The college football recruiting process can be as exciting as it is stressful, not only for high school players but also for their parents. Parents play a crucial role in supporting their athlete’s dreams, but their involvement must strike the right balance. Too much or too little parental involvement can either pave the way for success or create unnecessary obstacles. Let’s dive into how parents can help—and hurt—the recruiting process, so you can best support your athlete in achieving their goals.

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How Parents Can Help the Recruiting Process

1. Be Supportive, Not Overbearing

One of the most important roles parents play is being a source of encouragement. The recruiting process can be grueling for athletes, with countless hours of training, academics, and communication with college coaches. Your support helps keep them motivated and focused.

• How to Help: Be a positive presence. Celebrate their successes and provide constructive feedback without being overly critical. Understand that rejection from certain schools is part of the process and encourage them to keep pushing forward.
• Avoid This: Don’t pressure your athlete into pursuing schools or programs they’re not passionate about. The decision should ultimately be theirs.

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2. Educate Yourself About the Recruiting Process

The recruiting process involves a lot of moving parts, including NCAA rules, eligibility requirements, recruiting calendars, and the role of highlight videos and showcases. Parents who educate themselves on these topics can provide invaluable guidance.

• How to Help: Learn the basics of the NCAA recruiting rules, such as contact periods, scholarship limits, and the importance of registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center. This knowledge can help your athlete avoid mistakes and stay on track.
• Avoid This: Don’t assume you know everything or try to handle the entire process yourself. Collaborate with your athlete and let them take the lead.

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3. Provide Financial and Logistical Support

Let’s face it—the recruiting process can be costly and time-consuming. Camps, showcases, travel expenses, and even creating professional highlight reels can add up. Parents can help by providing the necessary resources to ensure their athlete has access to these opportunities.

• How to Help: Assist with transportation to camps and events, help cover the costs when possible, and manage schedules to ensure your athlete can attend important showcases or unofficial visits.
• Avoid This: Don’t overspend or go into debt trying to fund every camp and showcase. Focus on events that align with your athlete’s skill level and college goals.

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4. Foster Good Communication Skills

College coaches want to hear directly from the athletes, not just their parents. That said, parents can play a vital role in helping their child develop strong communication skills that leave a good impression.

• How to Help: Practice email and phone etiquette with your athlete. Role-play conversations with college coaches so they feel confident and prepared when it’s time to communicate.
• Avoid This: Don’t speak for your athlete during calls, emails, or in-person visits. Coaches are recruiting your child, not you, and they want to see how well your athlete can communicate independently.

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5. Keep Academics a Priority

No matter how talented an athlete is, academics play a significant role in the recruiting process. Coaches are looking for players who meet the academic standards of their school and who won’t jeopardize eligibility.

• How to Help: Encourage strong study habits, keep track of your athlete’s GPA, and ensure they meet core course requirements for eligibility. If necessary, help them find tutors or academic support.
• Avoid This: Don’t make excuses for poor grades or allow your athlete to neglect academics in favor of athletics. Both are equally important.