persestant in self-improvement, playing well, and promoting yourself. 
  • Have varsity film. JV, middle school won’t help much.
  • Varsity film is not merely enough. You must dominate your opponent every play.
  • Put your best film on your highlights. This sparks interest, then coaches will will evaluate further. 
  • Your film must include you being able to play your position with skills, athletic ability, and attributes. 

These are just some of the basics of recruiting and we will continue to provide information on how you can help yourself achieve your dreams, help navigate the unknown for parents and athletes, plus also inspire, and educate. Stay tuned as we build on our serious of recruiting 101. 

Three Ways we Can help You

  1. At Diversion Sports Management our staff takes a needs based targeted approach. We can help you find a need and where you will be the best fit at your top schools that you have in mind and recommend others as well. 
  2. We will formulate a plan, market you directly to those schools and coaches, and track our progression. You will see results. 
  3. Market you three ways: 1) articles to our network of college coaches here at DSM and tdrecruits.com, 2) social media post about your film and graphics, and 3) word to mouth, we can reach out directly to college coaches for you via phone call, txt, or DM and give them our honest evaluation of you. We never sugar coat our evaluations and give to college coaches straight and then leave it up to them whether or not they would show interest in you and or offer you, but our main goal is to help you pick up scholarship offers.  

Sources

  • NCAA.org
  • Oklahoma Sooners university Director of Recruiting, coach JR Sandlin, Twitter

Diversion Sports Media is in no way affiliated with the NCAA or anyone else mentioned in this article. NOTE: this article has been edited since posted.

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