RECRUITING MADE SIMPLE

The Ultimate Guide to the College Recruiting Process

By UnderRecruited Preps
 Introduction: UnderRecruited Preps
You have one chance at your college recruiting process. Don't waste it.

Recruiting is competitive. Think of all the other athletes out there wanting a chance to play their sport at the college
level. Recruits need to find ways to stand out. College coaches are going to be more interested in athletes who have
been actively reaching out to them and are knowledgeable about their program.

The athletic recruiting process is time consuming, confusing, and very difficult if one doesn't know where to start. An
online recruiting profile is very important to have college coaches view academic and athletic abilities.
UnderRecruited Preps connects student-athletes to college coaches and teaches them about the athletic recruiting
process.

Coaches Corner
Coaches Corner: Minnesota State University-Mankato Assistant Football Coach Kevin Sanger
“The best things high school student-athletes can do to get their name out there are to attend camps & clinics, get on
college campuses and meet coaches, emails, and recruiting services aren't a bad option either as far as getting their
names out there and help you get exposure.”

St. Catherine University Head Softball Coach Colleen Powers

“I think the biggest way that you get recruited is you find opportunities for exposure. In softball it's attending camps
and clinics at an institution you're interested in attending and getting a degree from, it's going to participate on
teams that are in tournaments across the country as well as locally and regionally where coaches are able to see
you play, and it's also investing time and energy in getting to know the process and understanding. Especially at the
Division three level it's a two-way street the institution wants to get to know you, you must get to know the degree
programs, the campus, the coaching staff, the current team, the needs of the program, and the future vision of the
program as well.”

Concordia University St. Paul Recruiting Coordinator Jake Munkwitz

“There are several different ways at this level. We're going to reach out to high school coaches in the winter time and
in the springtime trying to get a list of guys they feel like can play at the college level, and then we'll determine how
does this guy fit into what we're doing. Is he going to fit into the schemes and the systems that we try and use you?
Another way is we use recruiting services. I could name a hundred different recruiting services that send out emails
that we check their sites on a weekly basis. That's another way for us to get names, to get film, to evaluate, and to
check out things that we may otherwise miss from high school coaches that we don't get the information from. Maybe
a coach is busy or may have a different job and they don't have time to help their players with the college recruiting
process. Those are the two biggest ways is through high school coaches and through recruiting services to try and
collect as many names and as much film as we can to evaluate and determine what kind of fit each individual is
going to be for what we're trying to do.”

University of Minnesota Assistant Baseball Coach Rob Fornasiere

“Well, I think the number one way to get recruited is certainly to get places where you can get seen and when you get
seen in an event play well. There's no substitute for playing well and having physical skill. The other filters I've talked
about whether it be your academic profile, your character profile, or certain things that you've done off the field those
are all ancillary things to what you bring to the table as an athlete. If you're truly a Division one baseball player, then
you're a dominant player and that means that even on some of your average or below average days as a player
you're still better than other people in your conference and on your team.

That would be an indication of a dominant player and that's a way to get noticed. There are very few secrets today
and so if you're a dominant player, in my opinion, you'll get noticed.”

Minnesota State University-Mankato Head Women’s Hockey Coach John Harrington

“It's important that they get that process started early. I think it's getting earlier now where student-athletes are
getting recruited and making verbal commitments to go to certain schools. I think sometimes if you wait and think that
sometime down the line eventually, somebody is going to see you're going to run out of time because there aren't
that many scholarships to go around in all these sports and especially in hockey too. It's important that you follow
through and whether it's you making contact with them and them asking you to do a questionnaire and not putting
that over here but getting on it and getting it back and you're showing as much interest in them as you expect them to
show interest in you.

Concordia University St. Paul Recruiting Coordinator Jake Munkwitz

“There are several different ways at this level. We're going to reach out to high school coaches in the winter time and
in the spring time trying to get a list of guys they feel like can play at the college level, and then we'll determine how
does this guy fit into what we're doing. Is he going to fit into the schemes and the systems that we try and use you?
Another way is we use recruiting services. I could name a hundred different recruiting services that send out emails
that we check their sites on a weekly basis. That's another way for us to get names, to get film, to evaluate, and to
check out things that we may otherwise miss from high school coaches that we don't get the information from.

