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Next Level Talks - Select Generation Podcast
Fulfilling the Dream of Playing College Soccer
The path to college soccer often begins long before the recruitment process officially starts. That's why it's so important to gather the right information and choose the perfect college soccer program. To help, we've put together this comprehensive guide to assist athletes in finding the ideal fit.
From participating in club tournaments to utilizing top college recruiting websites, this guide breaks down key areas to assist student-athletes throughout their recruitment journey. Typically, the soccer recruiting process intensifies during 10th grade. In fact, according to a survey of college coaches, 74% of Division 1 men's soccer coaches start evaluating players in 10th grade, and another 22% begin in 11th grade. That's why gaining club experience and competing in tournaments at a young age is crucial for student-athletes aiming to navigate the recruitment process successfully. Understanding what college programs seek in players will give them an edge.
Readers should also refer to our broader College Recruiting Guide, which details the recruitment process from start to Signing Day.
NCAA Recruiting Rules and Calendar for College Men’s Soccer
NCAA Division I regulations limit when coaches can actively recruit and communicate with men's soccer prospects, official contact generally can't begin until after an athlete's sophomore year. However, many athletes appear to commit to college programs earlier than that. How is this possible? Early interest often develops through camps, questionnaires, club and high school coaches, and athlete-initiated research, even before formal recruiting conversations are permitted. Understanding both the official NCAA rules and how the unofficial recruiting process really works gives players a clearer picture of the full journey.
Familiarize yourself with the NCAA men's soccer recruiting rules and calendar to stay informed.
Compare Yourself to Other Players Using Men's Soccer Recruiting Benchmarks
To create an effective recruitment strategy, it's important for players to evaluate their own abilities accurately. Knowing what coaches seek in players helps recruits build a list of potential schools that fit their qualifications and athletic level. Competing in programs like the U.S. Development Academy, Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), or the Olympic Development Program (ODP) provides recruits the chance to face top talent. Comparing their own physical traits and skill sets with current college players is another great way to assess where they stand.
We've put together guidelines that will help athletes identify the right level of competition for them.
Learn the Basics of Men’s Soccer Scholarships
Athletic scholarships are available at the Division 1, Division 2, NAIA, and junior college levels. However, scholarship structures now vary more than before: following the 2025 House settlement, NCAA Division I no longer sets sport-specific scholarship limits, instead, each school has a roster limit and can choose to offer scholarships to any or all athletes on that roster. Coaches still have the option to offer full or partial scholarships, and Division 3 doesn't offer athletic scholarships but does have other financial aid options. In this section, we'll explain how scholarships are distributed today, along with how athletes in Division 3 can find financial aid.
See how much soccer scholarship funding you could qualify for.
How to Get Noticed by College Soccer Coaches
Speed, technical ability, and a strong club soccer background are all qualities that college coaches look for. However, recruits must take an active role in making sure coaches are aware of them. In this section, we break down the steps to a proactive recruitment process, including identifying the right schools, reaching out to coaches, and building relationships with soccer programs that are a good match.
International Soccer Scholarships for College Athletes
Approximately 21% of men's soccer players at the Division 1 and Division 2 levels in the U.S. come from international backgrounds. While soccer programs are open to recruiting international players, the process is more complex for athletes outside of the U.S. This section covers important details for international players, including academic qualifications and how to connect with coaches.
Learn more about U.S. soccer scholarships for international athletes.
Create a Standout Recruiting Video
Although college soccer coaches prefer to watch prospects play live, most use highlight videos as part of their evaluations. Our expert team of former college coaches offers tips on creating an outstanding recruiting video, from what footage to include to how to film during games.
Attend Soccer Tournaments, ID Camps, and Clinics
Tournaments are one of the top ways Division 1 coaches evaluate talent, followed by ID camps and clinics. Competing against other high-level athletes provides valuable exposure, and these events offer recruits a chance to be seen by numerous coaches over a short period.
