5 Mistakes to Avoid During Your College Recruiting Efforts

Embarking on the college soccer recruiting journey is an exciting mix of joy, challenges, and uncertainty.

With countless options and high expectations, it’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed!

The choices you make today will affect you for many years. For this reason, we’ll tell you about five mistakes you should avoid.

Mistakes You’ll Want to Avoid in the College Recruiting Process

1. Procrastinating the Start of the Process

It’s easy to think, “I’ve got time,” but in reality, the time goes quick. College coaches are eager to figure out their rosters so you should prioritize your efforts.

Waiting until the end of your junior or senior year to start reaching out could mean missing out on great opportunities.

Many coaches start evaluating talent during your sophomore or junior year.

What You Can Do Instead: Begin the process early! Duh! Don’t let college recruiting to chance. Build your list of schools, start reaching out to coaches, create your highlight video, attend showcases, and be proactive.

2. Picking Schools Just Based on the Name

When you’re passionate about soccer, it’s easy to get caught up in the dream of playing at the biggest or most well-known schools.

But the truth is, college is about more than just soccer—it’s about academics, campus life, and where you’ll feel most comfortable over the next few years.

I know most players want to play for a big ACC school but don’t get caught up in the hype. It may not be a good fit for you (and that’s okay).

What You Can Do Instead: Zoom out and see the entire picture. Make sure you’re looking at schools from a 360-degree perspective. Consider life after school and what will make you happy in the next four years. Also, be sure to consider programs across all divisions (D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO). There are countless amazing opportunities out there if you keep an open mind.

3. Sending Boring Emails to Coaches

Coaches receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of emails from prospective players. Sending a boring or generic email will get put in the “everyone else” pile. Be unique and try to stand out in your intro emails.

What You Can Do Instead: Personalize every email you send to coaches. You should address the coach by last name and mention something that is unique to their program. Show that you’ve done your research and that you’re genuinely excited about the possibility of playing for them. A thoughtful, personalized message goes a long way!

4. Being Too Incognito Online

Whether you like it or not, social media is how we connect. More and more college coaches are using platforms like Instagram and YouTube to discover and follow potential recruits.

If your profiles don’t represent you well—or worse, reflect poorly on you—coaches might move on, even if your soccer skills are top-notch.

What You Can Do Instead: Keep your social media professional and 90% focused on soccer. Share your progress, training routines, and game highlights. Make sure your posts reflect a positive, dedicated athlete who is serious about playing at the next level. You never know when a coach might check out your profile, so make it stand out!

5. Skimping Out on Academics

Many athletes put all their eggs in one basket – their sport.

Soccer may be your passion, but don’t forget—college is about academics too. Coaches are looking for student-athletes who can balance the demands of both the classroom and the field.

If your grades or test scores don’t meet the school’s standards, it could impact your chances of getting recruited, even if you’re an amazing player. Unfortunately, I’ve seen this happen all too often.

What You Can Do Instead: Work hard in the classroom. Make sure you work with your guidance counselor to stay on top of your academic path. Getting good grades shows coaches that you are a hard worker, dedicated, and committed to success.