What Parents Should Know About the College Recruiting Process

If your child is hoping to play college sports, you’ve probably asked yourself:
“How does the recruiting process actually work?” It can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here’s a clear breakdown of what college coaches are doing behind the scenes, and how you and your athlete can stay one step ahead.

Coaches Build a List of Potential Recruits

Every coach starts with research.

They look at:

• Game Footage
  Full games or highlight videos shared online. Coaches use these to study performance, decision-making, hustle, and skill.

• Stats
  Performance numbers like points per game, assists, saves, ERA, etc. These give coaches a basic snapshot of consistency and skill.

• Rankings
  Lists created by media, clubs, or recruiting platforms that rank athletes nationally or by region. Coaches use these to identify top talent or rising prospects.

• Social Media

Coaches check Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, and increasingly, LinkedIn, to see how athletes present themselves. They’re looking for maturity, focus, and how seriously your child treats their sport and their future.

**A professional LinkedIn profile signals that your child is thinking beyond sports, toward career, leadership, and long-term goals. That matters more than most families realize.

• LaunchBreak

A fast-growing platform built for student-athletes, LaunchBreak connects your child to mentors, job opportunities, career prep, and resources beyond the field.

**If you want your athlete to think beyond the next game, LaunchBreak is where that transition begins. We talk more about The LaunchBreak inside the Warm Up and also in our Freebie Do You Really Think You Have #1 Athlete?

• Tips from Club or High School Coaches
  Referrals and recommendations still matter. If your child’s coach has a good reputation, their word can carry weight with recruiters.

If your child wants to be noticed, they need to be findable. That means having clean, searchable online profiles and consistent game film.

They Send Letters, Questionnaires, and Camp Invites

Once a coach is interested, they’ll make contact by:

• Intro letters – These are early messages showing interest.
• Questionnaires – Short forms asking for details like height, GPA, test scores, and position. These help coaches decide who to prioritize.
• Camp invites – These aren’t just about development, they’re also about seeing your athlete live and evaluating them up close.

As a parent, help your child respond quickly and professionally. Even if they’re unsure about the school, staying responsive keeps doors open.

They Evaluate the Whole Athlete
This goes beyond performance. Coaches are studying:

• Full-game footage – Not just highlight reels. They want to see how your athlete handles pressure, mistakes, and team play.
• Social media – Many coaches check it regularly. What your child posts can either help, or hurt, their chances.
• References – They’ll talk to high school and club coaches to ask if your child is coachable, disciplined, and a team player.

The Warm-Up is a free, narrated course designed to help athletes clean up their online presence, build their confidence, and present themselves like the kind of athlete a coach wants to recruit. It’s a strong starting point for anyone preparing for the college recruitment process.

They Start Building a Relationship
If a coach is seriously interested, they’ll reach out, by phone, text, email, or sometimes social media.

At this stage, they’re looking at:

• How your athlete communicates
• If they’ve done research on the school or program
• Their energy, attitude, and focus

You don’t need to run the call, but helping your athlete prepare questions, stay respectful, and follow up professionally goes a long way.

They Make an Offer

This might look like:

• A verbal offer (non-binding, but real)
• A preferred walk-on opportunity
• A written scholarship (later in the process)

Not every athlete gets a full ride, but strong communication and character can tip the scales.

Your Athlete Signs and Commits
This is the final step. They sign an official agreement (like a National Letter of Intent), and the commitment becomes real.

How You Can Support
You don’t need to be a recruiting expert, but you do play a critical role. Here’s what helps most:

• Encourage your athlete to take ownership of the process
• Support their digital presence, remind them that coaches are watching
• Help them stay organized and follow through on communication
• Use resources like The Warm-Up to help them show up with clarity and confidence

This isn’t just about getting recruited. It’s about helping your athlete grow into the kind of young adult who can thrive, on and off the field.