Recruiting Insights & Tips

TNS Blog

Expert advice, recruiting strategies, and success stories to help athletes navigate their college sports journey

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Featured

Size & Strength in Athletic Recruiting: How Every Athlete Can Stand Out

The honest truth about size and strength in college recruiting—plus proven strategies that help athletes of every build maximize their potential across all sports. Learn from real success stories and get an actionable plan to stand out.

Jan 7, 2025 12 min read
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NEW
Jan 12, 2025 16 min read
Tips & Recruiting Truth

Myths vs Reality in College Recruiting: The Honest Truth Every Student-Athlete Needs to Know

Debunking the biggest myths in college sports recruiting with raw, honest truth. Learn what really matters to college coaches, the reality of athletic scholarships, recruiting timelines, walk-on opportunities, NCAA eligibility, social media impact, and more. Stop wasting time on misconceptions and focus on what actually gets you recruited.

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International
Nov 20, 2025 18 min

How International Student-Athletes Actually Get Recruited: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how international athletes get recruited to US colleges. Complete guide covering NCAA eligibility, highlight videos, coach contact, and scholarships for athletes from Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, Africa, and South America.

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Scholarships
Nov 14, 2025 15 min

Ultimate Guide to Grants & Scholarships for International Student-Athletes

Complete guide covering athletic scholarships, academic aid, external funding sources, early preparation strategies (ages 14-18), application tips, and common mistakes to avoid. Learn how to maximize your scholarship potential and fund your dream of competing in the USA.

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Parents
Nov 27, 2025 20 min

International Parent's Guide to College Sports Recruiting: How to Actually Help Your Child

Complete guide for international parents navigating U.S. college sports recruiting. Learn the right way to support your child, avoid costly mistakes, understand NCAA eligibility, scholarship realities, visa requirements, and financial planning. Expert guidance for families worldwide.

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Social Media
Dec 4, 2025 8 min

The Power of Social Media in Your College Recruitment Journey

Master social media for athletic recruitment. Learn the do's and don'ts, platform-specific strategies for Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, plus real examples of what works and what doesn't. Essential guide for student-athletes looking to get noticed by college coaches.

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Tips
Jan 7, 2025 12 min

Size & Strength in Athletic Recruiting: How Every Athlete Can Stand Out

The truth about size and strength in college recruiting—and the proven strategies that help athletes of every build maximize their potential and catch coaches' attention. Learn sport-specific tactics and success stories from undersized athletes who made it.

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Soccer
Oct 12, 2025 5 min

How to Create a Standout Soccer Recruiting Video

Learn what college soccer coaches want to see in your highlight reel, from the optimal video length (3-5 minutes) to showcasing technical skills, game awareness, and positioning. Includes tips on filming angles, editing software, and what not to include.

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Basketball
Oct 10, 2025 6 min

NCAA Basketball Recruiting Timeline: What You Need to Know

Navigate the complex NCAA basketball recruiting calendar with key dates for official visits, early signing periods, and contact rules. Understand when coaches can reach out by division level and how to time your recruitment efforts for maximum impact.

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Tips
Oct 8, 2025 7 min

Building Your Athletic Resume: A Complete Guide

Create a professional athletic resume that impresses college coaches. Learn what to include: stats, awards, academic achievements, contact info, coach references, and tournament highlights. Download our free template and see real examples from recruited athletes.

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Hockey
Oct 5, 2025 5 min

How to Reach Out to College Hockey Coaches

Master the art of emailing college hockey coaches with proven templates and subject lines that get opened. Learn when to make first contact, what to include in your introduction, how to follow up professionally, and common mistakes to avoid in your outreach.

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Scholarships
Oct 3, 2025 9 min

Understanding Athletic Scholarships: NCAA, NAIA & JUCO

Compare scholarship opportunities across NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, and JUCO programs. Understand equivalency vs. head-count scholarships, partial vs. full rides, academic requirements, and how to maximize your financial aid package through athletic and academic scholarships combined.

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Baseball
Oct 1, 2025 6 min

Baseball Recruiting: Showcases vs. Camps - Which is Better?

Decide between attending showcases or prospect camps for baseball recruiting. Compare costs, exposure opportunities, coaching interaction, and ROI. Learn which events attract the most college scouts and how to choose the right events based on your position, skill level, and target schools.

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Tips
Sep 28, 2025 7 min

A Day in the Life of a College Athlete

What international student-athletes can expect from their daily schedule balancing academics, athletics, and social life. Learn about early morning workouts, class schedules, practice sessions, study halls, and time management strategies that successful college athletes use.

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Training
Sep 25, 2025 6 min

Strength Training for Student-Athletes

Why weight training and strength conditioning are essential for international student-athletes looking to compete at the college level. Learn about periodization, injury prevention, sport-specific training, and how to develop a strength program that complements your sport.

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Academics
Sep 22, 2025 8 min

GPA vs. Standardized Testing for International Athletes

A comprehensive guide for international student-athletes comparing the importance of GPA versus standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) in college recruitment and admissions. Understand NCAA eligibility requirements and how to balance both academic metrics.

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Football
Sep 20, 2025 7 min

Breaking Down Football Position Groups: What Coaches Look For

Understand what college football coaches evaluate for each position group - from quarterbacks and offensive linemen to defensive backs and special teams. Learn the key metrics, physical attributes, and skills that make players stand out at each position during the recruiting process.

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Volleyball
Sep 18, 2025 6 min

Volleyball Recruiting: Club vs. High School - Which Matters More?

Discover why club volleyball often carries more weight in college recruiting than high school play. Learn about tournament exposure, club team rankings, playing up in age groups, and how to balance both commitments while maximizing your recruiting opportunities.

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Track & Field
Sep 15, 2025 7 min

Track & Field Recruiting: Times, Marks, and Standards

Navigate the recruiting standards for track and field events across different college divisions. Understand qualifying times for sprints, distance events, hurdles, and field event marks that attract college coaches' attention. Includes benchmarks for NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO programs.

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Tennis
Oct 28, 2025 15 min

Complete International Tennis Recruiting Guide: UTR, Rankings & Scholarships

Everything international tennis players need to know about college recruiting in the USA. Learn about UTR ratings, ITF/ATP/WTA rankings, NCAA eligibility, F-1 visa requirements, scholarship opportunities across divisions, and the complete step-by-step recruiting process.

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Tips
Nov 5, 2025 10 min

10 Essential Tips for Getting Recruited to Play College Sports

Complete guide with 10 essential tips for getting recruited to play college sports, including insider strategies for student-athletes. Learn how to stand out from the competition and maximize your recruiting opportunities.

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