How recruitment works for high school athletes

Hi all, I’m an upcoming sophomore and I've been playing tennis seriously for a few years now. I've been starting to think about the recruitment process and I was wondering what the process is like for the most recruited high school players, regardless of their sport. Any advice on how to get noticed by college recruiters? Thanks for any responses!

The recruitment process for high school athletes typically starts around the sophomore year of high school, so it's great that you're starting to think about this now.

The first thing you need to do is to start building your athletic resume. This is an overview of your sporting accomplishments, including any competitive results and statistics, along with details of any tournaments or competitions you've participated in. Also, include any other relevant information about your athletic skills or performances, such as your game video footage.

Next, perform some research on potential colleges and their athletic programs. Find colleges that offer your sport–for tennis, schools with strong tennis programs–and see what level they compete in. The NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA are all potential routes depending on your aspirations, academic interests, and athletic ability.

Once you've identified potential schools, reach out directly to the coaches through the team's website or via email. Send them your athletic resume, express your interest in their program, and explain why you think you’d be a good fit. If possible, it can be beneficial to attend a camp or showcase at the school you are interested in, this allows coaches to see you in action.

Remember that academics also play a significant role in athletic recruitment. If you're aspiring to play at an NCAA Division I or II school, you need to meet certain GPA and standardized test score requirements to be eligible for recruitment. Make sure you're performing well academically and staying on top of your studies.

Finally, take advantage of online recruitment platforms. Websites like the NCAA Eligibility Center allow athletes to upload their information and become more visible to recruiters. They're a great way to get your name out there and increase your chances of being noticed by college recruiters.

Keep in mind that your high school coach, athletic director, or any personal coaches you may work with can also be excellent resources throughout this process, as they may have contacts at colleges and universities and might be able to provide more specific advice based on your athletic situation.