If you’re a student-athlete with hopes of playing in college, there’s one thing you need to know: the recruiting process starts much earlier than most people think.
College coaches are identifying and evaluating athletes as early as 7th and 8th grade. While that may seem surprising, it’s the reality of today’s recruiting landscape. Many families assume the process kicks off in high school, usually around junior year, but by that point, opportunities are already gone.
Early Evaluation: Why It Matters
When coaches talk with scouts and begin identifying athletes in middle school, they’re not handing out offers, but they are watching. They’re taking note of physical development, athletic potential, work ethic, academic standings, and overall character. This early identification is about building a list of prospects they can follow and evaluate over time.
By the time athletes hit their sophomore or junior year, some college programs, especially at the Division I level, have already built a recruiting board based on players they’ve tracked for years. That means they are making offers and finalizing their roster spots.
Early identification and evaluation is also crucial for the high school athlete to build relationships with college coaches. At some point your spot will be put into question when a college athlete enters the transfer portal. That relationship you built might be what saves your offer.
The Recruiting Clock Is Ticking
Recruiting is a long-term process, and college coaches don’t wait until the last minute. Whether you’re ready or not, evaluations and decisions are happening behind the scenes. Starting late doesn’t just make the process more stressful, it will shrink the number of opportunities available.
So, when should the recruiting process start? It already has.
The earlier you get identified and evaluated by an NSR scout, the more time you have to find the right fit and the more time college coaches have to truly get to know the kind of athlete and person you are.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.