Common Mistakes in the College Soccer Recruitment Process

The college soccer recruitment process can be confusing, overwhelming, and full of noise — especially with so many platforms, people, and promises in the mix. Whether you're a player based in the U.S. or coming from overseas, one wrong move can delay or even derail your college dream.

In this blog, we break down the most common mistakes athletes make during recruitment — with sections for domestic and international players — and how to avoid them.

Because no matter where you’re from, success in this process starts with clear goals, smart planning, and a realistic mindset.

🇺🇸 Common Mistakes for U.S.-Based Athletes

For domestic players, exposure isn’t the issue — but strategy is. And too many are still relying on an outdated approach.

❌ Thinking the Traditional Process Is Enough

Years ago, the typical route — email a few coaches, attend some ID camps, show well at ECNL showcases, etc — could get you a handful of offers. Today? That’s not enough.

College soccer is more competitive than ever. There are thousands of players from across the U.S. and around the world all fighting for the same roster spots.

👉 Soccer isn’t American football or baseball. U.S. players don’t dominate the global pool. Coaches are scouting from the UK, Spain, Africa, South America, and beyond. That means you have to stand out with a personalized, global-minded approach — the exact model we use at Primus.

❌ Waiting Too Long to Start

Many players wait until their junior or senior year to begin the process. But college coaches — especially at the NCAA D1 and D2 level — are locking in players 12–24 months out.

👉 Start early. Build your profile, create your video, and begin outreach in 9th or 10th grade, not your senior year.

❌ Generic Highlight Tapes

Coaches receive dozens of highlight reels per week. If your video is long, hard to follow, or doesn’t showcase your strengths, you’ll be overlooked.

👉 Your tape should be 2–4 minutes, show position-specific moments, and include clear labeling. Need help?🎥 Watch our full video on how to create the perfect highlight reel: How to Make a Soccer Highlight Tape

❌ Poor or No Outreach

Sending mass emails? Copy-paste messages? Or just hoping to be discovered? That’s not how this works anymore.

👉 Coaches expect personalized outreach that mentions their school, program, and why you're a good fit. Lazy messaging is a red flag.

❌ Only Focusing on NCAA D1

Not all D1 programs are elite. In fact, many D2 and NAIA schools outperform mid-tier D1 teams — and might offer better academics, playing time, or scholarships.

👉 Read our blog breaking down all the governing bodies — College Soccer Pathways: NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA & More — and remember: D1 doesn't mean “best.” It’s about the right fit, not just the right name.

🌍 Common Mistakes for International Athletes

International players face different obstacles — from paperwork and visas to culture shock and misunderstanding the system. Here’s what we see most often:

❌ Underestimating the Timeline

Between getting a visa, applying to schools, clearing eligibility, and confirming scholarships, you need time — a lot of it.

👉 Start the process 12–18 months in advance to avoid last-minute scrambles or missed opportunities.

❌ Not Understanding the Levels

Many international players think U.S. college soccer means big stadiums, TV coverage, and pro-level environments — but that’s only the top 5–10% of programs.

👉 Learn about the different levels: NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA, NJCAA, USPORT (Canada), and CCAA (Canada).🎯 Not sure what they mean? We break it all down here: College Soccer Pathways Blog

❌ Relying 100% on an Agent

Too many players think an agency will just “get them placed” while they sit back. That’s a mistake.

👉 A good agency should communicate often, involve you in every step, and explain your options clearly. But you need to reply quickly, stay engaged, and be part of the process — or you risk losing out on offers simply by taking too long to respond.

❌ Judging a School TOO SOON

Don’t dismiss a school just because the website looks outdated or the soccer pitch isn’t a stadium.

👉 What matters is: Will you play? Will you grow? Will the academics suit you? Many players start at smaller or less “glamorous” schools and transfer to bigger ones later. Where you start doesn't define where you finish.

❌ Unrealistic Scholarship Expectations

Not every school offers full scholarships — especially not up front and in year 1. Athletic aid is often stacked with academic or financial aid.

👉 Be open-minded. A 60% scholarship at a strong NAIA school might go further than a 20% scholarship at a low D1 with no support.

🎯 The Most Common Mistake of All? Unrealistic Expectations

Domestic or international — this applies to both.

• Thinking your highlight tape alone will get you offers

• Believing every D1 team plays like a pro academy

• Underestimating the academic or time demands

• Expecting a full ride without any research or planning

👉 The U.S. college soccer system is incredible — but only if you understand it, prepare for it, and stay realistic.

✅ How to Get It Right

At Primus, we guide athletes through a modern, personalized recruitment process that reflects the current college landscape — not one from five years ago.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Start early and stay consistent

• Be realistic and open to multiple levels

• Engage in your own recruitment — don’t just wait

• Focus on the full fit — playing time, academics, culture

• Use trusted support that actually knows how to help
  

⚽ Ready to Avoid These Mistakes?

Whether you’re messaging your first coach or already narrowing down offers, we’ll help you make smarter decisions from day one.

👉 Work with Primus — and build your future the right way.