??A Look Inside College Soccer Recruitment

How do you prepare for the college level workload and intensity before you're even there? What if my kid plays multiple positions? When should they start preparing for recruitment? Former college coach and current Recruiting consultant Rhys Cannella sat down with us to answer these questions, and even extended his advice for coaches and parents to assist their kids off the pitch. Let's dive in and hit the next level of preparing our players for a successful college career ?

Three takeaways from this interview:

1. Understanding the difference in workload and intensity in collegiate play
2. Approaching the multi-position dilemma when attending an ID camp
3. The reality of the recruitment timeline for girls vs boys

?? For incoming freshmen, what do you think they underestimate the most?

• The workload. There is no way to really understand what the workload is like until you get there. So you’re meant to be in competition six days a week, with one day off, but with that day off you have to take it very seriously as a student athlete. Rest + recover, eat right, watch film, and obviously you’ve got to focus on your classes as well. When you’re in-season and traveling, that’s an added measure of time management. Your away trips are much more involved than they were in club or high school soccer.
• The intensity. Now everyone’s there for a reason—one common goal—and that’s to win. Before on your club or HS team, not everyone there was on the same level of seriousness. Not every player has the aspiration. Once you’re in college, everyone is there to play.
• Players that you’re playing against might be a lot older. As an incoming 18-year-old, you’re competing with up to 22, 23-year-olds, so the level is much higher. At the same time, every year new incoming freshmen are brought in to potentially replace you or increase your level of play from someone who can compete with you. It's one thing to fight for your position during your first year, and it's another to keep it.

It’s also not said enough, but you have to remember that this is your coach’s livelihood. They might have spouses, kids, they’re involved in the community. So they have a big need to win, and to stay in the same place without fear of being uprooted to a new school. This just means the level of expectation is higher.

?? Some players have a versatility to compete in different positions, how do they approach an ID camp showcasing their best attributes?

I think your most recent experience is important. Whatever position is best for you on your current team is a good place to start. Also keeping in mind what position you truly enjoy. You have to be able to translate what you’re good at but also where you find joy, and hopefully they’re the same position. If you can prepare yourself with what you feel is your primary role, keep in mind a secondary role that can give you the best all-around chance at being recruited.

If you don’t know your best position, you can try to get experience in different places among your team but also just ask your coach. In the end, you have to enjoy where you’re at.

?? What advice do you have for parents in their preparation?

1. Be realistic on your financial situation.
2. Understand that academics should be priority when setting up your student athlete for the next level. It shouldn't just be about soccer. A coach I used to work with always said, “We put you in position to succeed for the next four years, so that you can be successful for the next 40 years.”
3. Let the player steer the bus. Give them the freedom to look into what they want to study, where they’d like to end up, what they don’t want from a school. Of course they may need some guidance from your own experience. While going in undecided isn’t a bad scenario, having an idea of the pathway they want is a better goal.

?? What is the timeline like for players, even in underclassman levels?

• As a Freshman first entering high school or club, that’s your time to truly enjoy it. You might not know if you’re serious about soccer yet. But the four years will go quickly, so by Sophomore year you should have an idea how you feel about it. Some players will know sooner, so then absolutely go at it 100%.
• Sophomore year you should strongly consider if you’re interested or not. Take a look at how you measure up amongst your team.
• For girls, the timeline does start a bit sooner. The summer before your Junior year, coaches can start contacting you once it hits June 15. It’s possible to be committed at the beginning of your Junior year.
• For the boys, as you enter your Junior year I’d start looking at the opportunity to play. Now the upper echelon of players may be starting sooner if they’re being recruited, but you typically can even be recruited in your Senior year.

Ultimately, there is a university soccer program for everyone. Understanding that not everyone can play at the likes of UCLA, Clemson, ND, Akron… but there are other levels and environments that may suit you better as a student athlete depending on your future goals. And those goals may not involve soccer beyond college. I feel like players get obsessed with the idea of D1 or bust. In most cases, if you’re good enough to play D1, the coaches will come after you. Just keep in mind the environment of the program, the school, the location, and the level that is suitable for you. Remember that there is always the possibility of joining a D1 program after a year or two at DII. But ultimately it’s not for everyone.

Want more advice and assistance on your players being recruited to a collegiate program? Check out Sports Recruiting USA or reach out to Rhys Cannella on instagram (coachcannella17).

?? On our Ultrain App → In addition to advice and exclusive interviews, you can use our app for your upcoming season to manage, communicate and facilitate your team all in one place. Thank you for reading and subscribing ?