Freshman Year (Foundation Phase)
Focus: Development + Awareness
• Build grades (GPA matters early)
• Create good social media presence
• Start skills development
• Attend local camps (not for offers — for exposure & learning)
• Film early highlight footage
⚠️ No heavy recruiting pressure yet.
Sophomore Year (Visibility Phase)
Focus: Introduction + Exposure
• Create recruiting email template
• Send intro emails with video
• Attend target school camps
• Begin unofficial visits
• Improve measurable metrics (velo, pop time, 60, etc.)
DI coaches begin tracking seriously here.
Junior Year (Evaluation & Offer Phase)
Focus: Decision Acceleration
• Heavy communication
• Official visits begin
• Offers may come (often summer after junior year)
• Academic pre-reads
• NIL conversations (where appropriate)
⚠️ Most DI commitments happen during or after junior year.
Senior Year (Close & Insurance Phase)
Focus: Finalizing Fit
• Late bloomers get recruited
• Portal activity impacts openings
• Sign NLI (November or April)
• Maintain grades & eligibility
Freshman Year
• Focus on development
• Light communication
• Attend regional showcases
• Build relationships slowly
DII recruits later than DI.
Sophomore Year
Same as Freshman Year
• Focus on development
• Light communication
• Attend regional showcases
• Build relationships slowly
DII recruits later than DI.
Junior Year
• Major evaluation year
• Campus visits
• Scholarship conversations
• Academic fit discussion
Partial scholarships common.
Senior Year
• Heavy recruiting window
• Many offers finalized
• Strong opportunity for late developers
Freshman/Sophomore
• Academics are priority
• Development
• Intro emails welcomed
No athletic scholarships (academics matter heavily).
Junior Year
• Pre-reads with admissions
• Overnight visits
• Coach support slots discussion
• ED (Early Decision) strategy
DIII recruiting often peaks junior summer.
Senior Year
• ED / EA decisions
• Coach-supported admissions process
• Final roster spots
⚠️ DIII is admissions-driven more than athletic-driven.
NAIA
• Recruiting can happen ANY year
• Flexible timeline
• Often later than DI
• Scholarships available
• Strong opportunity for overlooked athletes
JUCO
• Great for late bloomers
• Academic reset option
• 1–2 year development bridge
• Heavy recruiting senior year
Many DI transfers come from JUCO.