ODR365 RECRUITING TIMELINE
2 Must-Do's in Recruiting
Start Early
Many athletes receive offers well before their senior year and, in some cases, as early as middle school. If you are serious about playing college sports, consider starting your recruiting process right away.
Take Control
Your recruiting process is exactly that…Yours! The only person who will be affected if you play college sports or not, or earn a scholarship or not, is you. Take control of your recruiting process immediately as it only happens once in your lifetime.
3 Steps to Get Recruited for Football
Step 1
Understand Your Opportunities
The first step in the recruiting process is to understand the opportunities available in your sport. Check the charts to see how many programs and scholarships are available in your sport.
Football Programs:
FBS | FCS | D2 | D3 | NAIA | NJCAA | CCCAA | TOTAL |
131 | 123 | 168 | 244 | 93 | 66 | 68 | 893 |
Football Athletic Scholarships:
FBS | FCS | D2 | D3 | NAIA | NJCAA | CCCAA |
85 | 63 | 36 | – | 24 | 85 | – |
Recruiting Timeline
Freshman
- Start researching schools. Choose 2 or more schools per week to research
- Start working on getting game film
- Compile a list up to 100 schools you would consider attending
- Start sending letters/emails to those coaches at the schools on your list
- Communicate with coaches and start building relationships
- Take unofficial visits and attend camps offered by schools you are interested in
Key Dates
- Day 1 of Freshman Year: D3 and NAIA Coaches Can Start Calling
- Anytime: Coaches can send Questionnaires, Camp Information, NCAA Materials and Nonathletic Publications
- Anytime: You can call or email coaches
Sophomore
- Continue to research 2 or more schools per week
- Start to narrow down schools that are a good fit for you and make unofficial visits
- Fill out all questionnaires sent to you and send them back
- Create a highlight video and get an evaluation from a 3rd party scout
- Attend camps and combines
Key Dates
- June 15 After Sophomore Year: D2 Coaches can make unlimited phone calls, send text and send emails
- Top Recruits will start to receive offers in summer after sophomore year
- Anytime: You can call or email coaches
Junior
- Continue to make unofficial visits to your narrowed down list of schools
- Reply to every email, phone call, text and questionnaire from a college coach
- Continue communicating with coaches. Ask questions to uncover interest from coaches
- Create another highlight video and get an evaluation from a 3rd party scout
- Continue attending camps and combines
Key Dates
- September 1: First Day FBS/FCS coaches can send hand written letters, send texts and send emails. All forms of private communication permitted
- April 1st to Sunday prior to last Wednesday in June: You can start taking official visits (5 Maximum visits during high school)
- April 15th to May 31st: Spring Evaluation Period – FBS and FCS coaches can call once. Also coaches can go to the high school to meet recruits face to face
- Anytime: You can call or email coaches
Senior
- Schedule up to 5 official visits
- Make another highlight video
- Continue communicating with coaches
- Reply to every email, phone call, text and questionnaire from a college coach
- Apply to colleges of interest
- Sign and Live Your Dream
Key Dates
- Anytime: You can call or email coaches
- First day of Classes: You can start taking official visits again (5 maximum visits during high school)
- September 1st – FBS and FCS coaches can start calling again. (Once per week)
- 3rd Wednesday of December: Early Signing Period NCAA FBS/FCS only (Lasts 3 Days)
- 1st Wednesday of February: Regular Signing Period (FBS/FCS lasts until April 1st, Division 2 lasts until August 1st)
Step 2
Build Your Online Profile
- In today’s world of recruiting, the majority of athletes are discovered online first by college coaches. Create and build your online resume to connect directly to them.
- Track your playing career and get your information verified by your high school and club coaches. Show college coaches you care about playing in college by taking the time to share the full story of you.
Step 3
Contact College Coaches
Find the right fit colleges for you and send your online Profile directly to the coaches at those schools.
- Nothing beats sending your completed, online Profile directly to college coaches. Then when you go to a tournament or event, invite those college coaches to come see you play!