Playing college football is a dream for many high school athletes, but navigating the recruitment process can be challenging. With only about 7% of high school football players advancing to the college level, and roughly 3% making it to Division 1, it’s essential to have a well-thought-out strategy. Here’s what it takes to get recruited to play college football, and how Athlete Pipeline can help streamline the process.

How to Get Recruited to Play College Football

To succeed, athletes must combine athletic talent with a proactive approach to the recruiting process. Here are some key steps:

• Research Division Levels: Understand the different levels (D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO) and determine where your skills are best suited.
• Build a Target List: Once you know where you fit, create a list of schools that align with your academic and social preferences. Athlete Pipeline makes it easier to research and track these schools.
• Contact Coaches: Send your highlight reel and stats to coaches directly, using Athlete Pipeline to manage communications and keep everything organized.
• Schedule Visits: After building relationships with coaches, schedule campus visits to assess whether the school is a good fit both academically and athletically.

When Does Football Recruiting Start?

Recruiting generally starts in the sophomore or junior year of high school, but elite athletes may receive attention earlier. For Division 1 programs, recruiting often wraps up by the end of the junior year. Using Athlete Pipeline, athletes can stay ahead of the curve by keeping their profiles updated with new stats and game footage, ensuring coaches stay informed of their progress.

Importance of Star Ratings in Football Recruiting

Star ratings from sources like Rivals and ESPN are a common metric used to evaluate recruits:

• Five stars: Elite prospects expected to make an immediate impact.
• Four stars: Highly-rated athletes who will likely contribute early.
• Three stars: Solid prospects who may need some time to develop.
• Two stars: Athletes with potential for growth but needing more development.

While star ratings are helpful, they aren’t the only factor in recruitment. Many successful college players have come from lower star ratings, and Athlete Pipeline allows players to showcase their abilities beyond just these rankings.

Level-Set Your Talent and Expectations

Before diving into recruitment, ask yourself:

• Am I ready for college football’s demands? Balancing academics, training, and games requires dedication.
• Am I good enough? Seek feedback from your high school coach or a third-party evaluator to understand where you stand.
• What division level fits me best? Athlete Pipeline can help you assess your potential and determine which division level is right for you.

Create a Standout Highlight Video

Coaches rely heavily on highlight reels to evaluate recruits. To make an impact:

• Use varsity game footage to showcase your abilities against top competition.
• Skip lengthy intros and music—coaches want to see gameplay.
• Put your best plays at the start to capture attention immediately.

Athlete Pipeline provides tools to easily upload and share your highlight video with coaches, increasing your visibility throughout the recruiting process.

Be Proactive: Reach Out to Coaches

Don’t wait for coaches to find you—take the initiative. Send an introductory email with your video, follow up with calls, and keep coaches updated with new stats and footage. Athlete Pipeline can track your communication, making it easier to maintain momentum.

Get Your High School Coach Involved

Your high school coach can help facilitate introductions and provide game footage or recommendations to college coaches. Athlete Pipeline allows you to centralize these communications, ensuring your coach stays connected to your recruitment efforts.

Attend Football Camps, Combines, and Showcases

These events provide exposure to coaches and offer a chance to verify your stats—something college programs highly value. Athlete Pipeline can notify you of upcoming events and help you track your performance.

Manage the Recruiting Process

As you progress, keep your highlight video updated, maintain communication with coaches, and visit campuses to ensure a good fit. Athlete Pipeline provides reminders and tracking tools, helping you manage this complex process with ease.

Scholarship Offers and Negotiations

D1 scholarships are typically full rides, while other divisions may offer partial scholarships. To get the best offer, it’s helpful to have interest from multiple schools. Athlete Pipeline helps you manage multiple conversations and track offers, so you can make the most informed decision.

Sign with Your Top School

Once you’ve selected your school, you’ll sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to formalize your commitment. Make sure you fully understand the terms before signing. Athlete Pipeline keeps all the details organized, so nothing gets overlooked during this critical step.

Conclusion

Recruiting for college football takes persistence, communication, and preparation. With the right strategy and tools like Athlete Pipeline, athletes can streamline their recruiting journey, gain visibility, and secure a spot on a college roster. Start building your profile and make your dream of playing college football a reality.