Steve Coxon College Soccer Network
Steve Coxon > CT Soccer Hall of Fame | 18-Year D1 Head Recruiter | $30M+ in Scholarships Facilitated
12 Days Until the NCAA Roster Vote (The 28-Player Trap)
Morning folks,
I’ve been banging this drum for few weeks, and some people thought I was just being an alarmist. Well, the receipts are officially in.
A current D1 Associate Head Coach—Marsha Lycan from William & Mary—just went public on Twitter, and she isn’t pulling any punches. The NCAA is set to vote on this new 5-Year Eligibility Model on May 22nd, and if it passes (which she says is likely), the ground is going to shift for every '27 and '28 recruit in the country.
Here is exactly what Coach Lycan posted:
"I still think there are a lot of unanswered questions and fallout that have not been thoroughly analyzed given the speed at which this has come to pass... I’ve sent my two cents... and expect it will fall on deaf ears but at least I’ve got my anticipated concerns documented when they become reality."
Why should you care?
If this passes on the 22nd, it means every college player gets 5 years of eligibility. Sounds great for them, right? It’s a nightmare for you.
Here is the "Devastating Math" I’ve been warning you about:
The 28-Player Trap: Most sports have 38+ roster spots. D1 Soccer is capped at 28.
The Logjam: If seniors stay for a 5th year, and the cap stays at 28, someone has to go.
The Casualty: That "someone" is usually the incoming recruit or the "project" player who hasn't proved themselves yet.
Coaches are being forced to make "difficult roster decisions" right now just to make the numbers work. As Marsha said, this is happening at a speed that hasn't been analyzed.
The Game has Changed.
Stop acting like a verbal commitment is a guaranteed ticket. In this environment, it’s just the start of the fight to prove you are indispensable to a 28-man roster.
What you need to do right now:
Voice your concern: If you want to send your "two cents" to the NCAA before the May 22nd vote, the email is
[email protected].Get the Blueprint: You cannot navigate 2026-2028 recruiting with a 2019 mindset. It’s over.
The vote is in 12 days. You can stay in denial, or you can learn how to win the new version of this game.
Here is Coach Lycan’s letter to the NCAA:
See you in the community.
Steve Coxon College Soccer Network
The Bottom Line
The entrance for high schoolers just got smaller. If you don't have a plan to prove you are "Day 1 Ready," you’ll be replaced by someone four years older than you.
Join the Skool community today and get the new map before you spend another year chasing a ghost roster!
Stop donating. Start recruiting!
Endorsement from your Club Coach or Director of Coaching (DOC)
Some of you are missing a massive piece of the puzzle on your recruiting profiles—something that carries more weight with college coaches than almost anything else you've got.
You can have the best highlight film in the world, but at the end of the day, college recruiters want to hear from the people who see you compete, lead, and train every single day. When a coach sees a direct endorsement from your Club Coach or Director of Coaching (DOC), it changes the conversation instantly.
They want to hear from a professional they know and trust.
I need you to get a 3-4 sentence quote from your current Coach or DOC and and add it to your player profile and outreach letter.
Please make sure it includes:
The Quote: (3-4 lines about your work ethic, technical ability, or character).
The Coach’s Full Name.
Their Specific Role: (e.g., Girls DOC, U17 ECNL Head Coach).
Why this matters: Recruiting is a small world built on relationships. When a coach asks, "Who can I call about this kid?"
I want that answer sitting right in front of them before they even have to ask. It shows you’re the real deal and that your current coaches are willing to put their reputation on the line for you.
30-Day Scholarship Ready Plan
I built the 30-Day Scholarship Ready Plan to be your insurance policy. We don't just "help" you; we audit your brand to ensure it meets the elite standard required to actually get a response.
The Video Audit: We cut the fluff and move your "Lethal" clips to the first 15 seconds. If you don't hook me in 15 seconds, I’m gone.
The Outreach Audit: We kill the "Dear Coach" templates and build a pitch that forces a click.
The Foundation: We take you from "Invisible" to "Scholarship Ready" in 30 days.
A single mistake can cost you $100,000 in tuition and the chance to play at the next level. Don't leave your kid's future to a "good enough" highlight tape.
The Proof: It Works if You Do the Work
We don’t just talk about this; we execute it.
🏆 The Proof: From "Complex" to Committed
Recruiting isn’t a mystery, and it’s certainly not about luck. It’s about having a repeatable process. When you have a clear map, the "complexity" of the D1 landscape suddenly becomes manageable.
Take a look at Lucy. Her family reached out to share the news that she has officially committed to Sacred Heart (D1).
Here is what Lucy’s Mom had to say about the process:
"My daughter Lucy and I were incredibly thankful to have found Steve and to have his support throughout the recruiting process. From the very beginning, he guided us on how to properly email college coaches, helped us interpret and respond to messages from schools, and advised us on which ID camps were truly worth attending.
Ultimately, Steve helped us find the perfect-fit school for Lucy, both academically and athletically. Looking back, I only wish we had connected with him sooner.
If you have a son or daughter who is interested in playing collegiate soccer, I highly recommend reaching out to Steve. He provides a clear outline to follow and takes much of the stress and uncertainty out of what can otherwise feel like an overwhelming process”
Jill Ciminero -Mom of D1 Commit.
Lucy didn't just "show up" and get an offer. Her family used our platform, stayed consistent with their outreach, and executed the exact strategy I’ve built from 18 years of sitting on the other side of the recruiting desk.
This is exactly what we do at the Soccer Network. We take the "noise" and the confusion out of the equation so your athlete can focus on the result: Getting the commitment!
Cheers
Steve
Steve Coxon: The Hall of Fame Standard
Steve Coxon doesn't just understand recruiting; he lived it at the highest level for 18 years as a Division 1 Head Recruiter. With over 20 years of collegiate experience and a seat in the CT Soccer Hall of Fame.
As the Co-Founder of CFC (ECNL) and the Soccer Network, he has bridged the gap between club talent and college commitments, facilitating more than $30 million in scholarships for student-athletes. He isn't a "recruiting service"—he is the veteran insider providing the map to the finish line.
