High School Athlete
High School Sophomore Year Guide for Student-Athletes
Your sophomore year action plan — beginning the recruiting process, building your profile, and preparing for the critical junior year ahead.
Sophomore Year: Where Recruiting Begins
For most sports, the active recruiting process starts in sophomore year. Coaches at the DI and DII levels begin identifying prospects early, and athletes who start building their profiles and making contact in tenth grade arrive at the most important recruiting year — junior year — already ahead of the competition.
Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
Create your account at the NCAA Eligibility Center website this year. Ensure your courses are on the approved core curriculum list. Track your core GPA and make sure you are on pace to meet the academic requirements for the division level you are targeting. Catching eligibility issues now leaves time to fix them.
Build Your Recruiting Profile and Highlight Video
Create a recruiting profile with your academic and athletic information. Produce or update your highlight video. Upload it to Hudl or YouTube. The video does not need to be perfect — it needs to show your ability in game situations with good camera quality. Your name, graduation year, and position should appear in the first five seconds.
Take the PSAT and Begin Test Prep
Take the PSAT in the fall of sophomore year to identify your testing strengths and gaps. Use your results to begin targeted preparation for the SAT or ACT. Plan to take the actual test by the spring of junior year, leaving time for retakes if needed.
Begin Researching Programs
Make a list of 30 to 40 college programs at every division level. Research each school's academics, athletic program, location, and culture. Begin following coaches and programs on social media. Attend events at programs that interest you. The more you know about potential programs now, the sharper your outreach will be in junior year.
Send Your First Emails to Coaches
There is no rule against contacting coaches in sophomore year — and doing so establishes you as a proactive, organized recruit. Send a brief email introducing yourself with your profile link, graduation year, academic information, and why you are interested in their program. Keep it professional and concise. The goal is to get on their radar early.