Recruiting Checklist for Athletes: Everything You Need Before Contacting Coaches

Why a recruiting checklist changes your outcomes

The difference between athletes who get recruited and athletes who do not is rarely talent alone. It is preparation, organization, and proactive execution. Most athletes who go un-recruited were never seen by the right coaches at the right time — not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked a system.

This checklist gives you that system. Work through it section by section, starting as early as 9th grade. Every item you complete before contacting coaches increases the professionalism of your first impression and the likelihood of a meaningful response.

Academic preparation checklist

Complete these academic steps before or alongside your athletic outreach:

• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at eligibilitycenter.org (D1/D2 athletes — do this by end of junior year at the latest).
• Verify your core course count each semester. You need 16 approved courses for D1 and D2.
• Calculate your core course GPA on the NCAA sliding scale. A minimum of 2.3 is required for D1.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to understand your financial baseline.
• Identify 5-10 schools with academic programs that match your intended major — athletic fit and academic fit must overlap.

Athletic profile checklist

Your digital recruiting profile should be complete before sending a single email:

• Full name, graduation year, position, and sport listed clearly.
• Current GPA and intended major.
• Physical measurements: height, weight, wingspan (if relevant to your sport).
• Athletic statistics from the most recent season — use your sport's relevant metrics.
• Highlight video link (YouTube, unlisted or public). 3-5 minutes, position-specific, recent game footage.
• Club/high school team name and competition level clearly stated.
• Direct contact information — your email and a parent or guardian contact.
• Profile hosted on a platform coaches can access without creating an account.

Highlight video checklist

Before sending your video to any coach, confirm it meets these standards:

• Opening title card with name, graduation year, position, and contact info.
• Best plays within the first 30 seconds.
• Total length: 3-5 minutes. Never longer than 7.
• Resolution: 1080p minimum. No vertical phone video.
• Footage from real games, not practice. Competition context is required.
• Position-specific clips that match what coaches at your target programs evaluate.
• Hosted on YouTube with a direct link — no download required.

Target school research checklist

Before reaching out to any coach, research each program thoroughly:

• Division fit: Is this a D1, D2, D3, or NAIA program? Does the competition level match your abilities honestly?
• Academic fit: Does this school offer your intended major with programs you can succeed in?
• Roster needs: Research the team's current roster. Do they have openings at your position in your graduation year?
• Coaching staff: Know the head coach's name and the name of the assistant coach responsible for your position.
• Financial fit: What is the total cost of attendance? What is the average scholarship package for your sport?

Coach outreach checklist

Every email to a college coach should include these elements:

• Coach's correct name and title (verify on the athletics website — coaches change).
• One specific sentence about why you are interested in their program specifically.
• Your graduation year, position, and club/high school team in the first three lines.
• Your recruiting profile link and highlight video link.
• Your current GPA and intended major.
• A clear next step: "I would welcome a call to discuss fit" or "I plan to attend your camp on [date]."

Campus visit checklist

Before and during any campus visit, evaluate these factors:

• Practice and training facility quality — does it match the program's competitive level?
• Academic support resources for student athletes.
• Team culture — talk to current players without coaches present if possible.
• Your relationship with the coaching staff — do you trust them and believe they will develop you?
• Scholarship offer details in writing — verbal offers are not binding.