Academic Excellence is Non-Negotiable: This is number one. College coaches are looking for student-athletes, not just athletes. Maintain strong grades, take challenging courses, and understand the NCAA eligibility requirements (GPA, core courses, SAT/ACT scores). No matter how good you are on the field or court, if you don't qualify academically, you won't play.

Define Your Target: Not every school is for every athlete. Start thinking about what kind of college experience you want. Do you prefer a big university or a small liberal arts college? Close to home or far away? What academic programs interest you? Research different NCAA divisions (DI, DII, DIII) and NAIA/Junior Colleges to understand the varying levels of competition and academic focus.

Create a Player Profile: This is your athletic resume. It should include your academic info (GPA, test scores), athletic stats (height, weight, position, key stats), contact info, and coach's contact info. We'll talk more about highlight reels next week, but for now, get your basic info organized.

Communicate with Your High School/Club Coach: Your current coaches are your biggest advocates. Let them know you're interested in playing college sports. They often have connections, advice, and can help you get evaluated by college coaches.

Start Early, But Don't Panic: While some athletes are contacted early, for most, the process picks up during junior and senior year. However, starting to think about your academics and target schools now will put you miles ahead.