Questions with Zev

What's up everybody, we are live all over the place. We're live on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and, uh, yeah, we're live everywhere. I'm here to answer you guys' questions about the recruiting process. What's up Frazier, you're one of the first ones here. George, Kula Katar, Chano, hello everybody. I'm here to answer any of your questions about playing college soccer. I'm gonna be here for only about 30 minutes. What's good? What's up? What's up? Trying to GoPro, that's a funny username. Hello Penelope, Pio, Sergio. What's good in the hood? Um, Yofa Lane, Johann Abdouci. Hi, help me. Hi Brian, what would you like help with? Hi, hi, hi. Hey Dev. Hello Non-Stop Goalkeeper. Hello, hello, hello. What's up, Firsts? What's up, what's up? Um, 100 people here on Instagram. Why, you guys blew it out of the water over here. You're on IG. What's up, Jay Navarro? What's up, Zach? Uh, you guys have any questions about how to play college soccer? Can I scare you away, make you want to quit? Maybe. Trying hard to go pro. That's legendary. You're not going to go pro without a college offer first, so aim for that. I like Ronaldo at the minute. I have also liked Messi in the past. Can you post her how to write a resume? Resumes are not good for college coaches. They do not want a resume, so So the short answer is no, I will not do that. College coaches want very simple things— your GPA, etc. Keeper Stop, what's up? Good to see you guys. Uh, we did a collab video with them, they're awesome. If you're a goalkeeper, you should follow them. I'm at an ID camp and the coaches don't want you to talk to them. Is this a red flag? It's not a red flag, that's very normal. So follow up with an email. Could we contact you as a freshman in high school? That would be late, but definitely contact me. Is MLSX too good? Can you go into more detail about that? It's very good, depends on your club. I need to see your video, Tate. Um, but the short answer is it's a good thing. Um, I'm on my way to ODP regional camp in Utah. That's great. If you can get video of that, that would be awesome actually. Um, I'm trying to go to NC State. That's one of the best programs. You need to be playing MLS NEXT, otherwise it's not realistic for the most part. I can't hear you. Can everyone else hear me? Is US Youth Soccer League RL good for college recruiting? I just joined this new team, wonder if it will help. Um, it will not help. You need to go to camps. It will help it with some of your emails. Um, so aim for D3. What do coaches look for? Uh, Monsieur Wolf mentioned it depends what position you are, so they look for a lot of different things, um, depending on your position. But of course, the obvious ones are, are you being recruited by other schools? That's really what they want to know. Um, and to get recruited by one school, you need to start by emailing and sending video. How long should I have it be? No more than 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Can you respond to my message on IG? I'm a sophomore. Oswaldo, ask me right here. While I have you. I get lots of DMs. What should an 8th grader be doing for the college process? So much, Mason. I need you going to camps, I need you making video, I need you working on club teams, um, I need you to email the schools, I need you to go to games this fall. So call me, Mason, and we can talk about it. As a goalie, how should I set up my highlight video? You should have the best moments in the first minute, then you can set it up into categories if you so choose. Then you need a training video, then you need every-touch videos. Miss Mia, do college coaches go to EA League? They do not go to any league games. Will they go to showcases? Yes, but not, not your league games. Um, for a goalkeeper, what's the most important? Side volleys are a really easy way to stand out, but of course shot stopping is the most important. What do you lock in for forward? Goals and assists, baby. Goals and assists. Worked with your program, got 3 offers. Thank you for help. I know you did, Lucas. I'm so proud of you. Um, I'm so proud of you, guys. Lucas Benedetti, he's one of our student— former students, students. Um, and he just talked about how great we are. So thank you, Lucas. It means a lot to me that you would say that. Um, how can I use soccer Instagram to benefit me while getting recruited? You need to tag coaches, you need to send your Instagram videos via email, and you need to make sure you got good content on there. Would I get accepted for scholarship if I sent 5 highlights? No, they need to respond to you, they need to like your video. Also, if you're only sending highlights, that's not going to work. You're going to need every touch video. I had a whole phone call with High Point and I'm playing ECRL. If this is good, or do you— they call everyone? No, that's really good. Who'd you