Find Soccer Colleges in All Divisions
With over 1,400 college men's soccer programs across the U.S., it can be challenging for athletes to narrow down their options. In this section, we outline the differences between Division 1, 2, 3, NAIA, and junior colleges, helping athletes find their best fit.
Learn more about the differences between college soccer divisions.
Best Men’s Soccer Recruiting Websites
While this guide offers a detailed overview of the recruiting process, several external websites provide additional insights. Platforms like Got Soccer, Top Drawer Soccer, and US Youth Soccer offer resources on tournament rankings and recruiting news, providing players with useful tools as they navigate the process.
NCAA Men’s Soccer Recruiting Rules and Calendar
When can men's soccer coaches reach out to recruits? For most Division I sports, including men's soccer, official communication, verbal offers, emails, calls, texts, and recruiting letters, generally is permitted starting June 15 following an athlete's sophomore year, while official/unofficial visits and off-campus contact generally begin August 1 before junior year. Other divisions and NAIA may have different timelines. This section provides a detailed breakdown of the NCAA and NAIA soccer recruiting rules and calendars, along with the specific dead periods and quiet periods for the current academic year. Confirm current dates at NCAA.org before contacting a coach.
Understanding NCAA Soccer Recruiting Rules (2025–2026)
The NCAAhas specific recruiting rules that guide when and how college coaches cancommunicate with prospective student-athletes. These rules vary by division,sport, and grade level, so athletes and families should understand both therecruiting rules and the recruiting calendar before planning campus visits,contacting coaches, or attending recruiting events.
Even thoughdirect coach communication is limited before certain dates, the recruitingprocess often begins earlier. Many college soccer coaches start evaluating players through tournaments, showcases, ID camps, highlight videos, academicinformation, and conversations with club or high school coaches before they areallowed to communicate directly with the athlete.
The Importance of June 15 in Men’s Soccer Recruiting
For NCAA Division I and Division II men’s soccer, June 15 after sophomore year is a key recruiting milestone. This is when coaches may begin many forms of direct recruiting communication, including phone calls, emails, text messages, social media messages, and recruiting conversations.
However, athletes should not wait until June 15 to prepare. Before that date, players can still build their recruiting profile, update their highlight video, research schools, attend camps, and make sure their academic information is ready.
Division I NCAA Men’s Soccer Recruiting Rules
For Division I men’s soccer, the main recruiting dates are:
June 15 after sophomore year: Coaches may begin direct recruiting communication, including phone calls, emails, text messages, social media messages, and recruiting materials.
August 1 before junior year: Athletes may begin official and unofficial visits, and coaches may begin off-campus contact at the athlete’s school or home.
Division II NCAA Men’s Soccer Recruiting Rules
Division II recruiting rules are generally more flexible than Division I.
Any time: Athletes may receive camp brochures, questionnaires, general NCAA information, and school information.
June 15 before junior year: Coaches may begin many forms of direct communication. Official visits and off-campus recruiting contacts are generally allowed.
Division III NCAA Men’s Soccer Recruiting Rules
Division III schools have more flexible recruiting rules.
• Coaches may generally send recruiting materials and communicate with athletes earlier than Division I and II programs.
• Off-campus contact may begin after the athlete’s sophomore year.
• Official visits may begin January 1 of the athlete’s junior year.
Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but athletes may receive academic, merit-based, and need-based financial aid.
NAIA Men’s Soccer Recruiting Rules
NAIA recruiting rules are more flexible than NCAA rules. NAIA coaches may contact student-athletes at any time during high school. Recruiting timelines vary by school, but NAIA programs often focus on finding athletes who are a strong fit academically, socially, and athletically.
2025–2026 NCAA Men’s Soccer Recruiting Calendar
The NCAA recruiting calendar defines when coaches may have in-person contact, evaluations, official visits, unofficial visits, and other recruiting activity. Families should understand the calendar before planning visits or attending events, especially during dead periods and quiet periods.
Key Terms
Dead Period: Coaches may not have in-person contact with recruits or their families, either on or off campus. Official and unofficial visits are not allowed during a dead period. However, digital communication such as phone calls, emails, texts, and social media messages may still be permitted depending on the rules.
