The Year-by-Year Recruiting Timeline for High School Student-Athletes

Katie Andersen is one of College Solutions’ Athletics Specialists, who help guide student-athletes and their families through the increasingly complex college recruiting landscape. Drawing on years of experience working at the intersection of academics, athletics, and admissions, Katie helps families replace uncertainty with clear timelines, realistic expectations, and confident next steps, starting as early as freshman year and continuing through final commitment.

One of the most common questions families ask when their student-athlete begins thinking about college sports is simple—but stressful: “Are we too late?”

With social media full of early verbal commitments and student-athletes announcing offers before they can even drive, it’s easy for families to feel behind. But here’s the truth: as long as a student-athlete is still in high school, it is not too late. Opportunities arise at every point in the journey, and offers may be extended as late as May or June of senior year.

That said, starting early gives student-athletes more options, more clarity, and more confidence. Below is a detailed year-by-year guide to navigating the recruiting process—from the earliest planning stages to final commitment.

Freshman Year: Build the Academic and Athletic Foundation

Prioritize Academic Planning

Freshman year is the ideal starting point for student-athletes to position themselves for future college opportunities, even if they are not yet certain they want to play in college. Laying the groundwork begins in the classroom. Students should choose courses that align with their long-term academic goals, particularly if they plan to target selective colleges that expect rigorous high school transcripts. By establishing strong study habits and staying on track academically early, student-athletes avoid scrambling later to meet admissions or eligibility requirements.

Evaluate Team Environment and Competitive Level

This year is also the time to examine whether the athlete’s current team environment will support their long-term goals. College coaches spend most of their time scouting at events in the most competitive leagues and tournaments, so freshmen should evaluate whether their club or travel team offers those opportunities. If not, this may be the right moment to consider switching teams, pursuing higher-level training environments, or finding coaches who support both development and exposure.

Assess Commitment and Passion

Since becoming a college athlete requires a significant level of discipline, sacrifice, and passion, freshman year is a valuable time for honest reflection. Students should consider whether they genuinely love their sport enough to continue at an elevated level through high school and beyond. Self-awareness tools, such as readiness assessments, can help athletes evaluate their motivation, emotional resilience, and commitment.

Consider Sport Specialization

While early specialization is typically discouraged before eighth grade, high school schedules often make it difficult to maintain involvement in multiple sports. If a student-athlete has a clear preference or a stronger talent area, freshman year is when many begin honing in on their primary sport to ensure they have the time and focus required for development, training, and academic responsibilities.

Sophomore Year: Begin Outreach and Build a Realistic College List

Assess Family Financial Goals

Sophomore year marks the shift from early planning to active preparation. Families should begin discussing college costs and defining a realistic financial framework. Because athletic scholarships are limited—especially outside Division I—most families contribute a significant portion of college expenses. Establishing a clear budget gives counselors and families the clarity needed to build a college list that aligns with academic, athletic, and financial realities.

Get Feedback from Club and Private Coaches

This is also a prime moment for student-athletes to speak with their club or private coaches about their long-term athletic goals. These conversations help athletes better understand what levels of college competition may be realistic and allow coaches to begin advocating for them when speaking with college programs. When a coach knows an athlete is interested in particular types of schools, they can make introductions and referrals when appropriate.

Start Casual College Visits

Sophomores benefit from exploring campuses in a low-pressure, exploratory way. This can include simple drive-throughs after tournaments, informal self-guided tours, or quick visits to athletic facilities. Even brief exposure to different types of campuses—large and small, urban and rural—helps athletes shape their preferences before creating a targeted college list.

Begin Collecting and Updating Game Film

Film collection should become a continuous habit during sophomore year. Athletes should record their games, save clips in an organized system, and begin assembling highlight reels. This ensures that as soon as a coach asks for video—or an athlete begins reaching out—they have relevant, recent footage ready to share.

