The Recruiting Roadmap
The seven steps that take you from honest self-evaluation to a coach replying, in order.
1.Know your level, honestly
Most recruits aim only at D1 and miss real scholarship money elsewhere. There are five levels that pay for school or make it affordable: D1, D2, D3 (academic money), NAIA, and JUCO. Watch one game at each level on YouTube and ask: whose speed and size matches yours today, not in your dreams? Your realistic band is usually two levels wide. Recruit across the whole band.
2.Build a 3-minute film that a coach will actually watch
Coaches decide in 30 seconds. First four clips = your four best plays, no music, no intro graphics. Show makes, defense, and decisions, not warm-up dunks. Full-game link at the end for coaches who want more. Update it every 6-8 weeks in season.
3.Get eligible before you get noticed
Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (and NAIA's) the summer before junior year. Pull your transcript and check core courses NOW: the #1 recruiting killer is a fixable academic problem found too late. JUCO has different rules and can be the smart route if your grades lag.
4.Build your target list of 30 schools
10 reach, 10 match, 10 safety across your two-level band. Use the directory filters (level, state, conference) and favor schools with roster spots opening. Roster math beats wishful thinking.
5.Email the right coach, the right way
Subject: "2027 PG · 6'2" · 3.4 GPA · [Your City]". Three sentences: who you are, one proof point, your film link. Personalize ONE line per school: why them. Send to the verified contact on each school page (usually an assistant runs recruiting). Follow up once after 10 days. Track every send.
6.Make coaches come to you
Play where coaches already look: the right circuit events, team camps at your target schools, and elite camps only when a coach has already answered you. One weekend at a target school's team camp beats five exposure showcases.
7.Visits, offers, and the decision
Answer every coach who answers you, even the "too small" schools. Offers create leverage and coaches talk. On visits ask: where do your players graduate to, who's leaving my position, what does my scholarship cover year to year? Get every promise in writing before you sign anything.
Run it as a campaign
Pick the 30 schools. Unlock the coach emails. Track sent, follow-up, and replies. The directory and this roadmap stay free.