Top 10 College Sports Recruiting Myths Busted
If you’re a high school athlete who dreams of playing college sports, you’ve probably heard a lot of different opinions about the college sports recruiting process. Unfortunately, not all these opinions are accurate, and many myths and misconceptions about college sports recruiting can prevent athletes from reaching their full potential. In this post, we’re going to bust the top 10 college sports recruiting myths once and for all.
Myth #1: College coaches will find me if I’m good enough… Many high school athletes believe that if they’re talented enough, college coaches will magically appear and offer them scholarships. Unfortunately, this is not the case. College coaches are incredibly busy, and they rely on athletes to take the initiative and reach out to them. If you want to play college sports, you need to be proactive and take control of your recruiting process.
Myth #2: Only Division I schools offer athletic scholarships… While it’s true that Division I schools offer athletic scholarships, they are not the only ones. Division II, NAIA, and Junior Colleges can all also offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes. In fact, a lot of Division III school’s offer need-based aid that can cover a significant portion of a student-athlete’s tuition as well.
Myth #3: The only way to get recruited is to play on a travel team… Playing on a travel team can certainly help you get noticed by college coaches, but it’s not the only way to get recruited. Many coaches attend high school games and tournaments, and some even attend showcases that are specifically designed for high school athletes. It’s important to have a well-rounded recruiting strategy that includes playing on a travel team, attending showcases, and reaching out to coaches directly. The most important thing to build your exposure for college coaches nationwide is to have a good athletic resume put together for them in a place they can find it. College Sport Recruiter is a great option for this. CLICK HERE to start building your athletic resume right now.
Myth #4: Coaches only care about my athletic ability… While your athletic ability is certainly important, coaches also care about your character, work ethic, and academic performance. College coaches want to recruit athletes who will not only contribute to their team on the field, but also represent the school well off the field. A higher GPA often means it will be easier for the college coach to come up with a more substantial scholarship for you as well as open up more opportunities.
Myth #5: If I don’t get recruited by a certain age, it’s too late… There’s no specific age by which you need to be recruited in order to play college sports. While it’s true that many athletes are recruited during their junior or senior year of high school, some are recruited earlier or later. You actually become an established recruit on your first day of high school your freshmen year! If you’re committed to becoming a college athlete, you should really be starting your recruiting process before going into high school. The important thing is to stay committed to your sport and continue to work hard, regardless of when you’re recruited.
Myth #6: I have to choose between academics and athletics… This is perhaps one of the biggest myths surrounding college sports recruiting. In reality, many colleges and universities offer strong academic programs and competitive athletic programs. By choosing a school with a strong balance between academics and athletics, you can have the best of both worlds. It has also been shown that students who play college sports, on average, perform better in the classroom than those who do not. This is because they have more eyes on them making sure they’re not falling behind in classes, and more opportunities for help from coaches, teammates, and the athletic department at the college or university.
Myth #7: If I don’t hear back from a college coach, it means they’re not interested… Coaches receive hundreds if not thousands of emails and phone calls from prospective student-athletes every year, so it’s possible that they may not respond to every message they receive. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not interested in recruiting you. If you don’t hear back from a coach, it’s ok. Just make sure you’re not giving up on them. Continue to reach out to college coaches with updates on your achievements both academically and athletically that will impress them.
Myth #8: My High School or club coach will do all the work for me… While high school and club coaches can certainly help guide and advise you on the recruiting process, it’s ultimately up to you to take charge and actively promote yourself to college programs. You need to be proactive in reaching out to coaches, attending showcases and camps, and putting in the work to improve your skills and make yourself an attractive prospect. This means making sure you have an online recruiting profile put together for college coaches to see everything they need to recruit you in one place, and you need to start building relationships with coaches nationwide as soon as possible. If you haven’t started doing this yet, CLICK HERE to start building your Recruiting Profile.
Myth #9: Only top-ranked athletes get recruited… While being a highly ranked athlete certainly increases your chances of getting recruited, it’s not the only factor that college coaches consider. Coaches also look for athletes who are a good fit for their program, have strong work ethic and character, and show potential for growth and improvement. So even if you’re not a top-ranked athlete, don’t give up on your dreams of playing college sports.
Myth #10: You can’t negotiate athletic scholarships… While athletic scholarships are often awarded based on a predetermined amount, there is usually some room for negotiation. If you have offers from multiple schools, you can try to negotiate a higher scholarship amount or better financial aid package. It’s important to remember that athletic scholarships are just one part of the equation when it comes to paying for college, so make sure to consider all your options and weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Now that we’ve busted some of the most common college sports recruiting myths, it’s important to approach the recruiting process with an open mind and a willingness to put in the work. Don’t let these myths discourage you or limit your options – instead, focus on building strong relationships with college coaches, improving your skills and athleticism, and finding the best fit for you both academically and athletically. With persistence, hard work, and a bit of luck, you can achieve your dreams of playing college sports.
