On February 2, high school football prospects around the nation signed their National Letter of Intent, marking the conclusion of the 2023 recruiting class. The end of this era marks the beginning of a new era for future prospects! Spring recruiting is a crucial time of year as college coaches shift their focus to evaluating and building relationships with 2024 prospects and beyond. This article will provide very important information to prepare yourself for a successful spring recruiting season and to connect with college coaches.
What is spring recruiting?
Spring recruiting begins in February and concludes on May 31. During this 3-4 month time frame, college coaches are allowed to invite prospects to their campus on visits and travel to high schools to evaluate talent. Please make note of these important dates:
Full month of February: DEAD PERIOD
No in person visits ON or OFF the school's campus is allowed during this time
Only phone calls and texts are allowed
*However, FCS football has a quiet period in February and are allowed to conduct on campus visits
March 1 - April 14: QUIET PERIOD
During this time, colleges are allowed to invite prospects to their campus in the form of visits and Junior Day events
No recruiting can be done at the high school institution
April 15 - May 31: EVALUATION PERIOD
During this time, colleges are allowed travel to high school institutions to assess the academic qualifications and playing ability of prospects
How to prepare yourself for this time?
This is the most important time of year to get on a college coach's radar! Check out the spring recruiting checklist below to ensure that you don't miss any essential items as you progress through your recruiting journey.
Fill out recruiting questionnaires
This is often an overlooked method of communication, but is a great way to show a college that you're interested in learning more about their program. Also, a great conversation starter when initiating contact with a college coach because they already have all your information in their recruiting system.
*The College Search Tool gives you access to fill out every recruiting questionnaire in the nation right at your fingertips.
Create a list of target schools
The amount of schools out there can be overwhelming. Narrow down your search by specific criteria like location, division, and academic majors. Then start adding these schools to a list along with the coaches and their contact information. This will make it easier to stay organized and focused throughout the recruiting process.
*The College Search Tool allows you to filter and research schools across the nation based on your needs. You can also download a template to begin organizing your list!
Ask coaches about Junior Day visits
What is a Junior Day? It's an invite-only day at the school for underclassmen, typically in late winter or early spring. Recruits get to tour the campus and meet the coaching staff. They also get to see the meeting rooms, the weight room, the training facilities, the indoor facility, the academic advising facilities, etc.
*The College Search Tool provides DM and Email templates to help you start initiating conversations with college coaches.
Meet with your guidance counselor
Are you on pace to graduate? Map out how many core courses you have left to take to meet NCAA eligibility requirements and ask them to send your transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of the school year. Also, ask about taking or retaking the ACT/SAT tests.
Talk to your high school coaches
Does your high school coach know that you're interested in playing at the next level? Your coach is the most valuable asset in the recruiting process as they are usually the first point of contact for a college coach. Also, your high school coach can help you build a highlight film and invite college coaches to the high school to evaluate you.
Not sure where to start or need help?
The Athletic Academy provides 1 on 1 guidance and counseling for athletes who need help with the recruiting process. Also, our programs help boost online exposure and will increase eyes to your profiles. If interested, check out our Pro Memberships today!