A Division I soccer player challenges the advice that only elite-league players should make highlight videos, attend camps, and email coaches. He got a full ride despite being told his height and limited exposure made college soccer impossible, and says lower-level players need to do those things anyway to get noticed.
If you're a freshman, these are 3 things you should not be doing if you want to play Division I college soccer. Number 1, do not go to any ID camps unless you are playing at the E64, NPL, Elite Academy, NAL, MLS Next, or ECNL level. If you're not playing at those levels, you should not be going to ID camps. You are not ready to do so. Number 2, you should not make a highlight video unless you can create at least 30 clips in which you look really, really good. If you cannot create 30 clips, then do not start creating your highlight video. Number 3, you should not email any coaches unless you are playing ECNL RL, MLS NEXT 2, or MLS NEXT. Elite Academy, NAL, E64, and NPL could arguably be in that route, but But otherwise, you should also not email any coaches. Now here's the problem you guys are facing with these do-nots that I've just given you. I was told that I was never going to play college soccer, that I was too short. And I went on to get a full ride and play Division I soccer despite playing JV soccer my junior year. And I listened to the people that said, don't do this, don't do that. And to be honest with you, if I didn't email schools despite not being at the high level, did I not go to camp, Did I not make a highlight video? I would not have played college soccer. So while this is what people, the college recruiting process will tell you, honestly, if you really want to play Division 1 and you're not say playing MLS Next, you got to do these things anyways. And you have to submit your videos. You have to make more videos. You have to go to more camps. Otherwise you will not be recruited to play at least Division 1 soccer. If you want more help, give me a call. Links in the bio. Talk soon. Bye.
