(UPDATED 8/20/24) Hopefully, you have taken the time to read our previous blog post detailing the importance of September 1st in the world of athletic recruiting, especially if you are in the class of 2026. Now that we are past September 1st, here are some tips to consider as we move into the Fall season!
If you have heard from college coaches, make sure you are responding back in a timely manner and remaining responsive even if that school might not be at the top of your list.
This is an exciting time on the recruiting calendar, but waiting to hear from coaches who want to take that next step with you, can be stressful.
If you have not heard from any coaches at this time, do not panic! This is just the start of coaches having the ability to communicate with you, and their focus is just moving towards the class of 2026. You may be unsure about how to handle the recruiting process now that we are past September 1st.
Here are five tips to consider now that this date is behind us.
- If you have not introduced yourself to any coaches yet, start off by putting together a list of programs you would like to contact, to let them know you are interested. We typically recommend that you have anywhere from 20-30 schools on this list, making sure you have a wide variety of programs. Have some schools that you consider a reach, a fit, and a safety option for you both athletically and academically.
- If you have been proactive in your outreach to college coaches, now is a good time to check back in with those schools to see where they are in their process of recruiting the class of 2026. Find out if they are still looking for your position to determine if that school will stay on your list or not. If you feel that they are interested, try to set up a phone call to learn more about their program.
- Make sure your most up-to-date video is available for coaches to view. SportsRecruits makes it easy to have your full video library available for coaches looking to evaluate you. Remember, athletes with video on their profile are 11 times more likely to receive views from college coaches.
- Find opportunities to compete in front of the programs you are interested in. If you are unable to find a prospect day they are hosting or an event the coaches are attending, go to the admissions website to look for campus tour opportunities.
- If you don’t receive a lot of positive feedback from college coaches over the next few months, consider expanding your list of schools. Opportunities at the DIII, NAIA, or Juco level may not be on your list now, but this is a good time to re-evaluate what level is the best fit for you athletically. Check-in with your current athletic advocates (club coach, high school coach, trainer, etc.) to ask for their feedback.
Good luck with your communication for this next phase of your recruiting journey. As always, continue to be proactive, put the work in on and off the field, and make sure your SportsRecruits profile is up to date.
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Mike Babich is a Senior Recruiting Analyst at SportsRecruits. Mike has experience in collegiate athletics as a former football student-athlete at Mount Ida College, as well as a Graduate Assistant and Assistant Football Coach at Long Island University. He also served in the role of an Admissions Counselor for two years at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York. He has a passion for helping student-athletes better navigate and understand the recruiting process.