Quiet Period: Coaches may have in-person contact with recruits only on the college campus. Off-campus recruiting contact and evaluations are not allowed during a quiet period.
Division I Men’s Soccer Recruiting Calendar 2025–2026
For NCAA Division I men’s soccer, the key restricted periods are:
November 10–13, 2025: Dead period during the initial week for the fall signing date for athletics aid agreements.
December 12–15, 2025: Dead period around the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship.
December 23–25, 2025: Quiet period.
All other dates are generally considered contact periods, as long as the athlete is old enough for direct recruiting communication under NCAA rules.
Division II Men’s Soccer Recruiting Calendar 2025–2026
For NCAA Division II sports other than football, including men’s soccer, the signing-date dead period is:
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. through November 12, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.
Outside of the dead period, recruiting activity is generally treated as a contact period, subject to Division II recruiting rules and the athlete’s grade level.
Division III Men’s Soccer Recruiting Calendar
Division III does not follow the same restrictive recruiting calendar as Division I and II. Recruiting communication and visits are generally more flexible, but athletes should still confirm each school’s policies and NCAA eligibility requirements.
Official NCAA Resources:
NCAA Recruiting
Men’s Soccer Scholarship Limits: What Recruits Need to Know
College soccer scholarships are available at NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NAIA, and some junior college programs. However, scholarship money varies widely by school, roster needs, program budget, academic profile, and whether the program is fully funded.
Most athletic scholarships are partial, so families should compare the full financial aid package, not only the athletic scholarship amount. Academic scholarships, merit-based aid, need-based aid, grants, and other forms of assistance can also play an important role in the final cost of attendance.
Important Division I Update for 2025–2026
Beginning with the 2025–2026 academic year, NCAA Division I schools that are part of, or opt into, the House settlement model no longer use the old sport-specific scholarship cap system.
Instead, these programs follow roster limits. For Division I men’s soccer, the roster limit is 28 players.
This does not mean every Division I men’s soccer program will offer 28 full scholarships. Schools decide how much athletics aid to provide based on funding, roster needs, institutional priorities, and compliance requirements. Some athletes may receive full scholarships, many may receive partial scholarships, and some rostered players may not receive athletic aid.
Men’s Soccer Scholarships by Division Level
Across the major divisions, over 1,200 colleges offer men’s soccer programs. Here's a breakdown of the scholarship opportunities available at each level, along with the proposed changes for 2025-2026:
| Division Level | Number of Schools | Average Roster Size | Current Scholarship Limit | 2025-26 Scholarship Limit* | 2025-26 Roster Limit* | Scholarship Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | 203 | 32.5 | 9.9 | 28 | 28 | Equivalency |
| D2 | 206 | 37.4 | 9 | 9 | N/A | Equivalency |
| D3 | 409 | 32.3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| NAIA | 202 | 30 | 12 | 12 | N/A | Equivalency |
| JUCO | 246 | 19 | 24 | 24 | N/A | Equivalency |
*If NCAA proposed settlement is approved
While athletic scholarships are capped, student-athletes can also receive need-based and academic aid. This is particularly beneficial for programs at private institutions, where extra financial assistance may be needed.
What Is the Average Soccer Scholarship?
There is no single standard soccer scholarship amount. Scholarship offers can vary greatly depending on the athlete’s level, position, academic profile, financial need, the school’s budget, and the program’s recruiting priorities.
Because men’s soccer scholarships are often partial, families should focus on the full cost after all aid is included. A smaller athletic scholarship combined with strong academic or need-based aid may sometimes be a better financial package than a larger athletic offer alone.
How to Improve Your Chances of Earning a Soccer Scholarship
To improve your chances of earning a college soccer scholarship, focus on the full recruiting picture:
• Maintain strong academic performance.
• Create a high-quality recruiting video.
• Communicate professionally with college coaches.
• Attend targeted ID camps, showcases, and tournaments.
• Build a realistic school list with academic, athletic, and financial fits.
