Top 5 Mistakes Soccer Players Make During the Recruiting Process

College soccer recruiting can feel overwhelming, but the biggest obstacle isn't the competition—it's the avoidable mistakes that derail promising players every year. After helping hundreds of families navigate this process, I've seen the same errors repeatedly cost talented athletes their dream opportunities.

Here are the five most damaging mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Starting Too Late

The biggest myth in college soccer recruiting? “I'll worry about it junior year.” Wrong.

Top college programs begin identifying prospects as early as freshman year. By the time you're a junior, many roster spots are already filled. NCAA Division I coaches are actively recruiting sophomores, and even some freshmen are on their radar.

Start your recruiting journey by sophomore year at the latest. Create your highlight video, research target schools, and begin reaching out to coaches. The early bird doesn't just get the worm—they get the scholarship.

2. Relying Only on High School Soccer

High school soccer is important, but it's not enough for serious college soccer recruiting. College coaches prioritize club soccer performance because the competition level is higher and more consistent.

Join a competitive club team that plays in showcases and tournaments where college coaches scout. MLS NEXT, ECNL, Girls Academy, and National Academy League are ideal. If club soccer isn't financially feasible, look into ID camps where you can get direct exposure to college coaching staffs. Many programs offer need-based assistance.

Your high school achievements matter, but club soccer is where recruiting happens.

3. Creating Poor Quality Highlight Videos

Your highlight video is often your first impression with college coaches. Yet I see players sabotage themselves with grainy footage, irrelevant clips, or videos that drag on forever.

Keep your highlight video between 3-5 minutes maximum. Show your best touches, goals, assists, and defensive plays. Include game footage that demonstrates your decision-making under pressure. Avoid training clips or shots of you standing around.

Remember: coaches watch dozens of videos weekly. Make yours impossible to ignore by showcasing your impact on games, not just your skills in isolation.

4. Ignoring Academic Requirements

Athletic talent opens doors, but NCAA eligibility and academic standards keep them open. Too many players focus solely on soccer while letting grades slide, only to discover their dream schools are academically out of reach.

Maintain a strong GPA from day one. Research the academic requirements for your target schools. Division I requires completion of 16 core courses with minimum GPA requirements. Division II and III schools often have even higher academic standards.

Take the SAT or ACT early and multiple times. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center by junior year. Your soccer skills might get you noticed, but your grades determine where you can actually play.

5. Failing to Market Themselves Properly

Talented players miss opportunities because they wait for coaches to find them instead of actively promoting themselves. College soccer recruiting requires strategic self-marketing.

Email coaches directly with your highlight video, academic information, and upcoming tournament schedule. Follow up consistently but respectfully. Attend ID camps at schools you're genuinely interested in attending.

Create a recruiting profile w/ CollegeNovo that includes your stats, achievements, and contact information. Many players assume their club coach will handle everything, but you need to drive your own recruiting process.

Take Action Now

College soccer recruiting rewards preparation and persistence. Start early, play competitive soccer, create quality marketing materials, maintain strong grades, and actively communicate with coaches.

The players who avoid these five mistakes don't just get recruited—they get recruited by the schools they actually want to attend. Your college soccer journey starts with the choices you make today!