Start strong — GPA matters from day one

Enroll in core courses required by NCAA (English, math, science, social studies)

Meet with your school counselor about NCAA eligibility requirements

Aim for a 3.0+ GPA to keep all options open

Join a club or travel team in your sport

Start attending showcases and tournaments

Begin recording game film

Identify your position and develop position-specific skills

Create a basic athletic resume

Open a Hudl or YouTube account for highlight clips

Research college programs you're interested in

Follow college coaches and programs on social media

Maintain or improve your GPA

Take the PSAT for practice

Continue completing NCAA core courses

Research academic requirements at target schools

Compete at higher-level showcases and tournaments

Build a highlight reel (2–3 minutes max)

Attend college camps to get in front of coaches

Track your stats and measurables (height, weight, 40 time, etc.)

Create profiles on NCSA, BeRecruited, or similar platforms

Begin emailing coaches at target schools

Attend college fairs and campus visits

Start a recruiting journal to track contacts and visits

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (ncaa.org) — do this NOW

Take the SAT or ACT (aim for scores that meet D1/D2 minimums)

Request official transcripts to send to coaches

Maintain GPA — coaches pull transcripts

Compete at elite showcases and national tournaments

Update your highlight reel with junior year footage

Attend official and unofficial campus visits

Narrow your school list to 10–15 serious targets

Send personalized emails to coaches at every target school

Follow up with coaches who have shown interest

Request official visits from schools offering scholarships

Understand the difference between verbal commitments and NLIs

Retake SAT/ACT if needed to hit eligibility minimums

Send final transcripts to the NCAA Eligibility Center

Apply for financial aid (FAFSA) at all target schools

Maintain grades — coaches can pull offers for grade drops

Take official visits (up to 5 for D1, 5 for D2)

Compete at early signing period showcases

Finalize your school decision before signing day

Prepare for the transition to college-level training

Sign your NLI during the early signing period if ready

Notify coaches at other schools once you've committed

Review your financial aid offer carefully before signing

Connect with future teammates on social media