College Soccer Recruiting Timeline: Month‑by‑Month Checklist

Navigating the college soccer recruiting timeline can feel like juggling classes, club matches, school seasons, camps, and NCAA rules—without dropping the ball. The process spans several years, and the timing of your actions often determines whether you receive scholarship offers or end up scrambling during your senior year. This month‑by‑month checklist will help you stay organized, proactively communicate with coaches, and ensure you never miss key recruiting dates. Drawing on up‑to‑date NCAA recruiting calendars and expert guidance, it breaks down exactly what you should focus on each month from your freshman through senior years. By the end, you’ll know when to train, when to showcase, when to email coaches, and how to manage deadlines for academic eligibility and the National Letter of Intent.

January – Set Goals, Plan, and Evaluate

The new year is a fresh start—and in recruiting terms, January is about reflection and planning.

• Evaluate last season’s performance: Review match footage and identify technical skills to improve. If you’re in your freshman or sophomore year, use this as a chance to set training goals and refine your first touch, passing, and positional awareness .

• Meet with coaches: Ask your high school or club coach for honest feedback on strengths and weaknesses. Discuss which tournaments or showcases to attend later in the year.

• Academic check: Make sure your GPA is on track. Strong grades give you more options and show coaches you can handle college coursework.

• Plan your calendar: Research major tournaments, ID camps, and SAT/ACT dates; add them to a Google Sheet or calendar with reminders.

For upperclassmen, January can also be a good time to update your player profile, refresh your highlight reel, and brainstorm a shortlist of schools that fit your academic and athletic goals.

February – Prep for Spring Showcases and Camps

With winter conditioning in full swing, February’s focus is sharpening your skills and preparing for exposure events.

• Join winter training or futsal programs: Quick, small‑sided games improve agility and ball control.

• Finalize spring event registrations: Book any ID camps or showcases you’ll attend. Sophomores should prioritize local camps to test their level and get coaching feedback.

• Polish your highlight footage: Capture new clips from winter or indoor leagues to demonstrate improvement. Even if you’re only in 9th or 10th grade, building an initial highlight reel now will save time later.

• Maintain academics: If you’re a junior, begin prepping for standardized tests, and schedule the SAT or ACT for late spring.

This preparation phase ensures you’re not rushing when camps and showcases begin.

March – Create/Update Your Soccer Recruiting Profile

As spring season kicks off, March is the time to refine your recruiting materials.

• Build or update your player profile: Include your name, graduation year, positions, academic information, and club/high school team stats.

• Edit highlight video: Keep it between 4–6 minutes, featuring your best plays first, and include a mix of goals, assists, defensive stops, and smart passes. Use clear labeling so coaches can identify you quickly.

• Research colleges: Start compiling a list of 15–20 programs that match your academic interests and playing level. Look beyond Division I—some of the best opportunities exist at Division II, NAIA, or junior college levels.

• Email introduction templates: Draft short, personalized emails to coaches on your prospective list. You’ll use these next month.

By spring break, you should have a polished player profile and highlight reel ready to share.

April – Reach Out to Coaches and Compete

April is when you start putting your name out there—especially if you’re a sophomore or junior.

• Send introduction emails: Let coaches know who you are, where you play, and when you’ll be at showcases or camps. Keep it concise; include your video link, academic info, and upcoming schedule.

• Compete in tournaments: Coaches scout high‑level events during spring club season. Inform them of your jersey number and game times so they can watch you.

• Visit colleges unofficially: If you’re a junior, plan campus tours. Walking around and meeting players gives you a feel for the program’s culture.

• Stay organized: Track communications in a spreadsheet—note who responds and what next steps they recommend.

This proactive approach sets you apart from recruits who assume coaches will find them on their own.

May – Evaluate Fit and Prepare for Summer Camps

As the school year winds down, you’ll start refining your college target list and prepping for intense summer recruiting.

• Assess program fit: Review responses from coaches and decide which camps or clinics align best with your goals. Don’t focus only on famous Division I names; some of the best fits are outside D1.

• Check academic eligibility: Verify that you’re on track with core courses and NCAA credit requirements. Juniors should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

• Finalize summer schedules: Register for ID camps at schools you’re most interested in, ideally in June and July.

• Plan your training regimen: If you’re a rising senior, design a summer fitness plan that prepares you for high‑level performance at camps and showcases.

Think of May as a transitional month—fine‑tuning your plan before the busy summer.

June – Key Contact Dates and Camps

June is one of the most critical months in the soccer recruiting calendar, especially for rising juniors and seniors.

• June 15th contact date: For Division I and II programs, coaches can make verbal offers and contact recruits beginning June 15 after the athlete’s sophomore year. Before this date, coaches may not respond to most inquiries, though they can send camp information.

• Attend ID camps: Use June and early July to attend camps at your top‑choice schools. These events allow coaches to see you perform in person and gauge how you fit into their system.

• Communicate effectively: After camps, send thank‑you emails and highlight what you learned. If a coach shows interest, maintain a respectful dialogue without over-communicating.

• Stay academically focused: If you’re a junior, take SAT/ACT exams before summer ends. If your scores aren’t where you want them, schedule a retake.