• Stay consistent with follow-ups and updated game footage.
A strong scholarship strategy is not just about finding the biggest athletic offer. It is about finding the best total package, including athletic aid, academic scholarships, need-based aid, admissions fit, playing opportunity, and long-term development.
Insider Tip: Top athletes at all division levels typically receive more scholarship money than role players on their teams.
Colleges Offering Soccer Scholarships
Soccer scholarships are available at NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NAIA, and junior college programs. However, scholarship availability varies by school. The amount a program can offer depends on factors such as the coach’s budget, whether the program is fully funded, roster needs, institutional priorities, and how scholarships are distributed.
Families should avoid assuming that every program offers the maximum amount of athletic aid allowed. In many cases, soccer scholarships are partial, and athletes may combine athletic aid with academic scholarships, merit-based aid, need-based aid, grants, or other forms of financial assistance. The NCAA also explains that most scholarships are partial and can be combined with other forms of aid.
Examples of schools with men’s soccer programs across different levels include:
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Division 1)
- Stanford University (Division 1)
- University of West Florida (Division II / transitioning status should be verified before publishing)
- Tyler Junior College (NJCAA)
NCAA Division 1 Men’s Soccer Scholarships
Division I men’s soccer offers some of the most competitive athletic opportunities in college soccer.
Beginning with the 2025–2026 academic year, Division I schools that are part of, or opt into, the House settlement model no longer follow the old sport-specific scholarship cap system. Instead, these programs follow roster limits.
For Division I men’s soccer, the roster limit is 28 players.
This does not mean every Division I men’s soccer program will offer 28 full scholarships. Scholarship availability depends on each school’s funding, roster needs, institutional priorities, and program strategy. Some athletes may receive full scholarships, many may receive partial scholarships, and some rostered players may not receive athletic aid.
NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Scholarships
NCAA Division II men’s soccer continues to use a partial-scholarship model. Division II programs can award athletic aid, but coaches often divide scholarship money among multiple players.
For Division II men’s soccer, the scholarship equivalency limit is 9.0. This means coaches may split scholarship funds across the roster depending on team needs, player value, academic profile, and available budget. NCAA Division II explains that scholarship amounts vary by school, sport, roster needs, and individual student-athlete situation.
NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Scholarships
NCAA Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships. However, many Division III athletes receive academic scholarships, merit-based aid, need-based aid, and other forms of financial assistance.
For strong students, Division III can still be a valuable financial option, especially when academic and need-based aid are included in the full package. NCAA confirms that Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but many DIII student-athletes receive merit-based or need-based financial aid.
NAIA Men’s Soccer Scholarships
NAIA schools can offer athletic financial aid, and NAIA men’s soccer programs are commonly structured as scholarship-equivalency programs.
Coaches may divide scholarship money among multiple players instead of offering only full scholarships. The amount each athlete receives depends on the school’s funding, roster needs, academic profile, position, and overall fit with the program.
Before publishing a specific number such as 12 scholarship equivalencies, I would verify it directly in the current NAIA Official & Policy Handbook. The NAIA official site links to the active 2025–2026 handbook, which should be the source used for final confirmation.
Junior College Men’s Soccer Scholarships
Junior colleges can be an excellent pathway for athletes who want to develop academically and athletically before transferring to a four-year program.
Scholarship opportunities vary by NJCAA division, school, program funding, and roster needs. Some junior college programs may offer strong financial aid opportunities, but athletes should confirm scholarship details directly with each coach and the school’s financial aid office before making a decision. The NJCAA provides its current handbook and eligibility resources for official guidance.
How to Get Recruited for NCAA Men’s Soccer
The college men’s soccer recruiting process is highly competitive. To succeed, athletes need more than strong athletic ability. They also need good grades, a clear recruiting strategy, professional communication, updated video footage, and a realistic list of schools.
Every athlete’s recruiting journey is different. The timeline can vary depending on the player’s level, graduation year, academic profile, position, club team, exposure, and the needs of each college program. Because of this, student-athletes should be proactive and not wait for coaches to discover them.
