recruitingtimeline

• Start early. Recruiting can begin much earlier than most athletes realize, sometimes even in middle school.
• Take control. Your recruiting journey is uniquely yours. You are the one who will be directly impacted by whether or not you play college sports or earn a scholarship. Take charge of your recruiting process right away, as you only get one chance to make it happen.

The first step in the recruiting process is to familiarize yourself with the opportunities in your sport.

Football programs by level, as listed on o-d.com.

• Start researching schools. Choose 2 or more schools per week to research.
• Start working on getting game film.
• Compile a list of up to 100 schools you would consider attending.
• Start sending letters and emails to the 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.

• 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.
• June 15 after sophomore year: D2 coaches can make unlimited phone calls, send texts and send emails.
• Top recruits will start to receive offers in the summer after sophomore year.

• 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.
• September 1: first day FBS/FCS coaches can send hand-written letters, texts and emails. All forms of private communication permitted.
• April 1 to the Sunday prior to the last Wednesday in June: you can start taking official visits (5 maximum during high school).
• April 15 to May 31: spring evaluation period. FBS and FCS coaches can call once, and can go to the high school to meet recruits face to face.

• Schedule up to 5 official visits.
• Make another highlight video.
• Continue communicating with coaches.
• Apply to colleges of interest.
• Sign and live your dream.
• First day of classes: you can start taking official visits again (5 maximum during high school).
• September 1: 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 1; Division 2 lasts until August 1.

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.

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.