EXACT Sports
High School Junior Year Checklist
Critical High School (Grade 11) Checklist: The Action Phase
Initiate Contact: Active Outreach is Key
- Send Introductory Emails: Based on your target list, send personalized introductory emails to coaches (Head Coach and Assistants) at every school on your list.
- Follow Up Regularly: Continue sending follow-up emails with updated stats, tournament schedules, and academic information every 4–6 weeks.
- Master the Phone Call: Be prepared to answer calls from coaches. Practice your phone etiquette and prepare questions for these conversations.
Initiate Contact: Active Outreach is Key
- Highlight Reel: Your main recruiting video must be complete and easily shareable via a single link (YouTube, Hudl, etc.).
- Clean and Update Profiles: Ensure your online recruiting profiles and social media are polished, professional, and contain current contact information and academic stats.
- Use Coaches' Corner Insights: Utilize the advice straight from coaches on what to include (and exclude) in your highlight reel.
Testing, Visits, and Official Business
- Take the SAT/ACT: Register for and take your standardized tests. You may need to take them multiple times to achieve your target score.
- Campus Visits: Begin scheduling unofficial campus visits to schools on your target list. Evaluate campus life, facilities, and the team atmosphere.
- Register with Clearinghouse: Formally register with the NCAA Eligibility Center or the NAIA Eligibility Center (if you haven't already). This is mandatory to be certified to play.
The Finish Line is in Sight: Senior Decisions
Junior Year Recruiting Checklist FAQ
This is often one of the most important years for communication. Junior year is usually when the recruiting process becomes more active, even though the exact timing still varies by sport, division, and athlete. It is the point where earlier development, academics, film, and school research start turning into more direct evaluation and clearer conversations with coaches.
If you feel behind, the answer is not panic. It is getting organized and focusing on the parts of the process you can still control. That usually means updating your film, refining your school list, understanding the rules that apply to your sport, and reaching out with useful information instead of waiting to be found. Camps, coach outreach, and updated film can all matter here, but each one is only part of the larger recruiting process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do junior year for recruiting to stay on schedule?
Staying on track during junior year requires a mix of academic consistency, clear coach outreach, and updated film. Set aside regular time each week for school research, film updates, and coach communication. Junior year is often a more active part of the process, but the exact timing still varies by sport, division, and athlete. Keep your grades high so you stay eligible and keep more options open.
Takeaway:
Use junior year to stay organized, keep your film current, and communicate clearly with coaches.
How should I narrow down my target school list this year?
Narrowing your target school list involves evaluating your athletic fit, academic interests, and the actual roster picture of the programs. Look at the current players in your position to see if the coach is graduating seniors soon or if the roster may shift in the near future. You should categorize schools into reach, fit, and safety buckets to ensure you have options. Seek honest feedback from your current coaches to refine this list with more realistic expectations.
Takeaway:
Use roster data to find programs where you may be a more realistic fit.
What are the best ways to get seen by college coaches?
Gaining visibility usually involves a mix of strong film, direct coach outreach, and in-person evaluation opportunities such as ID camps, showcases, and tournaments. Camps and events can help because coaches can evaluate you live, but they are only one part of the larger recruiting process.
While online profiles are helpful, clear film and real competition context still matter a lot in evaluation. Do not rely on tagging coaches on social media to stay visible. Proactive emailing remains one of the clearest ways to share useful information and give a coach a reason to evaluate you.
Takeaway:
The best way to get seen is to combine clear film, useful coach outreach, and the most relevant in-person events rather than relying on any one step by itself.
How often should I update my highlight video during the season?
You should update your highlight video when you have meaningful, verified new material, such as a significant performance, clearer clips, or film that better reflects your current level. Coaches want to see that you are improving and playing consistently against real competition throughout the season. Keep the video short and put your best clips in the first thirty seconds. Including a link to the full game film is also helpful for coaches who need more complete context.
Takeaway:
Keep your film current so it reflects your strongest and most relevant recent play.
When is the right time to schedule unofficial campus visits?
The right time to schedule unofficial campus visits depends on your sport, division, and where you are in the recruiting process. Visiting while students are on campus gives you a more realistic feel for the school culture and daily life. In general, unofficial visits are most useful when you have enough context to evaluate the school seriously and when the timing fits the recruiting rules that apply to your sport. Try to meet with the coaching staff during these visits to learn more about the program and ask clearer questions about fit. Seeing the facilities and meeting teammates helps you determine if the school is a practical fit.
Takeaway:
Visit campuses when you are ready to evaluate the school seriously and when the timing makes sense for your sport and recruiting process.
| FEATURE | D-1 | D-2 | D3 | NAIA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Scholarships | Full | Partial | No | Yes |
| Academic Flexibility | Medium | High | Very High | High |
| Competition Level | Elite | High | Competitive | Competitive |
| Recruiting Intensity | Very High | High | Moderate | Moderate |