Maybe a coach is busy or may have a different job and they don't have time to help their players with the college
recruiting process. Those are the two biggest ways is through high school coaches and through recruiting services to
try and collect as many names and as much film as we can to evaluate and determine what kind of fit each individual
is going to be for what we're trying to do.”
3 Realities of College Recruiting
REALITY #1: THE TRUE COST OF TODAY’S COLLEGE EDUCATION (source: finaid.org)

Avg. tuition + books + fees + R/B = $24,500/year

Avg. time to graduate X 5.5 Years

_________________________________________________
Avg. Total College Education ~ $134,750

Avg. College Tuition Inflation Rate ~ 7.00%

AVG. TOTAL COLLEGE COSTS ~ $145,000+

PROJECTED PRICE RANGE if you graduate from college in 4 years…

‐ Most Expensive (Ivy) $220,000+ ($55K/yr)

‐ Least Expensive (public in‐state) $ 60,000+ ($15K/yr)

REALITY #2: THE TRUTH ABOUT COMPETING IN COLLEGE

7 MILLION high school athletes competing nationwide

• 2 MILLION high school senior athletes competing nationwide

• 100,000 college freshman roster spots available
• BOTTOM LINE = 2 MILLION high school athletes are competing for 100,000 roster spots
(5% will play, 95% will not play).

REALITY #3: THE TRUTH ABOUT HOW COACHES RECRUIT ATHLETES

MANY things need to happen before a coach makes you an offer:

1. Know about you (relationship begins)

2. Assess ability level of thousands of athletes
3. Do they have a need at your position?
4. Multiple correspondances – i.e. letters, emails,
questionnaires, etc.
5. Multiple phone calls
6. Multiple film/video evaluations (both online & DVD)
7. Extend official and/or unofficial visit(s)
8. MAKE OFFER – scholarship or walk on?
10 Things you should NEVER say to a College Coach

❖ How much scholarship money can you give me?

❖ Thanks for your interest but I’m looking for a better school.
❖ To whom It may concern
❖ Lying to a coach about grades or athletics
❖ Making excuses for not playing well
❖ I'm sorry for being late
❖ I'll clean up my social media messages
❖ I'll try to follow up better
❖ Yo coach I’m interested in your school
❖ I don't like my high school coach
How interested are they? ladder.

Top Recruiting Advice

Understanding your level of recruitment
This table serves as a guide for you to understand your position in the recruiting process. This guide is most
reflective of the Division I recruiting process. Remember Division II, III, NAIA or NJCAA may be a bit slower. But if
you want the opportunity to play at the highest level, you need to be prepared. Each category describes the
average experience, and it is not exact. If you do not fit into the category that you would like, do not worry! But this
means you must be proactive because some players are being recruited heavily and you do not want to fall behind.

Senior Year

1st day of senior classes- graduation

Extremely Recruited
Verbally committed (early Junior year) and signing National Letter of Intent in November
10 or more scholarship offers
At least 10 official visit invitations, if not already committed
50 or more phone calls from different schools
Weekly emails or phone calls from coaches

Highly Recruited
Verbally committed and signing National Letter of Intent in November
At least 5 scholarship offers
At least 5 official visit invitations, if not already committed
At least 30 phone calls from different schools
Frequent emails or phone calls from coaches

Moderately Recruited
Signing National Letter of Intent in April or invitation to walk-on
1-3 scholarship offers
Under 5 official visit invitations
10 or more phone calls in July
Periodic emails or phone calls from coaches
Coaches tell student to apply

Less Recruited
Maybe 1 scholarship offer
College coaches invite recruit to walk-on
Not more than 3 official visit invitations
No more than 10 phone calls in July
Few emails or phone calls
 Not Recruited
Coaches say recruiting class is complete
Less than 10 form emails are received
Fewer than 10 questionnaires
Continually receive camp brochures

Junior Year/ Rising Senior

1st day of junior classes- summer before senior year

Extremely Recruited
Over 60 written contacts on September 1
Personal phone calls from coaches immediately following July 1
At least 10 scholarship offers
Unofficial visit invitations and being made throughout the year
College coaches attend several high school and club games and practices
Club coaches are being regularly contacted about you
College coaches inquire about your academic status

Highly Recruited
Over 45 written contacts on September 1
Personal phone calls from coaches immediately following July 1
At least 3 scholarship offers
Unofficial visit invitations and being made throughout the year
College coaches show up at high school and club games 2 or more times
College coaches extend personal invitation for recruit to attend camp
College coaches invite recruit to attend games
Video requests
Questionnaire requests
Transcript requested

Moderately Recruited
Emails from coaches in the fall
Unofficial visit invitations and being made throughout the year
College coaches evaluate recruit in person 1-2 times during club season
College coaches invite recruit to games
Video requests
Questionnaire requests
Transcript requested
 Less Recruited
Form emails or letters from coaches
College coaches briefly appear at recruit's club games
College coach requests continual updates
Minimal personal attention, usually in response to recruit's inquiries
Main contact is the school's office of admissions

