Welcome to our essential weekly blog series on college recruitment! Whether you're just beginning your journey or are already deep into the process, this series is designed with you in mind. We'll delve into crucial topics like crafting an impressive highlight video, developing a strategic college list, and mastering the art of securing scholarships. Regardless of where you stand, our series is filled with essential tips and guidance to propel you towards success. Join us every week as we equip you with the insights and tools necessary to confidently navigate the recruitment landscape. 

In Today’s Edition

• One of these 5 Steps Is Destroying Your Recruiting Efforts? Fix it Now!

• Female Class of 2027 Northeast Commitment Update!

• Girls' Connecticut Winter Showcase Opportunity!

One of these 5 Steps Is Destroying Your Recruiting Efforts? Fix it Now!

Has Your Recruiting Journey Stalled? Or Are You Just Starting Out?

Recruiting is tough. Whether you're stuck or just getting started, nailing these five steps is non-negotiable. No fluff, no BS—just actionable advice to get you results. If you're not doing these right, you're wasting time. Let’s fix that!

Stop guessing—start doing. Recruiting isn’t about luck; it’s about smart, focused actions. Here’s what works:

1. How Good Is Your Highlight Tape? Be Honest.

Your highlight tape is your first impression. If it’s weak, you’re out. If it’s sharp, you’re in.

• Are you showing only your best plays? Cut the filler. No celebrations!

• Is it short—3 to 5 minutes max?

• Does it lead with your best moments? Hook them in the first 30 seconds or it’s over.

• Is your info (name, grad year, position, number, contact) right up front?

• Can’t edit? Get someone who can. Bad video = bad impression.

Not sure if your video works? We can check it or fix it.

2. Are You Targeting the Right Schools?

Stop chasing schools that don’t fit. Be real—are you D1 material, or is another level a better match?

• Have you gotten honest feedback from coaches?

• Have you watched games at each level to understand what’s realistic?

• Have you researched schools for athletic, academic, and personal fit?

• Do you have a list of 20–30 schools: reach, target, and safe options?

Overwhelmed? Need help finding your level? The wrong school list can ruin your journey.

3. Is Your Online Presence Helping or Hurting You?

Coaches will look you up. Don’t give them a reason to toss your email.

• Are you posting highlights, training, and academic wins—not parties or drama?

• Have you cleaned up old posts that could hurt you?

• Are you tagging schools and coaches on relevant content?

• Are you staying active and professional? If you wouldn’t say it to a coach, don’t post it.

Not sure about your accounts? Get a quick audit or tune-up.

4. Are You Reaching Out to Coaches the Right Way?

Sitting around won’t get you noticed. Generic emails won’t, either.

• Are you emailing coaches directly, using their name, and mentioning something specific about their program?

• Are you including everything in one place: highlight link, stats, GPA, accomplishments, and contact info?

• Are you following up a week or two later? One email isn’t enough.

Still blasting copy-paste emails or not sure what to say? We can help with your message.

5. Are You Attending the Right Events?

ID clinics and showcases cost time and money. Go to the wrong ones, and you’re wasting it.

• Are you only attending events where your target coaches will be?

• Are you emailing coaches before the event to tell them where you’ll be and your number?

• Are you prepping like it’s an interview? Hustling, showing up early, and giving full effort every rep?

Not sure which events work for you? Use our resources to sort out your calendar.

No fluff. No excuses. Nail these five steps and move forward. Get one wrong, and you might stay stuck.

Not sure you’ve got it handled? Let’s fix one—for FREE.

Spend 5 minutes on our questionnaire so we can pinpoint what you need. Once done, we’ll email you to find out which area you want help with—for FREE! Whether it’s your highlight tape, school list, intro email, social media, or event schedule, we’ll tackle one thing and deliver results. No fluff, just action!

Female Class of 2027 Northeast Commitment Update!

54 Northeast schools now have verbal commitments for the Class of 2027, with Albany making an announcement this week. That leaves just 13 schools in the region with zero public commitments—though 3 of those have already brought in transfers.

Here’s the reality: rosters at these 54 schools are already 50% full. Spots are disappearing fast.

No BS Advice:

Don’t waste your time or money on camps and clinics without doing your homework. Make sure the schools you’re targeting actually have room for you and align with your goals.
We advise against attending any ID clinic for a school in green unless you’ve had a detailed conversation with the coach and received their approval to attend.

Be smart. Be strategic!

#NoBS

⚽ New Connecticut Showcase Opportunities For Girls This Winter!

I’ve teamed up with XG Sports to bring you an exclusive deal for their premier event in Connecticut this winter. As a reader of our newsletter, you can use the code SCN50 to get $50 off your registration!

Important!

If you’re registering for the event, please send me a quick email ([email protected]), and we can work together to invite more coaches from your ‘recruiting list.’ We’ll send coaches alerts that you’re playing and extend an invitation for them to attend.

This opportunity is open to all readers of this newsletter—don’t miss out!

📅 Event Details & Registration
👉 Register for The Event Here

Girls Event: February 7th

👩‍🎓 Girls Registered Coaches

• NY/NJ Gotham FC (NWSL)

• Providence College

• Boston University

• UCONN

• Fordham

• University of Rhode Island

• Yale University

• Fairfield University

• University of New Hampshire

• Quinnipiac University

• CCSU

• Le Moyne College

• Southern New Hampshire

• Southern Connecticut State University

• Wesleyan University

• Bay Path University

• Smith College

• West Conn

• Mount Holyoke

• Clarkson University

• Elms College

• Bard

• Lesley University

• Wellesley College

• Dean College

• Marywood University

• Emmanuel College

• Stevens Institute of Technology

⚽ Enjoying This Newsletter? Don’t Miss Our Daily Community Edition!

Sign up for our daily version now before it transitions to a paid version!
Every day, we share recruiting tips, commitment updates, and news on coaching hires and firings in the college game. Don’t miss out—join our free soccer community today!

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Your Go-To Websites/Social Media Leaders

• Steve Coxon Soccer Network on You Tube - Click Here

• Join our FREE Soccer Scholarship Community and connect with like-minded players and parents navigating the same path “The Recruiting Hub” - Click Here

• Soccer Spotlight Video, run by ex-D1 player Jack Burridge, can turn your full-game footage or specific timestamps into polished highlight videos (Mention The Steve Coxon Network to receive 10% off your next order)- Click Here

• 2024 Men's NCAA Division 1 Soccer Tournament Bracket - Click Here

• 2024 Women's NCAA Division 1 Soccer Tournament Bracket - Click Here

• RPI - Check out the Women's College Soccer RPI by clicking this link.

• RPI - Check out the Men's College Soccer RPI by clicking this link.

• NCAA Eligibility Center - Click Here 

• United Soccer Coaches - Awards and Rankings 

• Twitter/X - @Imyouthsoccer

• Twitter/X - @ImCollegesoccer

• Exclusive Insights from College Coaches on the Recruiting Process - https://discovercollegesoccer.com/schools/

• The Informed Athlete - Helping student-athletes excel in sports and academics while navigating eligibility rules - Click Here

About: Steve Coxon College Soccer Network

Steve has 20 years of college-level experience, 17+ years in D1 as the Head Recruiter. He has facilitated more than $30 million in college scholarships.

Location - Connecticut, USA