Guide · Timeline

When does college recruiting start? A grade-by-grade timeline

Recruiting starts earlier than most families think, and ends later than most families give up. Here's what matters each year.

Short answer

Athletes can reach out to coaches at any age. Most NCAA Division I and II coaches can begin direct contact around the summer after sophomore year (dates vary by sport), while D3, NAIA and JUCO recruit well into senior year and beyond.

Freshman year

Build grades — they open more doors than any stat.
Start filming games and keeping verified stats.
Research what level fits: D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO.

Sophomore year

Put together a first highlight video.
Build a list of 30–50 realistic programs.
Start emailing coaches — they can read it even if they can't reply yet.
Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if targeting D1/D2.

Junior year

This is the heaviest year. Coaches at many D1 and D2 programs can now call, text and offer visits. Update film after each season, follow up consistently and take unofficial visits.

Senior year

Plenty of rosters are still open, especially at D2, D3, NAIA and JUCO. Seniors who haven't been contacted should be running aggressive, targeted outreach now — not waiting.

Already in college?

Transfers and JUCO athletes are recruited constantly. Our founding case study, John Oliver, was two years into college and off the field before his campaign produced multiple coach conversations and scholarship offers.

Want this done for you?

Recrua runs personalized outreach to college coaches and manages every reply. See how the recruiting process works, check what it costs, or find your sport: baseball recruiting, football recruiting, basketball recruiting, soccer recruiting, volleyball recruiting, golf recruiting.