“How do I know what level my athlete can realistically compete at?”
The Short Answer: You believe in your child, and you see the work they put in. But believing in your athlete and realistically evaluating their college opportunities are two different things. Use objective evidence—currentcollege rosters, conference marks, game film, and improvement trends—to target the right tiers.
Our daughter’s recruiting journey eventually moved from soccer to track and field. During her junior year, she competed at the Mt. SAC regional meet and won her event. For the first time, we thought: Maybe this isn’t just a dream. Maybe she really can compete in college. That did not mean we assumed every college would want her. It meant we had objective evidence that made the goal worth pursuing seriously.
Believe in Your Athlete—But Don’t Confuse Two Different Statements
One of the most common mistakes families make is confusing “My child can compete in college” with “My child can compete at every college.” Those are two completely different statements.
To build an honest evaluation using Worksheet 2 (Athlete Self-Assessment), look at the evidence college coaches actually use:
- For Measurable Sports (Track & Field, Cross Country, Swimming, Golf, Rowing): Look up the conference championship results and current roster marks (on TFRRS, SwimCloud, etc.) for the schools on your list. Would your athlete’s current mark—or realistic senior-year projection—score in that conference or make the travel squad?
- For Game & Tactical Sports (Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, Football, Lacrosse): Compare your athlete’s speed of play, physical measurables, position-specific skills, and competition level (ECNL/GA/MLS NEXT, high-level AAU, varsity all-state/all-conference) against freshmen and sophomores currently getting minutes on those rosters.
- Look for the Trend (Late Bloomers Matter): Do not assume an athlete’s sophomore mark is their ceiling. Some athletes grow later, switch sports (like our daughter moving from soccer to track & field), or make major jumps in their junior or senior year.
Not every athlete will play Division I. That is not failure. There are tremendous competitive and academic opportunities across NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and JUCO.
Use objective data to guide your recruiting strategy—but do not let one number or one coach’s opinion define your athlete.
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Companion Printable Sheet: Worksheet 2: Athlete Self-Assessment (Page 13 of Playbook / Page 3 of Workbook)
Chapter 02 Frequently Asked Questions
How do I compare my track or swim athlete to college rosters?
Look up a target college's current season performances and conference meet results. Check where your athlete's current personal best would rank among the team's freshmen and sophomores, and whether it approaches the top 16–24 in their conference.
What if my athlete is a late bloomer in junior or senior year?
Late bloomers get recruited every year, especially when they document their rapid improvement trend and cast a wide net across D1, D2, D3, and NAIA programs whose recruiting classes aren't full.
Helpful Family Recruiting Gear for Chapter 2
Student-Athlete Recruiting Organizer Binder & Tab Dividers
Keep printed Playbook worksheets, school lists, and campus visit scorecards organized in one place.
Smartphone Tripod for Recruiting Videos & Training Clips
Capture steady, coach-ready game and training footage without camera shake.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, CollegeRecruitingPlaybook.com earns from qualifying purchases (`tag=neccalchub-20`). We only recommend practical gear families actually use during filming, travel, and campus visits.