Tag Archive for: Recruiting Services

NCAA-Approved Recruiting Services – What You Should Know

We’re getting questions asking what it means if a recruiting service promotes themselves as “NCAA-approved” and/or feature the official NCAA logo on their website.

Here are the facts:

  • The ONLY sports that are required to subscribe and receive information about recruits from an NCAA-approved recruiting service are NCAA DI Football and DI Men & Women’s Basketball programs.
  • The Recruiting Service must be pre-approved by the NCAA before they can provide information to NCAA DI Football and Basketball coaches under very strict guidelines established by the NCAA.
  • This does NOT mean that the service has been recommended or endorsed by the NCAA for high school athletes and parents to sign up for that recruiting service.

Also, if you come across a recruiting service website that features a quote from an NCAA Division I or II coach recommending that service, beware.

Coaches who promote recruiting services or recruiting websites that claim to be endorsed by an NCAA coach are violating NCAA rules.

As with any other business, some recruiting services are better than others, and you may have a very good experience in using a particular service.

But don’t be swayed by the label of “NCAA-approved” – especially if your sport is NOT basketball or football – since those are the only sports for which such approval is required before an NCAA Division I coach can access their information.

Do you Have Questions or Need Advice?

If you have questions about this or any other topic pertaining to recruiting, eligibility issues, scholarship strategies, or transfer situations, contact us for further information at 913-766-1235 or rick@informedathlete.com

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Recruiting: It’s About More Than “Just The Numbers”

I recently saw a tweet from a recruiting service about a basketball recruit that said:

“What are you waiting on coaches? [Athlete’s name] is putting up big numbers! Who else needs to tell you numbers don’t lie?”

When I see something like this on social media, I feel the urge to call it what it is – totally misleading!

If you have a recruiting service telling your son or daughter that “It’s all about the numbers that you put up” my advice would be to walk away instead of paying the fee that the recruiting service will charge you.

  • Many college coaches – especially in team sports like baseball, basketball or football – aren’t overly impressed by just “the numbers” because your numbers can vary greatly depending upon the level of competition you were playing against when you put up those numbers.
  • There is much more that coaches take into consideration, such as recommendations from high school or club coaches, academic performance, work ethic, and how a recruit handles adversity.
  • Coaches will also evaluate a recruit’s natural ability and their technique (example: how does an offensive lineman run block compared to their pass blocking technique). Is the athlete versatile enough to play multiple positions for us?

To prospects and parents who are managing their own recruitment, I often recommend that the athletic profile they send to a coach should include examples of their leadership skills, their work ethic, and how the recruit sees themselves helping that college team compete for championships!

Do You Have Questions?

Most of you who come to our website and receive our newsletters know that we’re not a recruiting service, meaning we don’t promote prospective student-athletes to college coaches.

Our focus is ONLY on what is in the best interest for the student-athlete and their family.

To do this, we provide confidential consultations and services regarding recruiting strategies, athletic scholarships, freshman eligibility rules and requirements, and more so that athletes and families are fully informed and can make the best decision for their particular situation.

If you have questions about the recruiting rules or are interested in tips to improve your recruiting opportunities, schedule a confidential Recruiting Rules Consultation online, send an email to rick@informedathlete.com or call us at 913-766-1235.

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