The Biggest Recruiting Mistakes High School Players Make

College soccer recruiting isn’t just about being talented enough — it’s about navigating a process that most high schoolers have never been through before. And because there’s no real playbook handed to you, a lot of players make the same avoidable mistakes. Here are the ones that hurt players the most.

Waiting Too Long to Start

This is the big one. Most players think recruiting happens senior year. It doesn’t. College coaches are evaluating players as early as sophomore year, and by the time many seniors start reaching out, rosters are already filling up.

The earlier you start, the more options you have. Waiting doesn’t mean you’ll be left out — but it does mean you’ll be working harder to catch up.

Targeting the Wrong Schools

It feels natural to aim for the biggest programs you’ve seen on TV. But D1 powerhouses recruit a very small, very specific pool of players. A lot of talented players get stuck fixating on schools that were never realistic fits — academically, athletically, or both — while missing out on great programs at D2, D3, or NAIA schools where they could actually play and thrive. The right fit beats the flashy name every time.

Sending a Generic First Email

Coaches get hundreds of emails. “Hi Coach, I’m interested in your program” with no video, no stats, and no mention of the school specifically? It gets ignored. Your first email needs to be personal, specific, and short. Reference something real about the program. Include a highlight link. Make it unique. Give them a reason to click.

Going Silent After the First Contact

This one kills more opportunities than almost anything else. A player sends a great first email, gets a positive reply — and then just… stops. Recruiting is a relationship, and relationships require follow-through. Coaches want to see consistent interest. If you only show up once, they’ll assume you’ve moved on.

You can help yourself by keeping the convo moving. Most coaches will respect you if you follow up multiple times. It shows resiliency.

Not Keeping a Clear Communication Record

When you’re reaching out to 30 or 40 schools, things get messy fast. Players forget who they emailed, what was said, and when to follow up. Without a system, opportunities fall through the cracks — not because the coach wasn’t interested, but because the player lost track. Organization is a real competitive advantage in recruiting.

Skipping the Campus Visit

Even unofficial visits matter. Getting on campus — seeing the training facilities, meeting the coaching staff, talking to current players — tells you things a brochure never will. Players who skip this step often commit somewhere and then realize it doesn’t feel right once they arrive. Visit before you decide.

Letting Someone Else Run the Process

Parents, coaches, and advisors can all help — but coaches want to hear from you. When emails come from a parent or a club coach speaks on a player’s behalf without the player being directly involved, it raises red flags. You need to own this process. It shows maturity, and maturity is exactly what college coaches are looking for.

Recruiting doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but it does require being proactive, organized, and consistent. The players who get good outcomes aren’t always the most talented in the room — they’re the ones who treat the process seriously and stay in it.

If you’re a high school player trying to figure out where to start, 90 (go90.io) was built to help you do exactly that — manage your contacts, track your outreach, and stay organized so no opportunity slips through the cracks.