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How to Get Recruited for College Sports: An Ultimate Guide for Parents

Written by Rematch | Aug 15, 2025 2:27:44 PM

When your child shows exceptional talent in sports, it’s only natural to start dreaming of what could come next—perhaps even them playing at the collegiate level. But talent alone isn't enough. 

For student-athletes to stand out to college coaches, they need:

  • A solid academic and athletic foundation
  • A clear strategy for navigating the recruiting process
  • The right visibility tools to get noticed 

As a parent, your role is crucial. With guidance, planning, and support, you can help your child pursue college sports and turn their dreams into reality.

At Rematch, we know how complex and overwhelming the college recruiting process can feel. We’re here to support your athletes through the journey with a clear road map of the college recruiting process and a sports highlight platform to help showcase their talents. 

Step 1: Build the foundation on and off the field.

Before college coaches watch a highlight video or send a recruitment email, they evaluate the basics. Coaches are looking for student-athletes who excel academically, demonstrate elite athleticism, and exhibit the maturity and character needed to thrive on a college team.

Academics: Understand scholarship requirements.

To compete at the college level, athletes must meet minimum academic standards set by the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly known as the Clearinghouse). These include:

  • A minimum 2.3 GPA in 16 core academic courses for Division 1 or a 2.2 GPA for Division 2
  • Completion of specific course requirements in English, math, natural/physical science, and social science
  • SAT or ACT scores that align with the NCAA’s sliding scale for eligibility

Though the NCAA has official GPA minimums, the reality can be more competitive. Many top programs look for students with a 3.0 GPA or higher. A strong academic profile not only keeps your child eligible but also demonstrates the discipline and time management skills coaches value in their athletes. 

As a parent, supporting your child through school and prioritizing balance between academics and sports gives them the best opportunity to compete at the next level.

Athletics: Know what college coaches look for.

Raw talent and athleticism are important, but coaches also pay close attention to sport-specific skills, game IQ, and intangible qualities, such as leadership, coachability, and work ethic. They want to recruit athletes who:

  • Are consistent and competitive in their performance.
  • Demonstrate high levels of focus and resilience under pressure.
  • Show strong teamwork and a willingness to be coached.

Your child doesn’t have to be the best athlete on the field at every moment, but they should consistently show growth, potential, and the right attitude.

Step 2: Proactively navigate the college recruiting process.

Once your child has the foundation in place, it’s time to move from preparation to action. The recruiting process isn’t passive; families need to be organized, proactive, and informed about how and when to connect with coaches.

Be aware of key NCAA recruiting dates.

Each sport has its own recruiting calendar, but the NCAA broadly defines three important periods that apply across sports:

  • Contact period: Coaches can communicate with athletes and families, attend games, and schedule visits.
  • Evaluation period: Coaches may watch athletes compete or practice, but they can’t initiate in-person contact.
  • Dead period: No in-person contact is allowed, although phone calls and emails may still occur.

Recruiting can begin earlier than many parents expect. In some sports, unofficial visits and early communication begin as early as a student’s sophomore year. Junior year is often the most active phase of recruiting, so it’s critical to know your sport’s specific timeline. The NCAA’s website is the best source for up-to-date recruiting calendars.

Create a professional recruiting profile for your athlete.

A well-crafted recruiting profile serves as your child’s digital resume for college coaches. This should include:

  • A clear headshot
  • Basic contact information
  • Academic stats, including GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and class rank, if available
  • Athletic stats, including height, weight, position, and sport-specific metrics
  • Coach references and contact information
  • A high-quality highlight video

The recruiting profile is a centralized document for all this information, helping your athlete present their best self in one organized, professional place.

Step 3: Gain maximum exposure to get noticed by college coaches.

Even the most talented athlete won’t get recruited if they aren’t visible to the right coaches. Exposure is a critical piece of the puzzle and often the one that parents find the most challenging.

The game changer: Make a recruiting highlight video.

A highlight video is often the first impression your child makes on a coach, and in many cases, it’s the deciding factor for a coach to take a closer look. 

An effective highlight video should:

  • Be 2-4 minutes long.
  • Showcase your athlete’s best plays early and clearly.
  • Use arrows or spot shadows to help coaches identify your athlete.
  • Be filmed with steady, high-quality footage.

Creating this kind of video isn’t easy, especially if you’re juggling multiple sports seasons and travel tournaments. That’s where Rematch offers an edge. Our AI-powered platform automatically captures and compiles your child’s top moments, saving you hours of editing time and ensuring that your athlete’s video looks professional and polished.

The direct approach: Email college coaches.

Reaching out to coaches directly shows initiative and maturity. It gives your athlete a chance to stand out from the crowd.

An effective introductory email should include:

  • A personalized subject line (e.g., “2026 midfielder from Dallas – 3.8 GPA – Highlight Video Attached”
  • A brief introduction (name, high school, position, graduation year)
  • Key academic and athletic stats
  • A link to the recruiting profile and Rematch highlight video
  • A short message expressing genuine interest in the school or program

Parents can help their athletes draft and review emails, but the message should come from the student-athlete. Coaches want to hear directly from the student, not the parent.

Partner in your athlete’s success.

Helping your child get recruited for college sports can be a major undertaking, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to support their growth, ambition, and future. Each step, from building a strong academic and athletic foundation to navigating timelines and creating professional highlight videos, requires effort, organization, and encouragement.

Remember, the recruiting process is a journey. While your child must take the lead, your support, resources, and advocacy make all the difference. With tools such as Rematch, families can streamline the process, gain visibility, and focus on what matters most: helping their athlete reach their full potential.

Take the first step today! Start building a profile, organizing footage, and exploring programs to find a fit. The road to college recruitment begins now, and your family doesn’t have to navigate it alone.

Get answers to common FAQs.

What do college coaches look for in an athlete? 

Coaches look for a combination of elite athletic talent, strong academic performance (meeting NCAA eligibility standards), coachability, a strong work ethic, and good character. They want student-athletes who can contribute positively to the team both on and off the field.

When does the recruiting process start? 

The process can begin with research and academic preparation as early as freshman year. Unofficial communication and campus visits can start sophomore year, but strict NCAA rules govern when coaches can initiate contact, which varies by sport. Generally, the most active recruiting period is during a student-athlete’s junior year.

How important is a highlight video for college recruiting? 

A highlight video is critically important. It is often the first—and sometimes only—opportunity an athlete has to make an impression on a college coach. A well-made video serves as a digital resume, showcasing an athlete's skills and potential.

Can you play college sports without being actively recruited? 

It is extremely difficult. The vast majority of D1 athletes are identified and evaluated through the formal college recruiting process. While some athletes may earn a spot as a walk-on through tryouts, these positions are rare and highly competitive.

What is the minimum GPA for a sports scholarship? 

The NCAA requires a minimum 2.3 GPA in 16 approved core courses to be eligible for D1 competition and a 2.2 GPA for D2. However, most universities and coaches have much higher academic standards, often looking for a GPA of 3.0 or above to consider an athlete for a scholarship.

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