According to the NCAA, recruiting looks different by division and sport. Exposure, film, club participation, academics, and communication rules all play an important role in the recruiting process. The NCAA also recommends that parents or guardians may help lead the process in 9th and 10th grade, but by 11th and 12th grade, student-athletes should take ownership of communication.
When Does the Recruiting Process for Men’s Soccer Begin?
For athletes and families who want to get ahead, preparation should begin early in high school. Many college soccer coaches start evaluating players before direct communication is allowed, especially through showcases, tournaments, ID camps, highlight videos, academic information, and conversations with club or high school coaches.
By sophomore year, athletes should be building a recruiting profile, collecting video footage, researching schools, and understanding which division level may be the best fit. By junior year, many programs are already actively communicating with recruits and narrowing their recruiting lists.
Starting the Recruiting Process: Setting Expectations
The first steps in the college soccer recruiting process are research and self-evaluation. Athletes and families should honestly assess what is realistic from both an athletic and academic perspective.
Before starting outreach, players should ask themselves:
Am I ready for the demands of being a college soccer player?
Playing college sports requires commitment, discipline, time management, travel, training, classes, and academic responsibilities. Athletes should be prepared for the lifestyle of a student-athlete.
Am I good enough to play college soccer?
The recruiting process is competitive. Players should evaluate their current level, ask for honest feedback from trusted coaches, and understand what they need to improve before entering college.
What division level is right for me?
There are opportunities across NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college programs. The right fit depends on the athlete’s level, goals, academics, finances, playing style, and long-term development.
Do I Need to Play Club Soccer to Get Recruited?
For most college soccer recruits, club soccer is very important because many college coaches evaluate players at club tournaments, showcases, ID camps, and high-level competitive events.
High school soccer can still be valuable, but athletes who want to play college soccer should look for competitive environments where college coaches are likely to evaluate talent. This may include elite club teams, regional leagues, national showcases, ID camps, and other exposure events.
The goal is not just to play more games. The goal is to play in the right environments where the athlete can be evaluated by programs that match their level.
The Coach’s Role in the Recruiting Process
Student-athletes should take ownership of their recruiting process, but their club or high school coach can be an important resource.
A coach can help by:
• Giving honest feedback about the athlete’s level.
• Recommending appropriate college programs.
• Communicating with college coaches when direct communication is limited.
• Helping the athlete understand what level of competition may be realistic.
Athletes should be respectful of their coach’s time and come prepared with video, academic information, target schools, and clear goals.
Researching Schools and Creating a Target List
A strong recruiting strategy starts with a realistic school list. Athletes should research schools based on academics, soccer level, location, cost, campus environment, coaching staff, roster needs, and playing style.
A good starting list may include 20 to 30 schools:
• 5–10 safety schools: Schools that may be more realistic academically and athletically.
• 10–15 target schools: Schools that match the athlete’s level and goals.
• 5–10 reach schools: More competitive programs that are still worth exploring.
As athletes communicate with coaches and learn more about each program, they should update their list by adding, removing, or re-ranking schools.
Contacting College Soccer Coaches
Once athletes have a target list, they should begin organized outreach.
The process may include:
• Completing recruiting questionnaires for each school.
• Sending introductory emails with a highlight video, academic information, position, graduation year, and club team.
• Sharing updated game schedules and tournament schedules.
• Following up professionally.
• Responding quickly and respectfully to coach communication.
• Keeping coaches updated with new video, grades, achievements, and upcoming events.
Because there is a separate section called “How do I email an NCAA coach?”, keep this part short here and place the full email template in that email section.
Choosing the Right Tournaments, Camps, and Showcases
Athletes should be strategic when choosing events. The best event is not always the biggest one; it is the one where the right coaches are watching.
Before attending a camp, showcase, or tournament, athletes should research:
• Which college coaches are expected to attend.
• Whether the event matches the athlete’s level.
• Whether the schools attending are on the athlete’s target list.
• Whether the athlete has already contacted those coaches before the event.
