How to get scholarships for playing sports in college?

I'm an athlete looking to pursue sports in college and hopefully receive a scholarship for it. What steps should I be taking right now as a junior to make sure I'm eligible and competitive for sports scholarships?

For student-athletes looking to earn scholarships, there are several steps you can follow to maximize your chances.

1. Excel in Your Sport: The first and most important step is to excel in your chosen sport. You should be actively participating in it, ideally at a high level such as varsity, and consistently improving your skills.

2. Highlight Your Academics: While your sports talents are crucial, your academic performance is also important. College recruiters will look at grades, as the academic eligibility to play in college includes maintaining a certain GPA. Make sure you're meeting those standards.

3. Create a Sports Resume and Highlight Video: Having a sports resume that includes statistics, awards, and references combined with a highlight video of your top plays can be a game-changer. Make sure the video is well-edited and showcases your skills effectively.

4. Contact College Coaches: Don't wait for recruiters to find you. Be proactive in reaching out to coaches at colleges you're interested in. You can send them your sports resume, a link to your highlight video, and a polite, professional email expressing your interest.

5. Attend Sports Camps and Showcases: Many colleges host sports camps or participate in showcase events. They give you a chance to get a feel for being coached by those staff members and also give the coaches a chance to see you in action.

6. Register with the NCAA or NAIA Eligibility Center: If you are looking to play at an NCAA (Division I or II) or NAIA school, you'll need to register with their respective Eligibility Centers. They will verify your academic eligibility and amateur status.

7. Apply to Schools: Apply not only to schools where you'd like to play but where you'd like to study. A strong balance between academics and athletics is important in case injury or other circumstances end your playing career.

8. Keep up with Deadlines: There are different signing periods depending on the sport, so always be aware of these dates.

Remember, all scholarships are annually renewable and not all scholarships are full-rides, many are partial. By effectively showcasing both your athletic and academic abilities and being proactive in your search, you'll increase your chances of earning a sports scholarship.