The Best plan to get started is to make a list of the colleges where you’d like to play. You then need to take the list to your High School coach for His or Her buy -in. You’ll find out real quick that all the dreaming in the world won’t get you to the college of your choice. Recruiters have a process they follow. They are busy and trying to get the best bang for the buck. (really they are trying to see only the best prospects in their limited time) The recruiters typically call on your coach and ask “who are your prospects”? The key is you need buy-in from the coach. If the coach doesn’t think you’ll do well at a particular school, chances are, you will not get a look. (Bring him cookies.. they say it helps) Once the coach has agreed that you are a candidate for a particular school, he will be able to promote you on short notice because he already knows you have an interest. A good coach will even take your list and make calls to the schools for you. On your list provide contacts and numbers for the coaches/recruiting coordinator. Don’t be shy, your coach has tons of time and is ready to promote you.

It doesn’t hurt for juniors to go ahead and send tapes and a profile letter (Example) to your schools EARLY in the spring. This is especially helpful if you are in football and have spring ball practices. Many coaches will make their rounds in the spring and get a peek at the prospects for the fall.

Plan to bug the daylights out of your recruiter. I promise they will bug the hell out of you later on... beat them to the punch. Send e-mails reporting your summer workout plans, progress reports from camps, and a general “hello” to keep you on their mind. Once the fall comes, send a weekly e-mail with updates on you most recent game. Lastly, get a WEBSITE and post pics, stats and anything else you’re proud of.

The process is tideous, a pain in the butt at times, but rewarding with a little effort.

THE MAIN THING TO REMEMBER... IF YOU DON’T PROMOTE YOUR KID/SELF NOBODY ELSE WILL