about college soccer
There are more than 750,000 high school students who play soccer. Statistically speaking, only 6% of those players will have the opportunity to play at the college level. This 6% represents:
NCAA Division 1: 204 men's teams and 322 women's teams
NCAA Division 2: 181 men's teams and 228 women's teams
NCAA Division 3: 428 men's teams and 407 women's teams
Moreover, on average, 56% of programs across all three governing bodies of college soccer (NCAA, NAIA, JUCO) recruit internationally, which suggests that the initial 6% might actually be lower than initially thought (according to NCSAsports.org).
% of HS Players that play college
An even smaller proportion of players compared to what was previously stated receive soccer-specific scholarships. Depending on whether it’s a men’s or women’s sponsored sport, the maximum amount of athletic scholarships changes at different levels. At the NCAA level, no program can offer a full scholarship to all players.
However, just because the numbers are small doesn’t mean there aren't opportunities out there for you! If you are determined to play college soccer, there are over 1,400 programs spanning the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA levels.
So, how do you make your college soccer aspirations a reality?
Every individual has a different pathway, so for me to sit here and say, “This is how you should go about the recruiting process” is crazy. You never know how a college coach might notice you, so it is important to never think there is only one process that gets you recruited. I have created a shortlist of different steps a player can take to get noticed. This list is not an end-all-be-all list. There are many unconventional ways I might have not mentioned that could be the way you end up at a school. However, these are things that most definitely helped my recruiting process.
Soccer Highlight Tapes
Ever since COVID-19, highlight tapes have become increasingly important. Getting around to see everyone you want to play is difficult. Outside of the “Power 5 programs,” most soccer programs do not have the recruiting funds to fly to every showcase and look at every player they desire. Plus, a coach only has so much time to look at recruits. Having a well-put-together highlight tape is sometimes all it takes to get on a coach’s radar. The tape shouldn’t be too long and should highlight your strengths as a player. The highlight tape needs to hook a coach in and get them to want to see more.
Only on rare occasions is a simple highlight tape going to guarantee you a roster spot or a scholarship. Highlight tapes are meant to get a coach’s interest. A highlight tape should give a coach a taste of who you are as a player. If they like what they see and feel as though you are a good fit, they will find a way to see you play in person.
If you need a highlight tape, Tekkers Media can help take your best moments and put them on display. Plus, they can offer additional help with the recruiting process.
Learn more about Tekkers Media or contact us to get your highlight tape going
ID Camps
Another great way to get your name out there is to attend ID Camps. ID Camps are typically 1 to 2 days long and give a player ample opportunity to showcase their talents in front of multiple coaches. When deciding on which ID camps to go to, create a list of schools that you are interested in attending. Look into their ID camps and see if there is an overlap of multiple schools at a single camp. For example, if you are interested in attending Drake University as well as Iowa University, and notice that the Drake coaches are attending the Iowa camp, you should make a strong effort to attend the Iowa camp. This gives you an opportunity to play in front of multiple schools of interest at once.
Attending every ID camp might be unrealistic. Prioritize your list and find camps that have the most value to you. Getting yourself in front of their coaches on their campus gives you a great idea of how the program operates and provides you with a solid idea of what to expect if you were to attend that school.
Communicate with Coaches
The biggest and most cost-efficient way to help you get recruited is to communicate with coaches. Based on the list of schools you have an interest in, figure out when your upcoming schedule for showcases overlaps with them. Then, simply reach out to the coach. Explain to them what interests you about their program, include a small bio, highlight tape, and give them your showcase schedule.
Coaches are always looking for quality players who will not only be a good fit on the field but also at the school. Making them aware of your schedule and giving them some basic information might be all it takes for them to stop by your field.
Click here for a simple template on how to reach out to a coach.
Continue to be proactive in your recruiting approach, and do not get discouraged if you don’t receive a response. Every college coach receives thousands of inquiries about playing for their program, and it can be easy for players to slip through the cracks. Control what you can control and be persistent in your recruiting approach. There is a program out there that is the perfect fit for you.
If you have any questions about the recruiting process, Tekkers Media, or need some additional help, please feel free to reach out to me, free of charge. I will gladly answer any questions you may have!
Email: bradan@sportsplexwest.com