How To Build A Football Recruiting Plan
A real recruiting plan defines target level, target schools, film schedule, camp schedule, communication cadence, academic milestones, and a decision timeline. Without a plan, families react to recruiting instead of running it.
Step 1 — Honest level assessment
Get neutral coach feedback. Decide on a primary, secondary, and reach level.
Step 2 — Target school list
20–40 programs split across primary, secondary, and reach levels. Geography, academics, fit.
Step 3 — Film plan
When sophomore, junior, and senior film will be cut. Who edits it. Where it's hosted.
Step 4 — Camp schedule
Two to four intentional camps per summer, weighted toward target schools.
Step 5 — Communication cadence
Athlete-led intro email after junior film. Monthly updates. Thank-you notes after visits.
Step 6 — Academic milestones
GPA targets, test prep schedule, NCAA eligibility check by junior fall.
Step 7 — Decision timeline
When to commit, when to take official visits, when to close down recruiting.
Step 8 — Review every 90 days
Recruiting changes fast. Adjust target schools, level, and outreach quarterly.
Common Mistakes
- •Reacting instead of planning
- •Skipping the level assessment
- •Building a school list by logo
- •Letting film slip on the timeline
- •Failing to review the plan quarterly
Key Takeaways
- Plans beat reactions
- Target three levels, not one
- Film and academics anchor the calendar
- Camps are scheduled, not stumbled into
- Review every 90 days
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