Not Recruited
10 or less form emails are received
Fewer than 10 questionnaires
Continually receive camp brochures

Sophomore Year/Rising Junior

1st day of sophomore classes- summer before junior year

Extremely Recruited
Over 60 written contacts from different schools
At least 3 scholarship offers
College coaches attend several club games and practices, and a high school game
College coaches contact recruit's high school or club coach/director
Questionnaire requests

Highly Recruited
Over 30 written contacts from different schools
At least 1 scholarship offer
College coaches make a brief appearance at a club game
College coaches contact recruit's high school or club coach/director

Moderately Recruited
Fewer than 30 written contacts from different schools
College coaches may watch recruit play at club tournaments

Less Recruited
Fewer than 15 written contacts from different schools
Coach will not make special effort to see recruit play
 Not Recruited
Recruit receives camp brochures and general admission information only

Freshmen Year/Rising Sophomore

1st day of freshmen classes – summer before sophomore year

Extremely Recruited
More than 30 written contacts
At least 1 offer
College coaches watch recruit play at club tournaments
College coaches contact recruit's high school or club coach/director

Highly Recruited
Over 15 written contacts
College coaches watch recruit play at club tournaments
College coaches contact recruit's high school or club coach/director

Moderately Recruited
Fewer than 15 written contacts
College coaches have inquired about recruit

Less Recruited
Fewer than 10 written contacts

Not Recruited
Most freshmen are not being recruited at this time
Focus on playing and having fun
Estimated probability of competing in college athletics
%HS to %HS to %HS to
High School NCAA Overall %
NCAA NCAA NCAA
Participants Participants HS to NCAA
Division I Division II Division III

MEN
Baseball 491,790 34,980 7.1% 2.1% 2.2% 2.8%
Basketball 550,305 18,712 3.4% 1.0% 1.0% 1.4%
Cross Country 266,271 14,350 5.4% 1.8% 1.4% 2.2%
Football 1,057,382 73,063 6.9% 2.7% 1.8% 2.4%
Golf 141,466 8,527 6.0% 2.1% 1.7% 2.2%
Ice Hockey 35,210 4,199 11.9% 4.8% 0.6% 6.5%
Lacrosse 111,842 13,899 12.4% 2.9% 2.3% 7.1%
Soccer 450,234 24,986 5.5% 1.3% 1.5% 2.7%
Swimming 138,364 9,691 7.0% 2.7% 1.1% 3.1%
Tennis 158,171 7,957 5.0% 1.6% 1.1% 2.3%
Track & Field 600,136 28,595 4.8% 1.8% 1.2% 1.7%
Volleyball 57,209 2,007 3.5% 0.7% 0.7% 2.0%
Water Polo 21,286 1,013 4.8% 2.7% 0.7% 1.3%
Wrestling 244,804 7,175 2.9% 1.0% 0.8% 1.1%

%HS to %HS to %HS to

High School NCAA Overall %
NCAA NCAA NCAA
Participants Participants HS to NCAA
Division I Division II Division III

WOMEN
Basketball 430,368 16,532 3.8% 1.2% 1.1% 1.5%
Cross Country 226,039 15,966 7.1% 2.6% 1.8% 2.7%
Field Hockey 60,549 6,066 10.0% 3.0% 1.3% 5.7%
Golf 75,605 5,372 7.1% 2.9% 2.1% 2.2%
Ice Hockey 9,599 2,355 24.5% 8.8% 1.2% 14.5%
Lacrosse 93,473 11,752 12.6% 3.7% 2.7% 6.2%
Soccer 388,339 27,638 7.1% 2.4% 1.9% 2.8%
Softball 367,405 19,999 5.4% 1.7% 1.6% 2.1%
Swimming 170,797 12,684 7.4% 3.3% 1.2% 2.9%
Tennis 187,519 8,736 4.7% 1.5% 1.1% 2.1%
Track & Field 494,477 29,907 6.0% 2.7% 1.5% 1.8%
Volleyball 444,779 17, 387 3.9% 1.2% 1.1% 1.6%
Water Polo 20, 826 1,159 5.6% 3.4% 0.9% 1.3%
Vocabulary
Celebratory Standardized Signing Form:
(A form used by Division III institutions.) The Celebratory Standardized Signing Form is a standard NCAA-provided,
nonbinding athletics celebratory signing form after a college-bound student athlete has been accepted for enrollment
at a Division III school.

