Alex SwensonRecruiting Advisor| This is a digital version of Alex

Biggest mistake of families in recruiting: Obsessing over D1

27 Mar 2026 · 1 min

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1:25

In this solo advisory video, former Division I coach and recruiter Alex Swenson warns families and athletes against fixating on Division I (D1) as the ultimate goal in college sports recruiting. Drawing on his experience evaluating thousands of athletes, he explains that athletes who force a D1 placement despite being a better fit for Division II or III often end up transferring, quitting, or sitting on the bench, while peers who accept D2/D3 offers tend to play more, develop, and enjoy a richer college experience. Swenson reframes the central question from “Can I play D1?” to “Where can I play, thrive, and have a great on‑ and off‑field experience?” He emphasizes the need for honest, realistic evaluation, openness to lower‑division options, and the possibility of later transferring up. The video concludes with practical advice for families to assess fit, seek truthful feedback, and keep options open to maximize the athlete’s long‑term success.

Chapters

As a former D1 coach and recruiter, if I could go back and talk to each family that I recruited, I would tell them this about D1. The truth is, I've evaluated thousands of athletes, and the ones that forced D1 or only focused on Division I when they were a better fit at a D2 or D3, they either transferred out, they quit, or they sat the bench and didn't really get any playing time, where their high school teammates who went to D2, D3 level and weren't the D1 or best had better opportunities, played more, and thrived at that level. Here's the shift. Don't think of D1 as better. It's just different. The wrong question is, can I play Division 1? The right question is, where can I play, thrive, and have a great college experience on the field and off the field? See, here's what matters and what to think about. See, chasing Division 1 is understandable, especially if you could play at that level, but you need a true evaluation, something somebody to help you out and give you honest feedback. But you've got to leave your options open for D2 and D3 because a lot of athletes are fringe athletes where they might be able to play at a lower Division I school or might not, might get passed over and not play at all even if you get in. Or they could play at a D2 or D3 and have a great career and maybe they transfer up as they go through their college experience. These are the things that you need to think about and put yourself in the best possible position. Good luck.