For parents
The College Recruiting Guide for Parents: What to Do, What to Skip, and When to Get Help
You want to help your athlete play in college, but nobody hands parents a playbook. This guide covers what your role really is, what college coaches want to see, and how to avoid the most common and expensive mistakes.
Money-back guarantee. $3,000 of it only when your athlete gets a roster spot.
Prefer to talk now? Call 760-710-1183 or Text Our Team.
- Former D1 player
- 6 years as a college recruiting coordinator
- San Diego-based
Your role: manager, not spokesperson
Coaches want to recruit the athlete, not the parent. The athlete should send the emails, take the calls and speak up on visits. Your job is just as important but mostly behind the scenes: keeping a calendar, tracking schools and replies, helping with video, keeping academics on track and asking the hard questions about money and fit.
When parents do talk with coaches, calm, supportive and realistic goes a long way. Coaches notice how families handle the process.
What college coaches actually want
- Fit. An athlete who fills a real need at their position and level.
- Evidence. Video, results and, ideally, having seen your athlete play.
- A real student. Grades that make admissions easy and show reliability.
- Character. Coachability, effort and how your athlete treats teammates.
- Trust. A recommendation from someone the coach already knows.
Understand the levels and how aid works
College sports include NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and junior college, each with different experiences and different rules about athletic aid. Division III schools don't offer athletic scholarships but often offer strong academic aid; Division I, Division II and NAIA schools can offer athletic money; junior college rules depend on the association. Many athletes end up with a package that combines athletic and academic aid. Read our athletic scholarship guide and D2, D3 and NAIA guide.
Find out where your athlete fits. It's a free 30-minute call with Chase.
Money traps parents fall into
- Events that don't fit. Paying for showcases where your athlete's target coaches won't be.
- Dream-school-only lists. Spending a year chasing programs that were never realistic.
- Paying for visibility alone. A profile makes your athlete findable, not recruited. Ask any service who actually talks to coaches and what happens if it doesn't work.
- Waiting too long to get an honest evaluation.
Questions to ask on every college visit
- Where does my athlete fit on your roster and depth chart, now and in two years?
- How many players at this position are you recruiting in this class?
- What does a typical week look like in season and out of season?
- What is the total cost of attendance, and what athletic, academic and need-based aid could my athlete receive?
- How do athletes do academically here, and what support is available?
- What happens to aid if there's an injury or a coaching change?
Good programs welcome these questions. The answers tell you far more than a campus tour.
A simple plan by grade
Early high school is for development, grades and saving film. Sophomore year is for a first video, a draft list and first emails. Junior year is usually the busiest recruiting year. Senior year is for decisions and signing, and many programs still have spots for seniors. Our recruiting timeline by grade lays it out, and our coach email template helps your athlete get started. Always check the current NCAA calendar for your athlete's sport.
When it makes sense to get help
If you're unsure what level fits, coaches aren't writing back, or you're spending a lot without a clear plan, an experienced advisor can save time and money.
The Athlete Market is led by Chase Grant, a former Division I player who spent six years as the recruiting coordinator at Palomar College and has coached in the San Diego area for many years. He's also a college professor, and he has built a network of current and former college coaches and mentors who take his call.
Our price is published and the same in every sport: $6,000 total per family. You pay $3,000 upfront, and the other $3,000 only when your athlete signs with a school or earns a college roster spot. If your athlete doesn't get a college roster spot, you get your money back. If your athlete suffers a career-ending injury, you get your money back. We walk through the full terms on your free call.
What families say
“We did not really know the landscape of how to play at the next level, and we finally found the blueprint of someone who cares and gave us that info in a genuine way.”
“Chase single handedly helped my son get into college. He wasn't the biggest or fastest kid, but with his guidance and network it made a huge difference and opened up an opportunity that might not have been there.”
“This was super beneficial for my son as he really developed over the course of his high school career and received a d2 scholarship. I do not know where he would be without the guidance and expertise of a real college coach and former pro player.”
Frequently asked questions
Should parents contact college coaches?
The athlete should lead communication. Parents can help behind the scenes and join conversations about academics, aid and logistics, especially on visits and later in the process.
What's the biggest mistake parents make in recruiting?
Usually an unrealistic school list combined with spending on events that don't reach the right coaches. An honest evaluation early fixes both.
How do I know what level my athlete can play at?
Get an honest evaluation from someone who has evaluated college recruits. Club and high school coaches can help too. Be open to every level: D1, D2, D3, NAIA and junior college.
Do we need a recruiting service?
Not always. Some families manage well on their own. A service makes sense if you want an experienced evaluation, a realistic list and introductions to coaches, ideally with pricing that shares the risk.
How much does The Athlete Market cost?
$6,000 total per family: $3,000 upfront and $3,000 only when your athlete signs with a school or earns a college roster spot, with money back if there's no roster spot or after a career-ending injury.
When should we start?
Groundwork starts early with grades and development; active recruiting usually ramps up around sophomore and junior year. Seniors and transfers still have options.
Which sports do you help with?
Baseball, softball, football, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosse, and men's and women's basketball.
Pick a time for your free 30-minute call
Choose a time that works for your family. You'll get an honest read on where your athlete fits and what to do next, with no obligation.
Calendar not loading? Open the booking page, call 760-710-1183 or text our team.
Don't let the recruiting window close on your athlete's dream.
Book a free 30-minute recruiting call. You'll get an honest read on where your son or daughter fits and what to do next, whether or not you work with us.