Start Coach Outreach

Although most Division I coaches cannot communicate directly with prospects until June 15 after sophomore year (check the NCAA Division 1 Manual - Bylaws, Article 13 for sport-specific rules), athletes should begin reaching out to programs now. Early emails can help get their names into databases and trigger invitations to upcoming ID camps. In Division II, III, NAIA, and other associations, coaches are permitted to respond more personally, which may lead to early conversations, guidance on events, and stronger program familiarity.

Junior Year: The Most Critical Recruiting Year

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center

Junior year is often the turning point in the recruiting process. Students hoping to compete at the NCAA Division I or II level should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center before taking any official visits. While Division III and other associations do not require this registration, athletes should confirm requirements with individual programs to avoid delays later.

Complete Standardized Testing Early

Although the NCAA no longer requires standardized tests for Division I or II eligibility, colleges still maintain their own admissions policies, and test scores can influence academic evaluations from coaches. Athletes who complete testing by the spring of their junior year can share scores with coaches, providing clarity on whether they meet institutional academic standards—an important factor for recruits who are on the academic “bubble.”

Increase and Sustain Coach Outreach

Junior year is the time to deepen communication with college coaches. Athletes should be persistent and proactive in updating coaches with new video, transcripts, test scores, and competition schedules. This consistent communication helps coaches track progress and determine whether an athlete should move up on their recruiting board.

Attend Key ID Camps and Showcases

Exposure is essential during junior year. Student-athletes should attend a select number of high-quality ID camps to avoid burnout while maximizing their visibility. Before registering, athletes should reach out to coaches in advance to gauge genuine recruiting interest, as coaches who take the time to respond personally, offer specific feedback, or schedule a phone call are far more likely to be seriously evaluating the athlete for a potential roster spot when the athlete attends camp. The most valuable opportunities are often showcases where college coaches scout in large numbers, especially when attending events with their club teams.

Pursue Official and Unofficial Visits

College visits become especially meaningful in junior year, as this is when most in-person recruiting activity begins. An unofficial visit is a campus visit paid for by the student-athlete’s family, where the prospect can tour the school and, when allowed by NCAA rules, meet with coaches without any financial support from the college. An official visit is a campus visit funded by the college and extended by a formal invitation from a coach, during which the student-athlete can meet with the team, tour facilities, and learn about the program in accordance with NCAA-defined guidelines.

Under current NCAA rules (check the NCAA Bylaws, Article 13 for division and sport-specific dates), Division I student-athletes in most sports may take unlimited official and unofficial visits beginning August 1 before junior year. Division II athletes may begin scheduling both unofficial and official visits starting June 15 before junior year. Visits may not be made during a dead period. Division III athletes may take official visits beginning in the spring of junior year, with unofficial visits allowed at any time. Regardless of division, campus visits provide valuable insight into academic, athletic, and campus environments, and athletes should request coach meetings when permissible to strengthen their understanding of each program.

Senior Year: Final Decisions, Commitments, and Staying Ready

Complete Applications Early

Because the fall season is often packed with competitions, senior athletes are encouraged to complete personal statements and applications during the summer. Early preparation ensures they remain competitive academically and avoid unnecessary stress during one of the busiest times of the year.

Manage Offers and Commitments

Commitments happen at various points—some as early as junior year, others during the summer before senior year, and many during the fall or winter of senior year. Division I and II athletes may sign their athletic financial aid agreements beginning in November. Regardless of timing, athletes should remain focused on finding the right academic, athletic, and financial fit, not simply the earliest offer.

Maintain Academic and Athletic Performance

Once an athlete commits, their responsibilities are far from over. Coaches expect recruits to arrive on campus in peak physical condition and academically prepared. Senior athletes should continue training, competing, and staying engaged in the classroom to ensure they start their college careers strong.

Submit Final Transcripts

After graduation, student-athletes must ensure their high school counselors send final transcripts to the appropriate governing bodies. For NCAA athletes, this includes completing the amateurism certification process and finalizing all eligibility components. This final administrative step is essential to clearing athletes to compete in college.

❓Did you know that College Solutions offers athletics support as part of our specialty admissions programs? Learn more at collegesolutions.com/enrichments!