have your call with? Was it with Mason? Um, but that's great. As an English person playing for IMG, what is the usual level for D1, D2, D3? Are you saying you're English as in you're living— you're British but you play for IMG? It depends what level you're playing at IMG. If you're playing for MLS Next, then D1, D2 is realistic. Just signed with Qatar and Mexico. Wow, that's cool. Tony Anderson. Oh, Tony, that's a good coach. That's a real deal. Hey, I see kids and parents buying followers to create stats. Do college coaches care? No, they do not care, and I would not bother. Um, just go to number 3. Okay. Oh, we got— thank you, YMND. Do you think if I'm D2, can I still make it pro? Um, yeah, for sure. You just have to go to a bunch of tryouts. What does it take to play at the University of Kentucky? MLS Next and ECNL for sure. There could be exceptions if you're a local player, but you got to send a bunch of video and you got to go to their camp. Um, if a college coach want to have a call with you and want to talk to you about the program, is that a good sign? Yeah, hell yeah, that's a great sign. What do coaches look for? Amelia Wolf. Um, it depends what position are you. If a college coach want to have a call with you, that's really good. "What's the first thing to do by sophomores?" Make a video. "I play for Rapids U13 MLS next. Can I go pro?" I don't know if you can go pro, but college soccer might be possible. And you're going to need a college offer before you go pro anyway. So I would focus on college first. Then you might be able to go pro. You also can leverage college interest to get a better pro contract. "What are the most D1 programs for 2022?" When you say, what are most D1 programs? As in, are they done? What are— I'm sorry, Vince, I don't understand the question. Um, what should we expect when we call? You better be prepared to talk about them. You are the best. Oh, thank you, Katie Darrington, that means a lot to me. What are we— you should know about their school, you should be ready to compliment them, you should be able to ask them questions. Um, ZZ Sleepy, give me a call, we can talk about it. Is NAL that good? Good for D1, D2, or D3. I'm a rising 15-year-old sophomore, I want to start my college recruiting process and play Eastern and I want to play D1. You're already behind if you want to play Division 1. Um, however, make a video, Oswaldo, and then send it to me in the link in the bio. Um, okay, can I play D1 if I have a 3.0 GPA? No. Um, I mean, you might unless you're really good. Of course there's exceptions, but that's going to make your life very difficult. Um, with a 3.0, I know. RIP to Diego, that's so sad. Can I go D1 from each and all? Yes, you can. We've done it before, but you have to make a lot more video and go to more camps. What are most D1 programs at? Oh, where are most D1 programs at for 2026? On the boys' side, um, they're about 30% of the way done. What are the most— can I go D1 from ECRL? Yes. I'm going to 8th grade playing MLS Next 2 and I'm in a good place. That's a good place to start. Yes. Can I major in nursing and play D1 soccer? Absolutely, definitely, Kenzie, 100%. There's lots of people who do that. What a chance of going pro through college, university? Less than 1%, but it's still more than if you don't go to university, which is like less than 0.01%. What should I be doing as an ECRL player in 8th grade? Highlight video, go to camps, send emails. Middlebury is a great program, Jennifer. Incredible, incredible, incredible. Should I play college ball or play in Mexico? Uh, I only help with college, so it's up to you. Are ID camps worth going to? Yes, you have to go to some of them, but some of them suck. Would you want to react to my Easton L highlight video? Send it to the link in bio and book a call, and I'm happy to look at it. Should I play? Thanks for your help. You're welcome, Connor. Senior, 4.3 GPA, Arsenal '08. Can I go D1? Uh, Oliver, book a call. I need to know more about you. I need to know if you have interest, if you've had phone calls, if you've had— if you have an official visit coming up, then yes. If not, it might be too late. I need to know more about you, so give me a call. Um, what's your opinion? I, I think you should play. I think you should try and go play in Mexico, but if you don't make it, then you're screwed. So you should email coaches and go to camps and then go to your dream in Mexico, but don't give up on the college process because if you don't make it in Mexico, you're screwed. If I'm an above-average MLS player, how do I get trials with MLS Academy? Hi, that video, and, um, email them and you can go to their training facilities. If I'm in 7th grade, is MLS Next 2 good for my age? Yes, Connor, that's great. Good job. Do I have to go to college if I want to play professional? Statistically speaking, yes. Um, I'm at the University of Wisconsin. I'm