In College Football 25, recruiting is no longer just about sending offers and hoping for the best. Instead, we’ve introduced a new Staged Recruiting system that reflects the real-world complexity of college football recruiting. This system is built around three distinct phases: Discovery, Pitch, and Close. Each phase mirrors the various stages of a recruit’s decision-making process, offering you a more strategic, immersive experience.
Discovery
Recruiting starts with the Discovery phase, where your primary focus is gathering as much information as possible about the prospects you’re interested in. At this stage, you’re not just looking at stats or star ratings; you’re discovering the recruit’s strengths, weaknesses, and most importantly, their motivations and goals. Does this player want early playing time? Are they looking for a top-tier program to launch their NFL career? Or are they focused on winning championships? The quicker you uncover this information, the better, as understanding their priorities helps you decide if they’re a fit for your program.
You also need to assess how well they align with your program’s philosophy and needs. For example, if you run a pass-heavy offense, a wide receiver might fit your scheme better than a run-first team’s scheme. Every bit of intel you gather during Discovery will help shape your strategy as you move through the recruiting process. Time is critical, and early evaluations can save you from chasing prospects who may not be a good fit.
Pitch
Once a recruit announces their Top 5 schools, you move into the Pitch phase. At this point, the recruit knows who they are interested in, and your job is to convince them that your school is the best fit. This is where the information you gathered during Discovery becomes vital. You’ll need to tailor your pitch based on the recruit’s motivations.
For instance, if a recruit is primarily concerned with playing time, you’ll need to highlight how they can start as a freshman or quickly earn a key role in your system. On the other hand, a recruit who cares about development for the pros might be more interested in hearing about your program’s success in sending players to the NFL. Your ability to align your pitch with the recruit’s needs will determine how well you stand out from the competition.
Close
The Close phase is the final, high-stakes part of recruiting, where official visits play a crucial role. You’ll bring recruits to your campus, hoping to leave a lasting impression. This visit is often the tipping point in a recruit’s decision-making process. A great visit can propel you to the top of their list, while a poor experience can result in a lost opportunity.
During the visit, you’ll want to show off the best aspects of your program: your facilities, fan support, coaching staff, and how they fit into your team’s long-term plans. Positive campus visits can lead to a verbal commitment, but nothing is guaranteed until National Signing Day, when the recruit makes their final decision.
Every program and recruit in College Football 25 is unique, and this plays a critical role in the Staged Recruiting process. Larger programs like Alabama or Ohio State might have national reach and resources, allowing them to recruit the best players from across the country, but even these powerhouse schools have to focus on relationships and motivations. For smaller schools, recruitment will be more regionally focused, requiring a more selective, targeted approach to identifying talent.
Each recruit also has individual preferences and expectations. Some recruits may prioritize factors like location, playing time, or facilities, while others focus more on a program’s winning tradition, NFL development, or academic reputation. Part of your job is to figure out which aspects matter most to each recruit and make sure your recruiting strategy reflects those preferences.
Staged Recruiting in College Football 25 offers a dynamic and immersive experience that mirrors the challenges and strategies of real-life recruiting. From discovering new talent to pitching your program and closing with a crucial official visit, each step requires careful planning and insight. Tailoring your approach to fit each recruit’s needs while understanding your program’s strengths is the key to building a championship team. Whether you’re chasing 5-star prospects or uncovering hidden gems, mastering the stages of recruiting will set your program on the path to greatness.