Contact:

A contact happens any time a college coach says more than hello during a face-to-face meeting with you or your
parents off the college’s campus.

Contact period:

During a contact period, a college coach may have face-to-face contact with you or your parents, watch you
compete, visit your high school and write or telephone you or your parents.

Dead period:

A college coach may not have any face-to face contact with you or your parents on or off the college campus at any
time during a dead period. The coach may write and call you or your parents during this time.

Evaluation:

An evaluation happens when a college coach observes you practicing or competing.

Evaluation period:
During an evaluation period, a college coach may watch you compete, visit your high school and write or telephone
you or your parents. However, a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with you or your parents off the
college’s campus during an evaluation period.

Financial aid:

(Scholarship) Any money you receive from a college or another source, such as outside loans or grants. Financial aid
may be based on athletics ability, financial need or academic achievement.

Five-year clock:

If you play at a Division I school, you have five calendar years in which to play four seasons of competition. Your five-
year clock starts when you enroll as a full-time student at any college. Thereafter, your clock continues, even if you
spend an academic year in residence as a result of transferring, decide to redshirt, do not attend school or attend
school part time during your college career.
Full-time student:

Each school determines what full-time status means. Typically, you are a full-time student if you are enrolled for at
least 12 credit hours in a term, but somen schools define a full-time student as someone who takes fewer than 12
credit hours in a term.

International student:

An international student is any student who is enrolled in a secondary school outside the United States, U.S.
territories or Canada (except Quebec). Institutional Request List: An Institutional Request List is a list of college-
bound student-athletes who an NCAA Division I and/or II school is interested in recruiting. The action of activating a
college-bound student-athlete to the IRL informs the NCAA Eligibility Center of the school’s interest in having an
academic certification decision for the student-athlete.

Official commitment:

When you officially commit to attend a Division I or II college, you sign a National Letter of Intent, agreeing to attend
that school for one academic year.

Official visit:

During an official visit, the college can pay for transportation to and from the college for you, lodging and meals
(Division I allows for up to three meals per day) for you and your parents or guardians, as well as reasonable
entertainment expenses including three tickets to a Division I home sports event or five tickets to a Division II home
sports event. Before a college may invite you on an official visit, you will have to provide the college with a copy of
your high school transcript and ACT, SAT or PLAN score (test scores are required for Division I only) and register
with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Quiet period:

During this time, a college coach may not have any in-person contact with you or your parents off the college’s
campus. The coach may not watch you play or visit your high school during this period. You and your parents may
visit a college campus during this time. A coach may write or call you or your parents during this time.

Recruited:

If a college coach calls you more than once, contacts you off campus, pays your expenses to visit the campus, or in
Divisions I and II, issues you a National Letter of Intent or a written offer of financial aid, you are considered to be
recruited.

Recruiting calendar:

NCAA member schools limit recruiting to certain periods during the year. Recruiting calendars promote the well-being
of college-bound student-athletes and ensure fairness among schools by defining certain periods during the year in
which recruiting may or may not occur in a particular sport.
Season of competition:

Generally, NCAA rules say that any competition in a season — regardless of the amount of time — counts as having
played a season in that sport. If you play any time during a season, regardless of how long you played, it counts as
having played for an entire season in that sport. Your season of competition starts when you spend one second in
competition on the field, court, gym or track.

Ten-semester/15-quarter clock:

If you play at a Division II or III school, you have the first 10 semesters or 15 quarters in which you are enrolled as a
full-time student to complete your four seasons of participation. You use a semester or quarter any time you attend
class as a full-time student or are enrolled part time and compete for the school. You do not use a term if you only
attend part time with no competition or are not enrolled for a term.

Two-year college :

A school where students can earn an Associate of Arts degree, an Associate of Science degree or an Associate of
Applied Science degree within two years. Some people call these schools community colleges or junior colleges.

Unofficial visit:

Any visit by you and your parents to a college campus paid for by you or your parents. The only expense you may
receive from the college is three complimentary admissions to a Division I home athletics contest or five
complimentary admissions to a Division II home athletics contest. You may make as many unofficial visits as you like
and may take those visits at any time. The only time you cannot talk with a coach during an unofficial visit is during a
dead period.

Verbal commitment:

A verbal commitment happens when you verbally agree to play sports for a college before you sign or are eligible to
sign a National Letter of Intent. The commitment is not binding on you or the school and can be made at any time.

Walk-on:

Someone who is not typically recruited by a school to participate in sports and does not receive a scholarship from
the school, but who becomes a member of one of the school’s athletics teams