Hear from a D1 track and field student-athlete who’s been through the recruiting process! Watch Braxton Sanford’s story to learn what he discovered during the process and how NCSA helped him connect with college coaches.
Track and Field Recruiting: What You Need to Know
Men’s track and field recruiting—like any college sport—is highly competitive, which often leaves student-athletes and their families unsure of where and when to begin.
- Over 600,000 men’s track and field athletes compete at the high school level each year.
- Less than 32,000 (5.2%) go on to compete at the NCAA D1, D2 or D3 levels:
- Division 1: 1.9 percent
- Division 2: 1.4 percent
- Division 3: 1.9 percent
- 14% of D1 and 4% percent of D2 men’s track and field recruits are international students.
- Nearly 4,000 athletes go on to compete at the NAIA level.
- About 2,300 athletes also go on to compete at the NJCAA level.
What Makes Track and Field Recruiting Unique?
Unlike other sports, there’s no standard recruiting path in track and field. The process can vary significantly depending on:
- The athlete’s event specialty (e.g., sprinter vs. thrower)
- The college division or association
- Geographic location and recruiting rules
Each event has its own recruiting benchmarks, so a distance runner will be evaluated very differently than a hurdler or shot putter.
Take Control of Your Recruiting Journey
No matter your event or when you begin, being proactive is key. Coaches can’t find every athlete on their own—so:
- Research and narrow down target schools
- Continuously work to improve your stats
- Stay focused in the classroom
By taking ownership of your recruiting process, you increase your chances of reaching the next level.
When Does Track and Field Recruiting Start—and How Can You Get Ahead?
Recruiting timelines vary by division, but here’s a quick overview:
- Division 1: Coaches can contact athletes starting June 15 after sophomore year. Visits and off-campus contact are allowed beginning August 1 before junior year.
- Division 2: Visits can begin as early as June 15; however, contact can begin anytime.
- Division 3, NAIA, and JUCO: Coaches can contact athletes at any time, with fewer or no restrictions.
Insider Tip: Most recruiting activity picks up during junior year, so it’s smart to start early.
How To Get A Head Start
Even before coaches can reach out, you can take action:
- Fill out recruiting questionnaires
- Email coaches first to express interest
- Build a strong profile with verified stats and highlight videos
- Compete in high-level meets to increase visibility
- Research schools at all levels and track your academic/eligibility progress
- Set seasonal performance goals and stay consistent with training
Starting early shows initiative—and puts you on coaches’ radars before most recruits even begin the process.
For a full breakdown of contact rules and timelines, visit: NCSA Men’s Track & Field Recruiting Rules & Calendar
What College Track Coaches Look For In Recruits
For prospective track and field athletes, college recruiting often comes down to your stats and how reliable they are. Coaches need to know if you have the performance to compete at their level, or the potential to get there.
Top 2 Things Coaches Care About Most:
- Valid and Accurate Data: Coaches want verified stats, not estimates. For runners, this means using Fully Automatic Timing (FAT)—not hand-timed or stopwatch results. For throwers, measurements should be exact and include the weight of the implement (e.g., shot put, javelin).
- No Guesstimating: Never submit projected or converted times. A fast indoor mark? Great, just don’t list it as your “projected” outdoor time. Stick to official, event-specific results.
Other Ways to Stand Out:
- Training History: Let coaches know how long you’ve been competing in your event. Did you start in middle school or pick it up recently?
- Complete Recruiting Profile: Include your contact info, GPA, test scores, and updated stats in one place. Coaches won’t chase down missing info.
Remember: It’s More Than Just Numbers
Every program has unique priorities. Some coaches value:
- Speed vs. strength
- Team chemistry and leadership
- Technical skills or long-term potential
- Character, effort, and coachability
Success in recruiting comes from understanding your target schools’ expectations and showing how you fit both athletically and academically. To succeed throughout the track recruiting process, potential recruits will need to understand the track and field scholarship standards for their top schools and how to balance their sport with their academic strengths to find the best college fit.
Men’s College Track And Field Recruiting Tips
Once your profile, stats, and school list are in place, the next step is taking ownership of the process.
