What Does “Recruitable” Really Mean?

Dear Coach Bryant:

My daughter really wants to play her sport in college, but we’re not sure if she’s actually recruitable. She’s a good player, but she doesn’t get the same attention or recognition as some of the other girls. She loves her sport and wants to keep playing, and we want to support her if that’s something she can reasonably pursue in college. We see other families confidently talking about recruiting, while we’re quietly wondering if playing in college is actually an option for her.

Wondering in Washington

Dear Wondering:

This question comes up in almost every conversation I have with families, and it usually comes from a place of anxiety and comparison. Parents are looking around, watching other kids get attention, and wondering what that means for their own child. So let me reframe the question parents should be asking. When you strip away the noise, the question isn’t “Is my child recruitable?” It’s “Is my child recruitable at the schools they want to attend?”

Recruitability Is Not Universal

There is no single definition of recruitable. It’s not a yes-or-no label that applies across all colleges and all levels. Recruitability is always relative to the program, the coach, and the roster needs of a specific school. A player who isn’t a fit for one program may be a strong recruit for another. Until you know which schools you’re talking about, the question itself is incomplete.

Start With the Whole Student

Before worrying about athletic level, families need to step back and look at the bigger picture. What type of academic environment fits your child? What kind of campus culture will they enjoy? Do they want to be close to home or far away? Urban or rural? Big or small? When you answer those questions first, you’re not limiting options—you’re focusing them. Athletics should be layered on top of those priorities, not used to override them.

Match the Level to the List

Once you have a college list built on academic, social, and geographic fit, the recruiting picture becomes much clearer. Now you can ask the right question: does my child’s current level align with the athletic level of these schools? If the answer is yes, then your child is recruitable there. If the answer is no, that doesn’t mean the journey is over—it means expectations or the school list may need adjusting. And if your child simply wants to play in college and is flexible about where, there are almost always options when families are open to a wider range of schools and levels.

Once the Right Fit Is Identified

And identifying those schools is just the starting point. Once a student knows which schools are a realistic athletic fit, the work begins: reaching out to coaches, advocating for themselves, and continuing to develop on and off the field. Being recruitable at the schools they want to attend opens the door, but it doesn’t guarantee a roster spot or a commitment—it takes initiative, follow-through, and sustained effort over time.

The Reality

The reality is that every athlete is recruitable—just not at every school. Recruitability isn’t a judgment of an athlete’s worth or potential; it’s an assessment of fit. When families focus on finding the right schools—and set realistic expectations about level—the recruiting process opens up far more possibilities than most initially think is possible.

Best,

Amy