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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
Each sport has its own recruiting calendar, but the NCAA broadly defines three important periods that apply across sports:
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.
A well-crafted recruiting profile serves as your child’s digital resume for college coaches. This should include:
The recruiting profile is a centralized document for all this information, helping your athlete present their best self in one organized, professional place.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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