You've probably started thinking about what your child should do about the college recruitment process, as they prepare for their next steps as a high school student-athlete.

In the United States, according to leagueside.com, there are 1,093,234 high school football players, and only 6.5 percent (71,060) get into college football. The drop-off from college to professional football is even more dramatic, as only 1.2 percent of collegiate players will get drafted into the NFL.

Preparation and foresight are essential in ensuring that your child gets into the college football or baseball or basketball team that best suits their interests and abilities. Consider the following helpful suggestions as you begin to plan for your high school student's future as a collegiate student-athlete:

Things You Can Do

Start Early

Don't put off starting the college recruitment and admissions process until your child's senior year.

Knowing which camps, college coaches and recruiting staff to attend will be critical as you assist your child in planning their future. Identify likely camps and enrol your child during the summers running up to and including their senior year.

IMG Academy, one of the greatest soccer schools in the United States and a well-known camp program for growth in eight sports, is an excellent place for your child to improve their athleticism and mental toughness.

Social Media Matters

College coaches will use social media to find potential pupils.

Your child must recognise the importance of presenting oneself in a positive light online, both through postings and interactions and comments on other social media platforms. Posting about success and lessons learned is a great way to show off potential and your child's ability to have some insight into their play.

However, coaches have removed an athlete from their list of prospects after seeing negative things on their social media accounts, too, according to an interview done for a 2018 piece on NorthJersey.com.

Don't Be Afraid To Promote.

Reach out to college coaches who your child has flagged as a potential choice for their chosen programs.

Coaches will notice your child's initiative, which is a desirable quality that teams look for during the recruiting process. One of the most crucial topics to understand and follow is NCAA regulations, which describe all required communication laws and norms.

Don't Slack On Academics.

During the admissions process, don't rely entirely on sports performance.

Every top college seeks well-rounded student-athletes with an outstanding academic performance on their records, including a high GPA, exceptional test scores, and demanding high school courses.

Although there may be exceptions, your child should be equally focused on academics and athletic training.

Keep It Going

Your youngster should make the most of their free time, since college coaches will notice their effort and passion.

Every student-athlete, regardless of sport, can identify areas of development to work on during the off-season to give them an advantage when competition and tryouts begin.

Participate In Outside School Sport

The majority of elite college recruits will have participated in more than one team in high school.

High-level competition, a diverse environment, well-rounded training, and increased exposure to a wide array of coaching personalities are all provided by club teams and sports camps or events. Attending one of the premier sports or soccer schools in the United States, such as IMG Academy, will improve your child's athletic credentials and help them stand out among other applications and recruits.

Participate In Extracurricular Activities

Many institutions and scholarships demand volunteer hours to be considered for admission.

Many students are unaware that they can obtain those hours by helping in their preferred sport. Coaching a minor league team, arranging fundraisers to support local sports groups, or even launching programs in regions where youth sports are scarce are just a few examples.

These volunteer initiatives will only benefit your child as a recruit by allowing them to polish desired qualities like leadership.

Gain Leadership Experience

As previously stated, leadership is a highly vital trait for student-athletes to possess.

Although being a team captain is a fantastic opportunity, your child has many other opportunities to develop leadership qualities, including volunteering, joining a school club, and working part-time. This participation will only help them stand out as college recruits.

Working with your child throughout their college recruitment process and presenting them with these additional opportunities is critical. As a result, your child will exude the attributes of a well-prepared and self-assured collegiate student-athlete.

Students can obtain a competitive advantage over other aspiring college athletes by actively advertising themselves and focusing on academic success, and participating in different sports activities outside of their high school team, such as joining one of the most outstanding soccer academies in the United States.