- Reach out directly: Coaches want to hear from you—not your parents or high school coach.
- Follow up: Be the one sending emails, asking questions, and staying in touch.
- Own your visits: Plan ahead for campus visits (virtual or in person) and come prepared with thoughtful questions.
Staying engaged and leading communication shows coaches you’re serious and makes a strong impression.
What Division Level Is Right For Me?
Finding your best fit goes beyond performance stats—it’s about balancing your athletic goals with the college experience you want.
- Performance standards vary by division. Use them as a guide to see where you might attract recruiting or walk-on interest.
- But coaches also weigh academics, character, and coachability, not just your times or marks.
- Consider your lifestyle preferences:
- D1 athletes often commit to a full-time, year-round schedule.
- D2/D3/NAIA may offer more flexibility for internships, double majors, or study abroad.
The right level depends on your priorities—athletically, academically, and personally.
See scholarship standards by division: NCSA’s Track and Field Recruiting Standards
Building Your target school list
Once you know your division range, build a smart list:
- 5–10 Safety Schools: You’re confident academically and athletically
- 10–15 Target Schools: Strong matches—your top realistic picks
- 5–10 Reach Schools: Competitive, but worth pursuing
Update your list regularly as your preferences and performance evolve.
Explore options: NCSA Power Rankings
Club Track/Unattached Vs. High School Track
There are certainly benefits to competing for both high school and club teams to maximize your visibility to college coaches during the track and field recruiting process. But you do not have to be part of a high school or club team to be recruited.
While state championships at the high school level, as well as regional and national championships at the club level, are typically the best opportunity for you to showcase your talent to college coaches, you do not need to belong to a traditional track and field team to earn attention or showcase your talents. Unattached student-athletes are eligible to be recruited.
any track and field organizations offer prospective recruits a chance to compete against the best of the best within their age groups and get noticed by college coaches.
For example, USA Track & Field’s (USATF) indoor and outdoor Youth and Junior Olympic Championships series offers a variety of meets where the most elite amateur athletes advance to the National Championships in both track and field and cross-country, allowing them to be recognized nationally and even worldwide.
Do I need a track and field recruiting video?
Producing a great track and field recruiting video isn’t as important as having verified, accurate times and marks. This doesn’t necessarily mean recruits shouldn’t have a video at all, but hurdlers, jumpers and throwers would benefit more from having one more than distance runners and sprinters.
Track and field recruiting videos can still help you get noticed by coaches who would otherwise not get the chance to see or evaluate their scores.
How To make a great track and field recruiting video
A strong video can set you apart if it’s done right. Here are the essentials every recruit should follow:
Keep It Simple and Effective:
- Keep it short: 3–5 minutes max, with no more than 3 events.
- Film close and steady: Stay in focus and avoid shaky or obstructed footage.
- Skip the extras: No need for music or long intros—coaches want to see performance.
Highlight Skills Coaches Can’t See on a Stat Sheet:
- Sprinters: Show all block phases—mark, set, release, drive, and acceleration.
- Jumpers/Vaulters: Focus on footwork, air form, and side-angle views of takeoff and landing.
- Throwers: Use aerial angles to highlight rotation and footwork; show exact distances.
- Hurdlers: Capture lead/trail leg mechanics, arm drive, and block work.
- Mid/Distance Runners: Emphasize race strategy, strength, and intensity from start to finish.
Want more video tips? Check out: How to Make a Highlight Video
Your Coach’s Role In THe recruiting process
While the recruiting journey is ultimately driven by the athlete, your club or high school coach can be a valuable ally. Coaches can:
- Advocate on your behalf to college programs
- Verify your performance and training background
- Offer insights on your strengths, areas for improvement, and potential fit at different levels
But remember, your success depends on your own initiative. Use your coach as a resource, not a substitute, and keep them in the loop throughout your recruiting process.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
The recruiting process can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. Whether you’re just getting started or already reaching out to coaches, NCSA is here to guide you every step of the way.
- Compare your stats to college standards
- Build a standout recruiting profile
- Connect with coaches at your target schools
- Get expert support on timelines, video, communication, and more
Take control of your recruiting journey today. Create your free NCSA profile and start finding your best college fit.