A junior right-back with a 3.6 GPA can reach Division I, but needs 6-8 video clips of every touch, confirmed coach attendance at MLS NEXT Fest, and realistic backup options. Chasing only D1 risks a gap year or rejection from D2 and D3 programs that see you as ego-driven.
I play MLS NEXT, I have a 3.6 GPA, I play right back, can I play Division I college soccer as a junior? Answer is yes, you could probably play Division I college soccer. You have the GPA, you're probably going to get the exposure you need, and right back is one of the sought-after positions at the Division I level. Typically they're not recruiting transfers or internationals for this position. Of course it could vary per team, but I would tell you you're gonna need a lot of video. 6 to 8 videos. You mentioned you're a junior, so you should already have had multiple phone calls at this point. If you haven't had any phone calls, then you may not be able to play Division 1 because it's just late in the process. It's not too late, but you're gonna have to get your act together. You also, if they're gonna, if they have confirmed they are coming to your game at MLS NEXT Fest or FLEX and they actually show up, then there's a very good chance you're on your way to play Division 1. If they say they're going to come and they actually end up not showing up, then you've got yourself in a little pickle. And here's my number one piece of advice for you: don't only think of the Division I's. The only reason I say that is because they may make you an offer, but it may not mean you're going to play. And so if you only have Division I interest, what tends to happen to many of our other students that work with us later is they end up having to take a gap year because they want to play Division I, and the Division IIIs and Division IIIs that they thought they could so easily get offers from know that you're not considering them because your ego is too big, and they don't want kids who think they're too good. And so they'll move on and they'll go find a kid who's grateful to be part of their team. So don't just think you only can play Division 1 because you're so good as a right back playing MLS Next. You're not going to have a million highlights typically, so you're going to need a lot of every-touch videos, and you're going to need to have them confirm you're coming to MLS Next Fest or FLEX. If you want help playing college soccer, give me a call. Links in the bio. Talk soon. Bye.