Coaches are building their lists during this period, so staying on their radar is key.

July – Showcase Your Skills and Narrow Your List

July is high season for recruiting events and decision‑making.

• Play in major showcases: Tournaments like the Jefferson Cup, Surf Cup, or ECNL National Events attract dozens of college coaches. Make sure you’re physically ready, and email coaches with your schedule.

• Follow NCAA rules: Outside of dead periods, contact is allowed as long as you’re respectful and within communication guidelines.

• Reflect on camp feedback: Rank the programs you’ve visited based on academics, playing style, coaching philosophy, and campus culture.

• Consider finances: Start discussing scholarships, grants, and the potential cost of attendance. Even partial scholarships can make a big difference.

• Maintain fitness: Don’t let your conditioning slip between events; consistent performance is essential.

By the end of July, you should have a short list of 5–8 programs where mutual interest exists.

August – High School Season and Continued Outreach

August marks the start of high school preseason and a crucial time to solidify relationships with coaches.

• High school training: Arrive fit to perform well. Coaches watch how you compete in different environments, including school teams.

• Send updated schedules: Provide college coaches with your fall high school schedule. They often attend local games when they’re recruiting.

• Plan official visits: Rising seniors should schedule official visits (programs pay for your travel) during the fall. Division I schools often book these early; plan ahead.

• Continue following up: If coaches show interest, keep them updated on your progress. If interest wanes, don’t get discouraged; concentrate on the programs that value you.

August is about balancing performance for your school team while staying engaged with recruiting contacts.

September – Academics and Official Visits

The fall semester brings the return of classes and an uptick in campus activity.

• Maintain grades: Stay disciplined with study schedules; college coaches check transcripts and want to see consistent academic performance.

• Register with NCAA Eligibility Center: Seniors must ensure all required documents—transcripts, test scores—are submitted.

• Schedule official visits: Division I soccer programs often host recruits on weekends in September and October. Plan travel carefully and communicate with your high school coach about absences.

• Play your best: Coaches will assess how you perform under real game pressure in high school competitions.

If you’re a junior, September is a good time to retake SAT/ACT exams if needed and refine your highlight video with early-season clips.

October – Decision‑Making and Communication

October is when you’ll start to see scholarship offers or roster spots formalize.

• Evaluate offers: Compare academic programs, scholarship packages, team culture, and proximity to family. Don’t overlook Division II, NAIA, or junior colleges if they provide a better fit.

• Continue communication: Coaches expect recruits to respond promptly. If you receive multiple offers, respectfully inform each coach where you stand.

• Retake tests if needed: The last ACT/SAT sessions for seniors occur in October. Strong scores can help with academic scholarship opportunities.

• Stay focused on soccer: Club playoffs and showcase events continue; maintain performance levels and avoid injuries.

This period can be stressful, but careful organization will keep you in control.

November – Signing Period and Dead Period Awareness

November is both exciting and restrictive due to NCAA recruiting rules.

• National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing: The NCAA’s early signing period for soccer usually begins in early November. For the 2025‑26 cycle, Division I and Division II men’s programs have a dead period from November 10‑13, 2025—the 48 hours surrounding the first day of the signing period. During this time, in‑person recruiting contact is not permitted.

• Make your decision: If you receive an offer and decide to commit, sign the NLI and inform other coaches that you’re no longer available.

• Finalize applications: Complete any outstanding college applications and double‑check financial aid documents.

• Prepare for winter training: After signing, maintain physical fitness and start following your future program’s off‑season training plan.

Understanding the dead period ensures you don’t plan visits or expect in‑person meetings when they’re not allowed.

December – Quiet Period and Winter Development

December wraps up the calendar year and features a few key recruiting notes.

• Quiet period: In Division I men’s soccer, there’s a quiet period from December 23‑25, when coaches and recruits may have on‑campus contact but no off‑campus visits. Use this time to reflect and connect with your future teammates if you’ve committed.

• Second dead period: For Division I men, another dead period occurs December 12‑15 during the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship. In-person communication is restricted.

• Update highlight video: Add fall season clips and send them to coaches you’re still in contact with. Even if you’ve committed, sharing progress shows professionalism.

• Plan off-season goals: Focus on strength, conditioning, and technical improvements. This is also a good time to analyze academic performance and adjust your class schedule for the spring semester.

December is about closing the loop on the year, respecting NCAA rules, and preparing for the next phase of your soccer journey.

Concluding Thoughts

Building a successful college soccer recruiting timeline is more than just a checklist; it’s a strategic plan that balances athletic development, academics, and communication. Start early—freshman and sophomore years are about foundation and research. Sophomores should attend local camps and build a player profile. By junior year, coaches can respond to your outreach, and you should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Seniors must manage official visits, compare offers, and respect dead periods. Throughout, keep your academics strong and be open to programs at all levels. With this month‑by‑month guide, you’ll stay on track, avoid common mistakes, and increase your chances of finding a program where you can thrive on and off the field.

Ready for personalized recruiting guidance? I offer one‑on‑one consultations to help players and families craft individualized timelines, polish highlight videos, and manage communications. Book your college soccer recruiting consultation to accelerate your journey toward the perfect collegiate fit.