Why Starting at NJCAA Could Be One of the Best Moves for Your College Soccer Journey

primusmarketing1
Nov 20
4 min read

We’re at a time of year when a lot of Primus athletes who started at NJCAA (junior college) are genuinely reaping the rewards. Whether they stayed for one year or the full two, many are now much more recruitable by four-year programs.

Take Jake, for example: when he graduated from high school, a four-year scholarship just wasn’t realistic at the time so he went to a top NJCAA school in Wyoming.

Year 1: He adapted. He learned the speed, physicality, and structure of American college soccer.
Year 2: He exploded. He became the top scorer on his team, made the All-Conference XI First Team, and was widely recognised as a standout.
Now: He has offers from top nationally ranked NCAA Division I, Division II, and NAIA programs, options he likely wouldn’t have had without taking the JUCO route.

If you’re wondering whether NJCAA is “just for backups,” Jake’s story should make you think again.

🇺🇸 What Is the NJCAA?

The NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) is the governing body for two-year colleges in the U.S. These schools are often called:

Junior colleges
Community colleges
Two-year colleges

And they come with several major advantages:

Smaller campuses
Smaller class sizes
Smaller squads
Lower cost
More playing time
Easier transition into American academic & athletic life

For many players, it’s the perfect launchpad for their college career.

Key Benefits of Starting at NJCAA

Here’s why more and more recruits are seriously considering this route:

Immediate Playing Time At many NJCAA programs, you’ll have a real shot to start or get meaningful minutes. That experience is gold when you're looking to make the jump to a 4-year school.
Academic Flexibility Entry requirements are often more flexible than at big four-year universities. This gives you time to build your grades, adjust to the U.S. academic system, and prove you can handle college-level work.
Smaller Classes + More Support Two-year colleges tend to have smaller class sizes, meaning more access to professors and support. It’s easier to stay on top of your academics while training hard.
Development as a Stepping Stone Use your time at JUCO to get stronger, faster, and tactically sharper. Coaches at four-year programs love players who are proven contributors and showed they can balance the football, academics & being away from home.
Cost Advantage Junior college can be significantly cheaper than a four-year university for the first two years, allowing you to save money while still competing at a high level.

⚠️ The HUGE New Development: NJCAA Eligibility Does Not Count Toward NCAA Eligibility

This is the game-changer no one is talking enough about.

A recent court case ruling has confirmed that NJCAA eligibility does NOT count against NCAA eligibility, meaning:

You can now play:

2 years at NJCAA, then
4 years at NCAA

Yes, that’s six years of college soccer if managed correctly.

This dramatically changes the pathway:

It gives players:

More time to develop
More chances to be seen
More flexibility
More years of growth as an athlete
More opportunities to transfer upward
More time to recover from injuries or setbacks
More years of education and scholarship funding

For athletes, this is MASSIVE. Instead of feeling rushed to earn offers straight out of high school, they can build slowly, develop properly, and still enjoy a long college career.

This ruling could reshape U.S. college soccer:

It encourages more players to choose NJCAA
It could balance out competitive levels
It gives late bloomers a real pathway
It offers more recruiting opportunities for 4-year coaches
It reduces pressure on 18-year-olds to be “college-ready” immediately

For athletes also wanting to do a masters degree, this is a gift.

Additional Things to Consider (Honest Pros & Cons)

✔ Pros:

More playing time
Lower cost
Easier academic transition
Easier athletic transition
More scholarship chances when transferring
Less pressure at 18
Now more eligibility than ever

✖ Cons:

Must transfer after 1–2 years
Requires academic focus to stay eligible
Some NJCAA programs vary in professionalism & facilities compared to 4 year schools.
Requires stronger personal discipline (fewer “systems” than big universities)

But for the right athlete?It’s an incredible pathway.

Final Thoughts: NJCAA Isn’t a Step Back — It’s a Smart Strategy

There is no correct or incorrect route in U.S. college soccer. You do not have to start at NJCAA, but you also shouldn’t rule it out .

NJCAA isn’t a downgrade. It’s not a fallback. It’s not “less than.”

Today, with the eligibility ruling, improved facilities, stronger competition, and the proven track record of players like Jake…

NJCAA has become one of the most powerful developmental tools in U.S. college soccer.

And for the right player? It can be the exact opportunity that changes everything.

👉 If you want help exploring the JUCO route, building your highlight tape, or mapping out your transfer plan — reach out to Primus Sports Partners. We’ve helped players like Jake make this journey, and we can help you too.