at a camp right now. Do we have any tips for me? Memorize the players on your team so you get the ball a lot more. If you have a chance to talk to coaches, great. Ask them what level you think you should aim for. If not, follow up afterwards. And otherwise, score lots of goals or get lots of assists or be selfish. How do I get on MLS team to increase my chance to play college soccer, preferably D1? Um, how do I get on highlight video, Joey? Highlight video. Do I have to go to ID camps going junior year? Yes, you do. NAL is trash. There we go. What do you need for my Ivy League soccer recruitments, especially for sophomores? You need a 3.0, 4.0 for sure. You have to go to their— the couple different ID camps that you have to go to, and you got to make a bunch of video. How do I use me getting a visit already to get more interest from schools? How you write that email is very important, Tate. Book a call and we can talk about it. Is going to camps at 12 years old playing MLS 2.5, 3.0 GPA good? You need to get your grades up. But otherwise, it is very good. Do the coaches of the camp review the camp videos, or at least— no, they never do, ever. Never, ever. Camp videos are worthless. Nobody watches them. Nobody cares. You can't use them. What are the most D1 programs— okay, where are most D1 programs at, Vince? That's what you're saying. Um, 30% done. I play Challenger and we go to big tournaments. It's okay if 8th grade going to 9th grade Challenger will not help you play college soccer, so you might have to consider leaving. But if you go to big tournaments with college coaches, that could be the exception. What's the first thing I should do as a sophomore in high school? Make a highlight video. Make a high school video and then go to camps. Uh, Michael Ikuru, book a call with me. Ivy League kids are a different scenario. Okay, good job everybody. Oh my gosh, look at her. Okay, I play for FC Dallas East RL 14. Should I go on trials at MLS Next in Texas? Um, yeah, if you can, that'd be great. How do I get prepared for a call with a college coach? Comment the word phone on any of my videos and it will send you a bunch of tips. Should I worry about college coaches? I'm 14 years old, I'm a freshman. Yes, if you want to play D1, you should get started. I'm playing EA Elite Academy sophomore, haven't started emailing, can't play D1. Not without sending emails, so you got to hurry up and get your video together, Elijah, otherwise you will get stuck behind. Other players will get calls. Is playing girls DPL good for rising sophomores? You will not play Division 1 soccer, but Division 2 or Division 3 is possible, mostly Division 3. If I play NPL as a 15-year-old, how do I get to play college soccer? You must send video and go to camps. I'm playing— I'm an Elite Academy sophomore, haven't started emailing, can't play D1. Gotta start emailing. Okay, what Girls ECNL Showcase is the best for college coaches? Mia Taylor, there's a bunch of them, but Mia, if you go on my Instagram and comment the word ECNL, I will send you every showcase you need to go to. I followed up after Portland camp and they ghost me, but they watch my film. What does that mean? It probably means that they don't think you're the level and you should move on. But if you followed up and you just said— it depends what you asked them. That's why it depends how you guys email. Following up is not enough. You have to send a specific email to get the best responses. Going to camp soon, any advice? Memorize the players on your team. You'll get the ball a lot more. So if I get released, I'm cooked, correct? You're good, you're good, because college coaches will have already recruited everybody going into sophomore year playing. Ethan, I almost asked for the first time, I have a little video, D1 chances. I need to see your video, Shadow, need to see your video. Send it to the link about what are the best D3s in the Midwest. Um, Mason, what part of the Midwest are you in? There's a lot in terms of D3s. Um, there's so many. Why don't you go on my Instagram, you can comment the initials of the state, so IN for Indiana, and then the word state, IN state, and it'll give you every school in Indiana and so on and so forth. Because it depends if you want the best, like Concord's really good, but it depends what kind of coaching you are, what kind of style. So book a call and we can talk about it. What should a highlight video of a fullback include? Crosses and 1v1 defending. During the sophomore year, received multiple emails from the same D1 attend. Clank, is it good? It's probably generic, so it probably doesn't mean that much, to be honest, Mr. Caden. But if you— if it's a dream school, you should go to their camp. Are NAIA academics good? No, they're very good. NAIA still have very good academics. How long is it to wait before making a decision? How long is too long? You cannot usually