Recruiting
Mississippi Matrix
Recruiting
Register on University Athlete as soon as you start playing club volleyball.
Recruiting Guidelines
Step 1: BUILD A TARGET LIST OF SCHOOLS
BUILD A TARGET LIST OF SCHOOLS
(Reach/Realistic/Reserve)
- Reach: 10-15 schools that would be a reach athletically (but based on their continued improvement in the gym, might be possible)
- Realistic: 20-30 schools where they are realistically tending athletically
- Reserve: 5-10 schools that they are confident they can play athletically
Note: All categories should take their academic goals into consideration
5 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUILDING YOUR TARGET LIST:
Athletic: What Division and/or conference are you capable of playing for? What do your current coaches think?
Academic: What schools will you qualify for with your GPA and Standardized Test Scores? Do you know what you would like to major in?
Social: How important is school size and campus life to you?
Geographical: Do you want to be close to home? What type of campus are you looking for?
Financial: Will I qualify for Athletic or Merit Scholarships?
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
- Cast a WIDE net of schools. Better to start with a larger list and narrow down.
- Building your target list of schools is a fluid process. You can change your list at any time!
Step 2: CREATE SPORTS RECRUITS PROFILE
Create an online profile, either using Sports Recruits, another Recruiting service or other online profile!
INCLUDE VIDEO ON YOUR PROFILE:
Game Highlights - clips of your best plays. Easy to make with HUDL
*We recommend this on your SR Profile
Skills Video - can be made at Legacy
Game Footage – should be one entire game of you playing. Be sure to let the coaches know which number you are and in what position you start in.
Step 3: SEND INTRODUCTORY EMAIL TO TARGET LIST
- Include your name, height, position, grad year, high school and club. Be sure to express interest in their school and volleyball program. Address the coach by name to start the email (ex. Coach Smith)
- Include a link to your profile
- Include your Tournament Schedule
- Include your Coach's Contact Info & Recruiting Coordinator Jen Cottrill's Contact Info.
- Link to example letter
Step 4: Evaluation
EVALUATION
- If it is after June 15th of your Sophomore year, the coach can email you directly and let you know if they are interested. This is based on your grad year, position and brief evaluation of your profile & video as well as their needs for that class.
- If it is before June 15th of your Sophomore year, the coach can not email you back. They might email your coach or RC Jen Cottrill to express "general interest". They will watch you LIVE (possibly several times) to watch your development and progress. They can send you questionnaires, camp invites or non athletic publications.
- Coaches will then EVALUATE YOU (through your HS or CLUB season or possibly at CAMP)
Athletes will need to continue to communicate with College Coaches
Our recommendation is 1x a month with updates from tournaments, high school season, summer vacations, etc...
Step 5: Visits
After college coaches evaluate you and you are in their TOP group of players that they are recruiting in your position & class then they will invite you for a VISIT!
Official Visit - College can pay for transportation to and from the college for the student-athlete, lodging and three meals per day for the student-athlete and his or her parents or guardians, as well as reasonable entertainment expenses including three tickets to a home sports event.
Unofficial Visit - Athlete/Family pays for all expenses
Step 6: OFFERS/DECISIONS
- Coaches can begin extending verbal offers on June 15th of Sophomore Year
- Every coach & program do things differently but they should communicate the details of their offer and a timeline (if any) to make a decision
- After making a decision, be sure to contact all of the coaches/programs that were actively recruiting you to let them know of your decision BEFORE posting your commitment on Social Media!
Freshman Year
- Create a list of 100 universities/colleges you would like to attend
- Email Head Coach with your desired major
- Attend their summer camps
- Follow those teams on social media
Pro Tip: Use an Excel spreadsheet to track your correspondence, replies and comments. Make sure you have researched their team before emailing the Head Coach or Recruiting Coordinator.
NCAA DI: There can't be any phone calls or unofficial visits until your junior year of high school. Only two way phone calls and official/unofficial visits starting June 15 after your sophomore year.
Sophomore Year
- Create a highlight video
- Narrow down your list of universities/colleges
- Complete Recruit Questionnaires on prospective university/college athletic websites
- Make unofficial visits
Pro Tip: PlayNAIA.org helps future student-athletes discover and connect with NAIA schools, coaches and athletic scholarships. PlayNAIA is also the official clearinghouse for NAIA eligibility. Every student-athlete must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center to play sports at an NAIA college or university.
Junior Year
- Create another highlight video
- Follow-up with coaches, respond to every coach
- Invite coaches to watch you play in National Qualifiers
- Ask coaches where you stand on their Recruits List
- Make unofficial visits
- Narrow down your list
Pro Tip: You need to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center to compete at an NCAA Division I or II school. An account is the first step to becoming an NCAA student-athlete.
Senior Year
- Make official visits
- Apply to your favorite universities/colleges
- Follow-up with coaches. If you're not interested in their program, let them know ASAP.
- On October 1 of your senior year, submit FAFSA (financial aid form) to every university/college still on your list
- National Letter of Intent Signing Day
- Update your University Athlete profile with a C (Committed)
- Request your summer workout schedule and Report Day details
- Get in the best shape of your life before arriving on campus