NCAA roster-cap rules remain unclear, so Division I soccer programs are telling prospects they're not recruiting them yet, not because of lack of interest. The 2025 recruiting cycle won't wrap until March. Apply to schools directly even without an offer, and contact Division II and III programs as backup plans.
Biggest issue I'm running into right now with my 2025s. For my 2025s, you guys keep being told that you are not in their recruiting plans. What does that mean? I'm going to tell you in under 60 seconds. So that doesn't mean that they don't want to recruit you. It just means that right now the NCAA doesn't really know exactly how the rules are going to pan out. Some schools, it turns out, are going to be able to opt out of the roster cap. Other schools are not going to, and the coaches genuinely don't know. I've heard from coaches at all levels of the D1 level literally texting our students, look, We really like you. We just don't know what's going to happen with the rules yet. So we just have to sit tight. So this will be the first year, in my opinion, where the recruiting process for Division I schools won't be completely finished for domestic players until March. Usually for internationals, they get recruited on the later side. So for domestic players, I don't think it's going to get done until March. So right now, if you're 25 and you've been talking to D1s and you're a D1-level player and you haven't gotten an offer, normally I would say, yeah, there's something going wrong. Now I might tell you, look, are you following up and watching their games? Have you applied to the school? Make sure you freaking apply. That's super important. Education comes first. Make sure you frickin' apply even if they're not responding to you. If it's your dream school, please, for the love of goodness' sake, apply to the school. And because the deadlines will pass you, and then when they do want you, it'll be too late. So please apply to the school. And if you get into the school without them recruiting you, then all of a sudden you could get in. Now, if you're not sure if you're able to get in without their help, then don't apply yet because then you might get rejected and then they cannot help you once you've been rejected. You should email Division III and Division II schools. The transfer portal this year is going to be absolutely insane. I got a message recently from a mother-daughter who plays for UW, one of the best schools in the country, and she's literally suing super concerned about her daughter redshirting this year and next year being cut because the transfer portal is going to be freaking nuts. So please reach out to D2, D3s as a backup. Otherwise, you might not be able to play college soccer at all. And I know it sounds like, well, I would rather— if you'd rather quit soccer than play Division 2, Division 3, then so be it. Don't call me if that's the case. You have to be open-minded because if you really want to play college soccer, it's about finding the right coach and getting the right education. If you want more help, comment, call, and I'll schedule a call with you and your family. Bye.
