Coach outreach

Emailing college football coaches

Football staffs get a huge number of emails. The ones that get opened are short and specific: grad year, position, height and weight, high school, a clickable Hudl link and your coach's contact info.

Who to email

Most football staffs assign each assistant a recruiting area (a region or set of states) as well as a position group. Many staff pages list both. Email the coach who recruits your area, and copy your position coach.
Use the "Coaches" link in the directory to find them. Fill out the school's recruiting questionnaire too.

When to email

You can email coaches at any grade. D1 coaches can read your emails and watch your film before they're allowed to reply.
FBS and FCS coaches can reply starting June 15 after sophomore year. D2, D3, NAIA and JUCO coaches can reply sooner. See the timeline.
In D1 you can call a coach anytime, and if they answer, you can talk.

Subject line formula

Grad year, position, height/weight, high school and state, GPA if strong, and "(Hudl)".

Subject: [Grad Year] OL 6'4 285 | [High School], [ST] | [GPA] GPA (Hudl)
Subject: [Grad Year] ATH (WR/DB) 6'1 180 | [High School], [ST] | Junior film (Hudl)

Sample coach email

Keep the body under about 150 words. Put your Hudl link near the top. Never attach video.

Coach [Last Name],

My name is [Full Name]. I am a [Grad Year] [position] at [High School] in [City, State]. I am interested in [University] football, specifically [one real reason].

Player snapshot:
- Position(s): [ ] | Height/Weight: [measured, date]
- Junior film (Hudl): [link]  (best plays in the first 30 seconds)
- Full game film: [link]
- Verified testing, if any: [event, date, result]
- GPA: [unweighted] / [weighted] | Test score: [if any]
- Academic interest: [ ]
- Upcoming camps I plan to attend: [ ]

I have completed [University]'s football recruiting questionnaire.

Head coach: [Name, cell, email]

Thank you for your time.

[Full Name]
Class of [Grad Year] | [Position] | [High School]
[Cell] | [Email] | [NCAA ID if any]

Send it from the player's own email address, one school per email. Most college coaches will want to talk to your high school coach, so make sure your coach knows you're reaching out.

Follow-ups

Follow up every 2–4 weeks in season with something new: this week's film, updated stats, an award or a grade update.
Before a camp, email the staff that you're coming, with your position and camp number if you have one.
After a camp or junior day, send a short thank-you within a day or two.
Keep a tracker: school, coach, recruiting area, date sent, questionnaire done, reply, next follow-up.

College Football Recruiting Playbook · $29.99

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Everything on this page is free. Want it all in one place? The 31-page playbook and Excel tracker cover FBS, FCS, D2, D3, NAIA and JUCO dates by grade, camps and junior days, email templates, a 30-day quick start and 889 programs.

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