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For athletes and parents · all sports

Resources

Recruiting is confusing on purpose — there is an industry built on that confusion. This page is what our staff tells families in person, written down and free.

By grade

Recruiting timeline

What to do, and when. Most families start two years too late.

9th

Build the foundation

  • Take NCAA-approved core courses from day one — a bad freshman transcript is the hardest thing to fix.
  • Start a film habit. Even JV clips.
  • Get in the weight room and get tested. A baseline matters more than a good number.
10th

Get on the board

  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
  • Attend one or two camps at realistic target schools.
  • Build your first highlight reel — 3 to 4 minutes, best plays first.
11th

The year that counts

  • Junior film is the film that gets you recruited. Update it the week the season ends.
  • Take the ACT or SAT in the spring; retake in the fall if needed.
  • Email coaches directly with your profile link, transcript and film. Follow up once.
  • Take unofficial visits. Junior day invites start in January.
12th

Close it out

  • Official visits and offer decisions.
  • Confirm final NCAA amateurism certification.
  • Complete FAFSA and school applications on time — they are separate from athletics.
  • If you are not signed by February, JUCO and preferred walk-on paths are real and this staff will work them with you.

Straight answers

Parent questions

Does my athlete need a paid recruiting service?

No. Everything a recruiting service sells — a profile, film hosting, a college list, a way to contact coaches — is on this site, run by the coaching staff who actually know the athlete. Spend the money on camps instead.

What GPA does my athlete actually need?

The NCAA Division I sliding scale starts at a 2.3 core GPA, but that is a floor, not a target. In practice, a 3.5 opens academic money at D2, D3 and NAIA schools that changes the entire financial picture. Grades are recruiting.

When should we start emailing coaches?

Sophomore year, and the athlete sends the email — not the parent. Coaches notice. Short message, profile link, film link, one specific reason you are interested in that school.

What is NIL and does it apply in high school?

Name, Image and Likeness lets athletes earn money from their personal brand. Utah permits high school NIL under UHSAA rules, with restrictions — no school marks, no boosters tied to enrollment decisions, and disclosure requirements. Talk to the staff before signing anything.

Is film really that important?

It is the single most important thing. A coach watches the first 30 seconds. Best plays first, no music, no intro graphics, jersey number highlighted on every clip.