Recruiting Guide

Your Roadmap to College Football Recruiting: A Step-by-Step Guide for High School Athletes 

By Ed Slezinger

Kangs and their families on signing day

For high school football players who dream of playing at the next level — whether that’s NCAA, NAIA, or Junior College — the recruiting journey can feel overwhelming. Timelines, eligibility rules, camps, communication strategies, highlight films, and social media all play a role. Kangs have played at the college level, and even the NFL, at all types of schools - from the University of Washington to the Colorado School of Mines. 

The good news? With clear planning, consistent effort, and a proactive approach, you can take ownership of your recruiting story.

Here’s a practical roadmap to help players and families navigate the process.

1. Start Early: Freshman–Sophomore Year

Academics First

Strong academics create opportunities.

Stay on top of your coursework, challenge yourself with college-prep classes, and begin thinking about your long-term academic interests. If you plan to pursue NCAA Division I or II athletics, you should become familiar with NCAA eligibility requirements early in high school.

Build Your Foundation

These years are about development.

Focus on:

• Athletic development

• Football IQ

• Strength, speed, and mobility

• Position-specific technique

• Good practice habits and leadership skills

This is also the time to begin setting goals — both academically and athletically.

Create a Recruiting Plan

Start thinking intentionally about your future.

Ask yourself:

• What level fits my goals? (D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO)

• What schools align with my academic interests?

• What environments would help me grow as a student, athlete, and person?

Remember: the right fit goes far beyond the logo on the helmet.

2. Build a Strong Recruiting Profile (Sophomore–Junior Year)

Your recruiting profile is your résumé — and your highlight film is your cover letter.

College coaches evaluate prospects quickly, so presentation matters.

Highlight Video Tips

Your film should be concise, organized, and easy to evaluate.

Best practices:

• Start with 30–45 seconds of your best plays

• Include a 2–3 minute end-of-season highlight reel

• Show impact plays with and without the ball

• Clearly identify yourself before each play

• Include:

  • Position

  • Jersey number

  • Height / weight

  • Graduation year

  • GPA

  • Contact information

Keep graphics simple. Avoid music, flashy editing, or distracting effects.

Establish Your Online Presence

Platforms like Hudl and X (Twitter) are major recruiting tools.

Your profile should include:

• Updated bio

• Position

• Height / weight

• GPA

• Graduation year

• School and location

• Contact information

Keep everything current each season.

3. Get on Coaches’ Radars (Junior Year)

Camps & Combines

Exposure matters.

College camps — particularly those hosted by programs you’re targeting — allow coaches to evaluate players in person, verify measurements, and assess movement, competitiveness, and coachability.

Do your research and choose camps strategically.

Be Proactive With Communication

Don’t wait for coaches to discover you.

Reach out directly.

Send personalized emails or direct messages that include:

• Your highlight video

• Academic information

• Athletic measurables

• Genuine interest in their program

Follow up after camps, games, and major updates. Persistence matters.

Take Unofficial Visits

Unofficial visits can provide valuable insight into campus culture, facilities, coaching staffs, and overall fit.

Even before offers arrive, visiting schools can help you refine your target list.

4. Recruiting Communication & Offers (Junior–Senior Year)

When Coaches Can Contact You

For Division I football programs, recruiting communication rules vary by level and activity type, but major recruiting communication opportunities begin opening after your sophomore year.

Understanding recruiting timelines helps players maximize visibility and prepare for key windows of contact.

Types of Recruiting Interest

Interest can show up in many forms, including:

• Verbal scholarship offers

• Camp invitations

• Questionnaires

• Emails

• Direct messages

• Phone calls

Remember: verbal offers are not binding.

Official Visits

During your senior year, programs may invite recruits on official visits, allowing players and families to experience the school, coaching staff, facilities, and culture firsthand.

These visits can play a major role in decision-making.

5. Commitment & Signing

Verbal Commitment

A verbal commitment is a non-binding pledge between a player and a program.

Financial Aid Agreements & Signing

College athletics has evolved in recent years.

At the Division I level, the traditional National Letter of Intent (NLI) model has largely shifted toward written financial aid and institutional scholarship agreements.

Understanding what you’re signing — and discussing it with your family — is important.

Caption: Zeke Pelluer signing with the University of Washington

6. Stay Eligible

Zeke Pelluer signing with the University of Washington

Athletic talent matters — but eligibility matters just as much.

Players should focus on:

• Maintaining strong core-course GPAs

• Meeting applicable testing or admissions requirements

• Graduating on time

• Preserving amateur status

Bottom line:

A 4.4 forty won’t help if you can’t clear admissions or eligibility requirements.

🗓️ Key Recruiting Calendar Dates (2026–27)

Understanding the NCAA recruiting calendar is important because different periods determine when coaches can evaluate players, communicate, and conduct in-person recruiting activities.