How Your Son Can Get Recruited to Play College Football
What parents need to know about the college recruiting process
If your son dreams of playing college football, the most important thing to understand is this: college football is a business, and your son is the product he’s trying to sell. That may sound harsh, but it’s true — and understanding this will help you support him in all the right ways.
Very few players are actively recruited by colleges. If your son isn’t one of the top 1% of rated recruits, he needs to create his own momentum. That means standing out through hard work, organization, and strategic communication with college coaches.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the recruiting journey:
1. Get Organized
Before any coach is going to take your son seriously, he needs to look the part — online and on film.
What to help him with:
- Create a short highlight reel. He doesn’t need 6 minutes of touchdowns — just 10–15 clips that show how he moves and competes.
- Set up a dedicated Twitter/X account. This is where most recruiting happens. The account should only show athletic and academic content — no random or personal posts.
- Create a new email account just for recruiting, ideally something simple like his name and jersey number.
- Build a target list of schools. Talk with his high school coach about where he realistically fits (D1, D2, D3, NAIA). Look for schools that match both athletically and academically.
Bonus tip: Fill out the “Prospective Athlete” questionnaire on each school’s athletic website before reaching out to coaches. It’s often the first thing they ask for anyway.
2. Reach Out to Coaches
Don’t wait for coaches to find your son — he needs to reach out first.
- Use a platform like Signing Day to find coaches’ contact info and social media handles.
- Start by following coaches on X (Twitter), especially the one responsible for your region or your son’s position.
- Send personal messages and emails — not through a recruiting service. Coaches can tell the difference.
We’ll cover what to say in a first message in a separate guide, but the goal is to start a real conversation, not just say “watch my highlights.”
3. Be Active on X (Twitter)
Your son’s X account is his personal brand. He should:
- Pin his highlight video to the top of his profile
- Include height, weight, position, school, GPA, and contact info
- Post regularly: game clips, workouts, achievements, nutrition, camps, and more
- Like or share coaches’ posts to stay visible
Encourage him to read his feed daily to learn what different programs are up to and who’s engaging.
4. Get Invited to Junior Days
If your son is active online and connecting with coaches, he may start getting invites to “Junior Days.”
- Virtual Junior Days (Zoom-style) come first — he should attend all of them if possible.
- In-person Junior Days may follow — pick these carefully based on fit and genuine interest.
These events aren’t tryouts. They’re about showing interest, meeting coaches, and learning about the school.
5. Attend the Right Camps
Camps are key. Some are hosted by a single school, others include multiple college programs.
- Ask coaches which camps they’ll be attending — then go there.
- Prioritize camps where coaches from your target schools will be.
- Treat camps as opportunities to show ability in person and build relationships.
Again — everything your son does (including attending camps)should be posted on X.
6. Keep Communicating
The recruiting process can be long, and things can change quickly. The most important thing your son can do is stay in touch with the coaches who show interest.
- Ask where he stands in the recruiting process.
- Keep posting and engaging on X.
- Share every offer he receives — this builds momentum.
And finally — don’t relax too early. Offers can come late, even right before Signing Day. Help your son stay focused until he signs.
Final Thoughts for Parents
You don’t have to be a recruiting expert. But your support can make all the difference. Help your son stay organized, stay positive, and keep grinding. The process takes time, and it’s not always fair — but for players who put in the work, opportunities do come.
April 22, 2025