Test everything, so you can be wrong and still get results
Hard truth
Most of the time, we’re going to be wrong in our talent evaluation. This is expected, and it’s not a problem. We’re going to let the market (college coaches) decide what types of schools we should be reaching out to. We need to build a margin for error so we can be wrong about our talent evaluation and still get results.
Email a range of schools
We’re going to email schools at every level, then evaluate the types of schools that we’re getting responses from.
There’s no harm in reaching for a top-tier school, but we’re not going to rely on it.
That’s playing the lottery — and we don’t do that here.
Benefit of schools below your level
More likely to respond
Safety net
Fun to be the big man on campus
More scholarship $$
Best fit
If you’re getting excessive responses at or below your skill level, readjust your course.
Example
You think you’re a D2 caliber player.
You email schools at every level
You get 3 responses from D1 schools
Congrats! Looks like you can start to email more D1 schools. You may have undervalued yourself.
Example
You think you’re a D1 caliber player.
You email schools at every level
You get 0 responses from D1 schools
You get 5 responses from D2 schools
Congrats! You’ve built a safety net, so you’re still making progress in the recruiting process.
You can continue to reach out to D1 schools, but most of your effort should be spent on D2 schools now. If you get excessive responses from D2 schools, you can bump up the amount of D1 schools that you email.
Jack, why don’t I just email every school in the country at all levels?
This would be ideal
But remember, we’re not doing “email blasts.” Each email will be personalized to a specific coach and program, so this is likely impossible due to time constraints.
Instead, we target schools that are more likely to need your position and respond to your email — that way, you’re getting the same effect of emailing every single school in the country without the time investment.
Start with 40 schools:
8 schools above your skill level
20 schools at your skill level
12 schools below your skill level
You’ll likely end up sending more than 40 emails in your recruiting process, but 40 is a good start.
Don’t get overwhelmed, just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
“Temporary defeat does not mean permanent failure.”
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