High school athletes aspiring to play their sport at the collegiate level face the exciting yet challenging task of getting recruited. Thousands of talented student-athletes across the country compete for roster spots each year, and standing out requires more than just physicality and a strong sports IQ. Getting to the next level also takes careful preparation, strategy, and persistence. Navigating the recruitment process may feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can position yourself for success and hopefully nab your desired roster spot.
How to Get Colleges to Notice You For Sports
No matter how skilled you are as an athlete, ability alone isn’t always enough to get you recruited. It’s also important to understand what coaches are looking for and find ways to connect with them.
Make a Highlight Reel
A highlight reel is one of the most effective ways to showcase your best sports moments along with how you developed as an athlete over time. Both of these things matter to coaches. If you know you want to play sports in college, you should start collecting highlights sooner than later. Have someone record your matches, focusing on moments where you shine individually or where your actions help a teammate make a big play.
A strong highlight reel should be around five minutes long and include:
- Clips that demonstrate your standout abilities and growth
- Footage from major competitions that show how you perform under pressure
- Key stats, measurable achievements, GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other accolades
“A highlight reel is sometimes the first time a coach will see a player. Besides wanting to see how someone performs in their position, we also want to get a sense of who the player is. Athletes should include some information about themselves, their GPA, and academic and athletic achievements in their reel too,” said Keith Wing, Head Coach for Villa Maria College’s women’s flag football team.
Reach Out to Multiple Schools
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when trying to get recruited is limiting yourself to only a couple of schools. Even if you have specific institutions in mind that would be a dream come true to play for, you should still reach out to a range of schools. With competition so fierce, part of standing out means taking the initiative to put yourself out there. You never know what opportunities may come because you expressed interest in a particular college.
“It’s so important for student-athletes to advertise themselves,” Coach Wing shared. “If possible, it’s even better for them to make the first move and reach out to us first. We can’t be everywhere at once for scouting, so it really is better for kids to make themselves known to us if they can.”
As for how to reach out to schools, Coach Wing mentioned social media is one of the best ways to connect with recruiters. “We’ve found a lot of girls on our flag football team because they messaged us their highlight reel on social media,” he said.
Meet Coaches In Person
After you’ve talked with coaches or recruiters online, you should schedule a meeting with them in person to not only get to know each other better but also tour the campus and facilities. You should also look into college-hosted athletic camps and trainings.
“We’ve found some of our top recruits because they attended our flag football camps,” Coach Wing shared. “Sometimes you meet an athlete in person and that makes all the difference. You realize that they are a must-have for the team, not just because of how they play but also because of the type of person they are.”
Face-to-face interactions show your interest in the college and its programs, which coaches often appreciate. Plus, these meetings allow coaches to see your athletic abilities and personality firsthand, making it easier for them to figure out how you’d fit into their team.
Be the Kind of Athlete Coaches Want
For recruiters like Coach Wing, athletic ability is only one part of the ideal package. “I look for athletes who are already leaders on their high school teams. I want players who have a lot of grit and determination, and who don’t give up. I also want athletes who perform well academically because that’s ultimately why they’re going to college, to get their education.”
Having a strong character goes a long way with recruiters and may be what sets you apart from other candidates. Another way to stand out is to show coaches and recruiters that you care by maintaining regular communication. Send updates about your performance or even send coaches a message wishing them luck or congratulations. Staying in touch helps keep you top of mind.
Ask the Right Questions
Recruiters are looking for athletes who will be the right fit for their program. Asking the right questions is the way to determine coaches’ expectations for their athletes. According to Coach Wing, you should ask coaches:
- What are the in-season and off-season commitments?
- When are practices and games?
- How do practices and games fit into academic schedules?
- Is there flexibility for missing practices due to academics or other major responsibilities?
Having these conversations will help you find a program that aligns with your goals, values, and needs.
Become a Student-Athlete At Villa
As a USCAA Division I school, Villa offers athletic scholarships across various sports, including basketball, flag football, cheerleading, and esports. The process often begins with communication via email, social media, phone, or a Zoom call and may lead to a campus visit. Our coaches look for students who not only meet athletic standards but also fit the lifestyle and values of their teams. If you’re interested in becoming a Villa Viking, we encourage you to complete our prospective athlete form, contact us on social media, or reach out to our coaching staff directly.
