Start Early or Miss Out: The Truth About College Tennis Recruitment

Over the past few months, I’ve had multiple families reach out for help with college recruitment, and one thing keeps coming up: players are starting the process far too late. The stakes in college tennis are higher than ever, and waiting only narrows your options.

Here’s what families need to know.

1. Starting Late Limits Your Choices

A realistic timeline for college tennis recruitment is at least two years before high school graduation. For top Division I programs, it can be even earlier.

Yes, last-minute openings exist. But the odds of finding a school that matches your level, location preferences, academic interests, personality, and budget drop significantly when you wait.

On top of that, the transfer portal is packed with hundreds of college athletes looking to change schools. This competition shifts everything -and it means juniors who delay are already behind.

2. “We Want to Wait Until Their Level Improves” - A Common Mistake

Many families think waiting to improve makes them more attractive.

This is a major misunderstanding.

College coaches don’t just recruit skill. They recruit progress.

They want to watch a player grow over time - how they train, how they compete, how they respond to pressure. If they only see a snapshot at the end, it’s harder for them to project a player’s future level and fit within their program.

Starting early allows coaches to follow your trajectory, not just your current ranking.

3. Time Creates Better Fit and Better Decisions

A successful college match isn’t found through a few emails. You need time to:

• Build real relationships with coaches

• Learn about different team cultures

• Talk to current players

• Explore scholarships and budgets

• Visit campuses

• Compare academic programs

• Understand expectations and realities

  
  

When players begin late, they often scramble and settle for whatever is left rather than what is right.

4. Misinformation From Private Coaches Is a Real Problem

Unfortunately, I hear too many juniors say their private coach told them to “wait until you get better” or “start in senior year.”

Most private coaches simply aren’t up to date on NCAA timelines, transfer portal dynamics, scholarship availability, or recruiting patterns across conferences.

They care about their players — but that doesn’t mean they have accurate recruiting knowledge. And that misinformation delays the process for athletes who can’t afford to lose time.

5. What Families Need to Understand

If you remember nothing else, remember this:

• Start earlier than you think.

• Planning doesn’t lock you in - it gives you options.

• Coaches recruit players they can follow, not last-minute surprises.

  
  

An early start gives you the chance to grow, not rush.

Final Thoughts

Every junior athlete deserves the chance to find the college environment where they will thrive. Starting early doesn’t guarantee a perfect match, but starting late almost always guarantees fewer choices.

If you need help understanding where your player fits, how to build a strong profile, or how to connect with coaches, I’m here to guide you.

- Tina, TC4A