If you want to play in college, you must be cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center. This verifies your GPA, test scores, and amateur status. Without it, you can’t compete.

Most players wait too long to get serious about recruiting. Here’s the truth: - Freshman Year: Build foundation (grades, training, film). - Sophomore Year: Start outreach, attend showcases. - Junior Year: Coaches can respond, build relationships. - Senior Year: Decision time, walk-on/transfer options. Question for you: What year are you in right now? Drop it below so we know where you’re at.

Don’t sleep on this. I’ve seen players lose offers because their grades weren’t good enough. Coaches want guys they don’t have to babysit in the classroom. - NCAA has a sliding scale of GPA + test scores. - Every school has its own standards. - The better your grades, the more doors open — both athletically and financially. If you’re serious about playing college baseball, take your academics just as seriously as your training.

- D1: Big stadiums, big budgets, national TV. Ultra-competitive. Few spots. Coaches recruit early. - D2: Still very competitive, but more balance. You can get money and playing time faster. - D3: No athletic scholarships, but tons of academic/financial aid. Great option for guys who want to play and focus on academics. - JUCO: Two-year grind. Development-heavy. Tons of dudes get drafted or transfer up. Perfect if you’re a late bloomer or need to prove yourself. - NAIA: Smaller schools but still solid baseball. More scholarship flexibility than you think. The truth? There’s great baseball at every level — the right fit is about where you can develop and get on the field.

You’ve got to be real with yourself. If you’re throwing 78 mph as a senior, you’re not going to the SEC. But that doesn’t mean you can’t play college baseball — it just means you need the right fit. Do your homework: - Look at current college rosters and compare your numbers. - Be open to JUCO, D2, D3, NAIA. - Remember — development doesn’t stop in high school. Plenty of guys use JUCO or D2 to level up and transfer later.