You’re a year older, a little wiser and no doubt fired up for the fall soccer season.  Here are five tips to help you tackle college soccer recruiting in 2017.

Watch College Soccer

Wherever you live, you’re probably not far from a college soccer team.  Make it a point to check out some local games this fall.  For me, the dream of playing in college started when I watched the University of Portland play. Which team will that be for you?

Hit the Books

Your grades are an essential piece to recruiting success.  The better they are (along with your test scores), the more options you will have.  A 3.5 is a solid benchmark, although a higher GPA is often required for consideration by more “selective schools”. Good grades may also help you qualify for an academic scholarship.

Be Proactive, not Reactive

It’s incredibly important to reach out and connect with college coaches.  If you’re waiting for them to come to you, you will more than likely miss the boat.  When preparing to communicate with them it’s important to remember a few key that they want to know such as… When do you graduate? What are your grades?  Who do you play for? Why are you interested in their school?

Got film?

A video highlight piece with your best moments can make all of the difference when you’re trying to get on a coach’s radar.  Whether you’re playing high school or club this fall, have a plan to get some film.  It can absolutely be a “Game Changer” in the recruiting process.

Not Too Early, Not Too Late

Whether you’re an ambitious freshman looking to hit the ground running, or a rising senior with seemingly no options on the table, it’s always a good time to put some effort into the recruiting process.  While it’s true that starting early in your high school career is smart, I’ve helped seniors land a spot with college teams simply because they finally put a plan in place and started taking their recruiting process seriously.

Wherever you are in your high school career, I’m here for you.  It’s my passion to help athletes find an amazing place to get an education and realize their dream of playing in college.  I’d love to hear your story!