Players should email coaches before the event with their schedule, jersey number, team name, position, and video link.
Managing the Recruiting Process
Once the recruiting process begins, athletes should stay organized and consistent.
They should track:
• Schools contacted.
• Coach names and emails.
• Dates of communication.
• Follow-up dates.
• Camps and showcases attended.
• Coach feedback.
• Offers, visits, and next steps.
Athletes should also keep their recruiting profile, highlight video, academic information, and game schedule updated throughout the process.
Understanding Scholarship Offers
Scholarship conversations should be handled carefully and professionally. Men’s soccer financial aid can vary widely depending on the division, school, program funding, roster needs, academic profile, and the athlete’s value to the team.
Athletes should compare the full financial package, not only the athletic scholarship. Academic scholarships, merit-based aid, need-based aid, grants, and family budget should all be considered.
For more details, families should review the Scholarship Limits section.
Creating an impressive recruiting video
A strong recruiting video is one of the most important tools in the college soccer recruiting process. Coaches often review video before deciding whether to watch a player live, invite them to camp, schedule a call, or continue the recruiting conversation.
Your video should make it easy for a coach to quickly understand your position, playing style, strengths, athletic ability, decision-making, and overall impact on the game.
What Should Be Included in a Soccer Recruiting Video?
A good recruiting video should include game footage that shows the player making meaningful plays in real match situations.
Coaches want to see:
- Technical ability
- Speed and athleticism
- Decision-making
- Movement off the ball
- Defensive work rate
- Passing range
- Finishing ability
- 1v1 moments
- Game awareness
- Position-specific strengths
For goalkeepers, the video can include a mix of game footage and specific goalkeeper actions such as saves, distribution, crosses, footwork, communication, and 1v1 situations.
How Long Should a Recruiting Video Be?
Keep the video short and direct. A strong recruiting video is usually 3 to 6 minutes long.
Coaches do not need a long intro, music, slow motion, or unnecessary effects. They want to see the player in action as quickly as possible.
Lead with the best plays first. The first 30 seconds matter, so start with clips that immediately show the player’s strongest qualities.
Best Practices for a Soccer Highlight Video
Use these tips to make the video easier for coaches to evaluate:
- Start with your best clips.
- Use clear game footage whenever possible.
- Identify yourself before each clip with a circle, arrow, or spotlight.
- Show complete plays, not only the final touch.
- Include different types of actions, not the same play repeated.
- Keep transitions simple.
- Avoid music or distracting effects.
- Make sure the video quality is clear.
- Include your name, graduation year, position, club/team, height, GPA, and contact information at the beginning or end of the video.
Understanding scholarship offers and negotiationsPosition-Specific Video Tips
Field players
Field players should show clips that match their position and playing style.
For example:
- Forwards: Finishing, movement, pressing, 1v1 attacking, runs behind the back line, hold-up play.
- Wingers: Speed, crossing, dribbling, 1v1 attacking, defensive recovery, chance creation.
- Midfielders: Passing range, ball control, vision, defensive work, movement, decision-making.
- Defenders: Tackling, positioning, aerial duels, 1v1 defending, passing out of the back, communication.
- Fullbacks: Defensive actions, overlapping runs, crossing, speed, recovery runs, ability to play forward.
Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers should include clips that show:
- Shot-stopping
- 1v1 saves
- Crosses and set pieces
- Distribution with feet and hands
- Communication
- Positioning
- Footwork
- Game management
A goalkeeper video can include both game footage and controlled training clips, but game footage should still be the priority.
Common Recruiting Video Mistakes to Avoid
- Making the video too long.
- Starting with a long intro.
- Using too much music or effects.
- Including low-quality or blurry footage.
- Not identifying the player before each clip.
- Showing only goals and not overall gameplay.
- Using clips that do not match the player’s position.
- Sending video without basic player information.
- Waiting too long to update the video.
A recruiting video should be updated regularly as the player improves, changes teams, attends events, or gets new footage from stronger competition.
Tip: Your recruiting video does not need to be overly produced. It needs to be clear, organized, and easy to evaluate.
