What should freshmen know about the college sports recruiting process?

I've been hearing a lot about the sports recruiting process for college, but I'm still a bit confused. As a freshman athlete, what steps should I take and what timelines should I be aware of to get recruited for college sports?

As a freshman athlete, you have ample time to prepare and work towards the goal of being recruited for college sports. Here are some of the stages of the recruitment process along with recommendations that should assist you:

1. Research: Start with researching different schools and their sports programs. Focus on schools that align with your academic and athletic goals. Also look into the potential coaches at these institutions, what their coaching style is like, and their history in developing athletes.

2. Develop Your Skills: The most crucial aspect to being recruited is your athletic skill. Consistently train and practice to continuously improve. It's often helpful to join a club team in addition to your high school team to gain more opportunities for development and exposure.

3. Academics Matter: Colleges look at both athletics and academics. Maintain a strong GPA, as colleges want athletes who can balance the rigorous demands of both sports and academics.

4. Reach Out: Proactively reach out to college coaches. As per NCAA rules, college coaches cannot initiate contact with a recruit before June 15 at the end of their sophomore year. However, you as a student-athlete, can reach out to coaches at any time. When the time is right, you can send emails with your sport highlights, academic records, and expression of interest in their program.

5. NCAA Eligibility: Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, which ensures you meet the academic standards to compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics.

6. Promote Yourself: Prepare a highlight reel that showcases your sport-specific skills and accomplishments. A well-made highlight reel, coupled with your statistics and achievements, can be a powerful tool in attracting the attention of college coaches.

7. Keep Options Open: Don't limit yourself to only Division I schools. Division II, Division III, NAIA, and Junior Colleges also offer great opportunities for athletes.

By starting this journey early in your high school career, you're giving yourself the best chance to be recruited to play your sport at the collegiate level. Good luck!