Soccer Student Athletes: Navigating the College Recruiting Process

Playing college soccer is an exciting yet complex process. Knowing where to start and what steps to take can make all the difference. For aspiring athletes, developing a strong foundation is key, and that's where Salvo SC comes in. 

At Salvo SC, we pride ourselves on training and guiding young soccer players from their earliest years, molding them into the ideal candidates for college soccer.  

Salvo SC provides the ideal environment to launch and accelerate their soccer career, preparing them for both the field and life's challenges. Let’s examine the typical timeline for high school soccer athletes, what coaches look for, and how to effectively showcase their talent. 

Timeline to Impress College Soccer Coaches

The college soccer recruiting timeline has become even more competitive, which means athletes should focus on impressing potential coaches and programs early in their education careers. 

This is particularly true for NCAA Division I and II programs. Let’s look at a typical timeline for college recruitment and what soccer players should focus on during those years. 

Freshman Year (9th Grade)

The first thing all athletes should focus on, no matter which sport, is their academics. Coaches will not recruit athletes who don’t meet academic eligibility. Focus on maintaining a strong GPA from day one and take challenging courses. 

It is wise to understand the NCAA/NAIA core course requirements and focus on subjects that align with the subject you plan to study in college. 

In addition to choosing a course of study, you should start researching colleges you may want to apply to by considering factors such as college size, environment, location, and academic programs. 

As for your soccer career, make sure you are playing highly competitive club soccer. Some college coaches primarily scout at competitive soccer clubs like Salvo Soccer Club, along with tournaments and showcases. Playing at the highest level available in Minnesota is crucial. 

You should also start having a family member or friend record your game footage. Even raw footage is valuable at this point. You don’t need to contact coaches yet, but you need to be visible. 

Sophomore Year (10th Grade)

In addition to your freshman year tasks, a new addition to your routine includes building an online player profile or resume. Create an online recruiting profile on platforms like NCSA, SportsRecruits, or your club’s system. 

Include academic info, stats, team info, and a link to your highlight video (that you should have made from your game footage). 

Begin creating your college lists of 20-30 target schools that match your academic and athletic level. Categorize them into different levels, such as dream schools, safety schools, etc. 

You can also start sending introductory messages to coaches. While D1/D2 coaches cannot respond directly until June 15th after your sophomore year, they can receive your information and start evaluating you. 

Another important thing to do is attend ID camps at colleges you’re interested in, or high-profile showcases where coaches are present. 

Junior Year (11th Grade)

Junior year is crucial for communication. June 15th, after your sophomore year, is a key date to write in your calendar. For NCAA D1 and D2 schools, this is when coaches can officially begin direct communication with athletes. 

During this time, it’s also important to refine your communication and actively follow up with coaches. Send updated highlight videos and academic transcripts. 

For academics, make sure you take the ACT and SAT. High scores on these tests may be required to get admitted into your choice of schools. Send your scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center. 

You can also start scheduling unofficial visits to the campuses of the schools you want to attend. You can meet with coaches on unofficial visits, but you pay for it yourself. Make sure you keep attending showcase events and major tournaments that coaches will be attending. 

Senior Year (12th Grade)

During your senior year, you are allowed up to five official visits to D1/D2 schools (expenses paid by the school). You should also be applying for financial aid, scholarships, and college applications during this time. 

If you are recruited, you will be expected to make a decision. Coaches are looking to finalize their rosters, so be prepared to make your decision and commit to a program. Signing periods for D1/D2 typically occur in November and April. 

Lastly, stay engaged until you officially sign. Offers for D2, D3, and NAIA schools can continue into senior year. 

What Coaches Look for in Potential Recruits

Your playing ability will only get you so far. Coaches are looking for much more in a player, so let’s look at what coaches want in their ideal soccer players.

• Academics: These are non-negotiable, and you must meet the standards they require.

• Athletic Ability and Technical Skill: Coaches look for position-specific skills, athleticism, game intelligence, and two-way play. 

• Mental Toughness and Character: Your coaches are looking for your coachability, your level of effort, your resilience, leadership, attitude, and competitiveness.

• Overall Fit for the Program: They will want to know that you fit the playing style of the team, the program’s needs, and that you work well with the current team chemistry. 

How to Showcase Your Soccer Talent

Ensuring your talent can reach across the country (or the world if you’re looking to go international) is essential. Here are some tips on showcasing your talent: 

• Create a high-quality highlight video that utilizes game footage with a suitable camera angle to showcase your position-specific skills and talents. 

• Create a comprehensive online recruiting profile, including your academic transcripts, test scores, athletic stats, awards, references, and highlight video link. 

• Send personalized emails to coaches rather than using a standard template for everyone. Keep it tailored to each individual. 

• Attending ID camps and showcases to show off your skills in person.

• Utilize your club and high school coaches as contacts and leverage them as advocates for you. 

• Ask your parents for help in supporting your goals. 

Accelerate Your Soccer Career with Salvo SC

Salvo SC prides itself on training and guiding young soccer players to achieve their dreams of high-level soccer achievements. Whether your child is two years old or ten years old, we can help them learn the skills and mental fortitude to take them all the way to a college soccer career. 

Our coaches and staff teach young athletes about teamwork, leadership, and respect, preparing them for both soccer and adult life. 

Join our club today or call us at 612-503-4738 for more information.