8 Reasons Families Fail at the Recruiting Process

I talk to so many families who have no idea how college recruiting actually works.

Here are some hard truths you need to know:

1. Cold emails and showcases aren't enough 🥇

If you’re relying on: 

• Cold emails
• Random showcases
• Hope...

You’re already behind.

Recruiting is a game within a game — and most people are playing it completely wrong.

2. Recruiting timelines are earlier than you think ⏰

This is what 99% of players and parents miss about recruiting timelines:

• Power 4 D1: Spring of sophomore year → fall of junior year
• Mid-Major D1: Summer before junior year → summer before senior year
• D2 / D3 / NAIA / JUCO: Junior summer → senior spring

3. Attending a bunch of camps isn't a plan ⚾️

"We’re going to a bunch of camps to get exposure."

That’s not a plan.

Unless you know:

✅ That coach is recruiting your son's position

✅ Your son fits that level

✅ You’ve had prior contact

...you’re lighting money on fire. 🔥

4. One showcase per year is enough 📆

Looking at showcases?

Here’s the breakdown:

• PBR > Perfect Game (in most cases)
• Verified data > parent radar
• One showcase per year is enough
• Most events = content gathering, not actual exposure

If you're not building a plan off that content, you're just collecting stats.

5. The most important question is not "Where can I get a scholarship?" 🎯

The most important recruiting question is: “What kind of college experience do I actually want?”

What's most important to you?

• Academic prestige?
• Pro development?
• Balanced social/athletic life?

Without clarity here, the rest is noise.

6. Cold emails to D1 coaches don't move the needle 🚫

College coaches get hundreds of cold emails per week.

• They don’t know who you are.
• They don’t trust your numbers.
• They don’t have time.

Referrals move recruiting.

Relationships close the loop.

Connections > campaigns. 

7. The difference between a “prospect” and a “player” is night and day ☀️

One has tools.

The other has instincts.

One wins a showcase.

The other wins the game.

Coaches recruit the guy who can help them win in the spring of his freshman year.

Not the one who’s “projectable.”

8. Clean up your social media feeds 🧹

If a coach can’t figure out who you are in 15 seconds or less, you’ve already lost him.

Pin your video.

Keep your feed clean.

No spammy retweets.

Make it obvious what you do and how you move.

Visibility isn’t about volume.

It’s about clarity.

I hope this helped you understand the recruiting process!

If your son is looking to get recruited, I'd love to hear more about your situation.

Apply to be in my program here 👉🏻 Fill out application for my recruiting service.