wait more than 2 to 4 weeks, um, then you get in trouble. Typically they'll, they'll leave after that. Is Juco good route to D1? It's very difficult. Easton L is better than MLS Next? No, not for boys. Um, I'm going to SNHU New Hampshire this fall. Of course they're very good. Are you playing soccer there? Um, how How should I format my emails as a freshman to a college coach? Danica, we customize for every student, so book a call and we can customize it for you. I'm playing Elite Academy sophomore, I haven't started emails yet. Okay, um, okay, YouTube. What should I— what GPA should I have for D1? Above a 3.0. I'm a rising freshman, I want to get to the academy level, D1, from school playing high school. What GPA should I have? Okay, I'm a rising freshman and I want to get to the academy level and D1 from playing high school soccer. Make a video, Kevvo, and send it to me. What do recruiters look for in right wingers? Go Goals and assists and crosses. What if I play UPSL regional? UPSL will not help you for college soccer at all. College coaches don't care about it. It's a good thing, it means you're a good player, so you must go to camp and must make video. What exactly are college coaches looking for in a striker? Goals and assists for sure, but it depends. Hold up play, some people like running behind. Whatever you're good at, put it in your video so we can see a lot of it. I'm 15, play UPSL, what should I do? Go to camps. UPSL does not get recognized. If you don't have high-level videos, should you be emailing? No, you must have video. You can go to camps, but you cannot be emailing. When's the usual time for college coach to contact you while playing? You see, now there is no usual time. It depends. Every school is completely different. The short answer is if you're very good and you're contacting them, they will contact you. I'm entering my junior year playing MLS Next 2 with 3.3 GPA. What should I be going to do? Yeah, for D2, D3s, which is very realistic with that GPA, um, you need to be making video and sending it out and going to camps. How can I respond to a generic ID camp emails? You should say, dear coach, thank you so much for the invite to camp. May I confirm you're looking for blank for the class of blank? It's a generic email, so you just follow up anyways. Um, going to freshman year as an NAL fullback, what should I do? Uh, make a highlight video and send out to coaches. I play attacking midfield, defending midfield, but every college camp I go to, they put me at center back. And advice: you have to tell the coaches that's not your position. And even if it means you don't play as much, you cannot play there because you will not get recruited if you don't play in your position. I'm in 8th grade playing MLS 6U with a 4.0 GPA. That's also why you need to email the coaches beforehand. Um, but do— unless you want to play center back, But if you don't want to play center back in college, you cannot play. Then you have to say to the coach, coach, I appreciate that the team— I will do whatever the team needs. However, this is not my position. May have the opportunity to play in a center mid role. What is the best social media platform to post game clips? Twitter and Instagram. I'm in 8th grade playing MLS X2 with a 4.0 GPA. That's really good, Nimi. Give me a call. That's fantastic. Is it worth doing school and do full football? I'm in the EU. Internationals, book a call. It's complicated. I play as a 10, so definitely you want to play in that role in the camps too. Should I play MSX2 with the chance of playing MSX or stay on ECNL? Tiva Taublieb, I would probably switch. Um, are some ID camps free? No, no ID camps are free. These are how the college coaches make money. Um, I got recruited a month before I graduated high school. Everyone's story is different. Very well said. Should I be emailing coaches rising 8th grade? Not sure, I need to see your video. If it's really good, I would say there's advantages to it. Um, the kid who got committed right before he graduated high school, did you go to a Big Ten school or a top 25 program? That's That's kind of the difference, is if you start earlier, you go to higher level schools. What's the best time to email coaches during the day? Doesn't matter, email them anytime. Just don't email them after 9 PM. How many camps do you recommend I attend, and how do you select? Uh, we can help you select, Dylan. That's my job. So book a call and we can talk about it, and I can try and help you guys. Okay everyone, I was here a little bit longer than 30 minutes. I do try and go live every day for about 30 minutes or so. I love all of you. Thank you so much for coming. If you want help, in the link of the bio is how you book a call with us, and, um, That's how we can help you. Uh, I really appreciate your time and I can't wait to talk to you more. Book a call and I'll talk to you soon.