The goal is simple: help college coaches quickly understand who you are as a player and why they should continue watching you.
How to Share Your Recruiting Video With College Coaches
Once the video is ready, upload it to a platform that is easy for coaches to open, such as YouTube, Vimeo, Hudl, or a player profile link.
The video link should be included in:
- Introductory emails to coaches.
- Recruiting questionnaires.
- Player profiles.
- Follow-up emails.
- Tournament or showcase schedules.
- Social media profiles, when appropriate.
The easier it is for a coach to access the video, the better. Avoid sending large video files directly by email, because they may be difficult to open or download.
Subject: MLS Next Winger 2025 With Video 4.0 GPA 6'1 - David Smith
Hi Coach [Coach’s Last Name],
My name is [Your Full Name], and I am very interested in the men’s soccer program at [School Name]. I am a [position] from [City, State/Country], and I currently play for [Club Team Name/High School Team Name]. I will graduate in [Graduation Year] and am looking for a program where I can continue developing as a student-athlete.
Here is a quick overview of my profile:
Position: [Your Position]
Graduation Year: [Your Graduation Year]
Height/Weight: [Your Height/Weight]
Club/High School Team: [Team Name]
GPA: [Your GPA]
Test Scores: [SAT/ACT, if applicable]
Key Achievements: [Team captain, league honors, tournament wins, national team experience, etc.]
Highlight Video: [Insert video link]
Full Game Footage / Player Profile: [Insert link, if available]
I have researched your program and am especially interested in [mention something specific about the school, team, playing style, coaching philosophy, conference, academic program, or recent success].
I would love to learn more about your recruiting needs for my class and whether you are currently looking for a player in my position. I have also included my upcoming schedule below in case you or your staff will be attending any of these events.
Upcoming Schedule:
[Event Name] — [Date] — [Location] — [Team Name] — [Jersey Number]
Thank you for your time, Coach. I appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself and would be grateful for any feedback or next steps.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Graduation Year]
[City, State/Country]
Follow-Up Email Template
Subject: Following Up | 2027 Winger | Highlight Video | David Smith
Hi Coach [Coach’s Last Name],
I hope you are doing well. I wanted to follow up on my previous email and reaffirm my interest in [School Name] and your men’s soccer program.
Here is my highlight video again for your convenience:
[Insert video link]
I would be happy to send full game footage, my upcoming schedule, or any additional academic information if helpful.
Thank you again for your time.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
Important note: NCAA recruiting communication rules vary by division, sport, and grade level. Athletes can email coaches before coaches are allowed to respond directly, but families should understand when coaches are permitted to communicate under NCAA rules. The NCAA explains that communication rules vary by division and grade level.
Email Tips to NCAA Coaches
Keep it concise and personal: Avoid sending a generic email. Coaches receive many recruiting emails, so your message should be short, clear, and specific. Mention details about the coach’s program, such as the team’s playing style, recent results, conference, academic fit, or why you are genuinely interested in that school.
Include key information: Make sure to include your full name, graduation year, position, club or high school team, height, GPA, highlight video link, player profile, and upcoming schedule if available. Coaches should be able to quickly understand who you are and whether you may fit their recruiting needs.
Attach a short resume: Include a simple one-page resume with your athletic background, academic information, achievements, statistics, coach references, and contact details. Keep it easy to scan and avoid making it too long.
Show genuine interest: Highlight what you know about the program and why it stands out to you. Mention something specific, such as the school’s academic programs, coaching philosophy, team culture, style of play, or recent team performance. Coaches are more likely to respond when they can see your interest is intentional.
Follow up: If you do not hear back after one or two weeks, send a polite follow-up email. Keep it short and professional, and include your video link again for convenience. You can also share an updated schedule, new footage, or recent achievements.
Assistants: Do not only email the head coach. Assistant coaches, recruiting coordinators, graduate assistants, and volunteer coaches may also be involved in identifying and communicating with recruits. When possible, email the full coaching staff with a personalized message.
