National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.
If you are ready to take your recruiting to the next level, click the Get Scouted button below to be evaluated by an NSR College Scout.
Get Scouted Scouting CareersRecruiting has shifted into high gear for many college sports.
The NCAA’s regular signing period is just three months away for football and soccer and just five months away for all other sports.
National Scouting Report scouts guide their prospects through the college recruiting process. However, prospects can do several things on their own to increases their chances of receiving offers.
Robby Wilson, National Softball Director and highly successful area director in Arkansas, offers these 10 suggestions:
Update your NSR 50-school list
If you haven’t updated your list in the last six months, or at all, you need to do so now. Log into your NSR portal. Use your normal username and password — same as your NSR email — to log in. Go to the tab that says “forms.” Print the Platinum preference or Elite preference and complete it. Email it back to your area scout.
Update your regional search form
If you haven’t updated your form in the last six months, or at all, you need to do so now. Follow the same instructions as you did for the 50-school list. Print the regional search form and complete it. Email it back to your area scout.
Register for standardized tests
If you haven’t taken the SAT or ACT at least 2-3 times, you should. Only the highest scores in each section count on the SAT, so it’s to your advantage to keep taking it. Only the highest average score counts on the ACT, so keep taking that, too. The next SAT is scheduled for Dec. 5. The next ACT is set for Dec. 12.
Update your NSR profile
Update your personal message. Write it as if it’s an email to a college coach. Don’t tell your life story. Also update your profile pictures, academic info, stats, travel team info and schedules.
Check your NSR email daily
Make sure your NSR email is set up on your phone. Reply to all coaches who email you. Thank them for their interest. Ask them questions about their programs. You need to establish relationships with them and keep them interested. Contact your local scout if you don’t know what to say.
Schedule showcases and camps
Email your showcase/tournament schedules to your local scout as you receive them. If you want coaches to watch you play, your scout needs to have ample time to invite them. If you’re attending a camp, your local scout needs to know at least a week ahead. Email him/her the sports camp recommendation form (under “forms” in your portal). Send a text to your scout a few days before the camp, reminding him/her you’re attending. Send the coaches an email after you register, letting them know. Send them another email 1-2 days before the camp about how excited you are and attach a link to your NSR profile. Email coaches after the camp to thank them for coming.
Email pictures/info for social media sharing
If you experience a major athletic or academic accomplishment, text your local scout, so he/she can post it to social media. College coaches see those posts. It’s a way for NSR scouts to passively market you to coaches. If you’re not keeping your scout updated, don’t expect to see what you’re sending.
Once you’re committed or offered…
Keep in touch with the college coach(es) weekly. If you’re committed, let the coaches know where you’re playing each week and then follow up with how you did. If you’re offered but not committed, update the coaches weekly with where you’re going and how you did. This will ease nervous tension with the coaches and, in most cases, prevent them from putting timelines on you.
If you don’t have an offer….
Now is the time you make a big push, regardless of your graduation year. Mid-November through mid-February are hot recruiting months. If you’ve received Division I attention but have not received offers, don’t give up. However, you need to also adjust your sights and open your eyes to other levels and programs you weren’t previously considering. College ball is college ball. Don’t miss out on other opportunities because you have tunnel vision on one level or program.
What’s next (2016-2020 prospects)?
2016: It’s time to start making decisions if you haven’t already. 2017-2018: It’s time to open your eyes and understand that being wanted and valued is best. It may be time to pursue possibilities you’ve been ignoring. 2019-2020: It’s go time. You need to be calling college coaches, visiting schools, and emailing and texting coaches weekly with updates.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.