The college recruiting process is confusing, expensive, and full of bad advice — especially when you're chasing high-academic programs like the Ivy League, NESCAC, Patriot League, and the nation's top 25 and 30 schools.
This podcast cuts through the noise.
Every episode covers what families and athletes actually need to know: how coaches evaluate recruits at academic powerhouses, what makes a prospect stand out on film and on paper, how to build a school list that's both an athletic and academic fit, and how to navigate the timeline without making costly mistakes.
Whether you're an athlete with Division I dreams or a parent trying to figure out where to even start — this show gives you an inside look at a process most families only get to experience once.
Hosted by a coach and recruiting consultant, Brendan Cahill, who has over a decade of experience helping athletes earn spots at every Ivy League school and programs across the NESCAC and Patriot League.
No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real talk about what it takes.
The NCAA's new "5-For-5" Eligibility Rule (What It Means For Your Recruiting - Bad and Good)
The conversation explores the NCAA's proposed 5 for 5 rule and its potential impact on the recruiting timeline. It delves into the complexities of the current eligibility system, tools and exceptions to extend eligibility, the impact of COVID and the transfer portal, financial incentives, and the downsides and upsides of the proposed rule. It also discusses the impact on the international pipeline, postgraduate year, and strategic decision-making for 2027 families, concluding with closing remarks and predictions.
Takeaways
NCAA's proposed 5 for 5 rule
Impact on recruiting timeline
Chapters
00:00 Closing Remarks and Predictions
22 Apr 2026
5 Must Do's For Ivy+ Camps
The conversation covers essential preparations for Ivy Plus Camp, including the importance of academic transcripts, senior class lists, leadership, community service, ACT and SAT scores, and GPA scale and conversion. These preparations are crucial for athletes seeking admission to Ivy League and other prestigious colleges.
Takeaways
Importance of academic transcripts for college coaches
Understanding the significance of leadership and community service
Preparation of ACT and SAT scores for college admissions
Understanding GPA scale and conversion for coaches
Chapters
00:00 Preparing for Ivy Plus Camp
05:50 Summary and Key Takeaways
11 Apr 2026
Everything You Need To Know About Summer Recruiting Camps
The episode discusses how to prepare for summer college recruiting camps, covering topics such as camp scheduling, camp structure, realistic school targeting, parent and player conduct at camps, follow-up after camps, and the timing of recruiting waves. The conversation provides valuable insights for families navigating the high academic world of college sports recruiting.
Takeaways
Camp scheduling requires careful planning and realistic expectations.
Networking and building relationships with coaches prior to summer camps is crucial for success.
The timing of recruiting waves and the importance of follow-up after camps are key considerations for families.
Chapters
00:00 Preparing for Summer College Recruiting Camps
05:15 Summer Camps as a Finishing Line
11:00 Follow-Up and Thank-You Notes
16 Mar 2026
4 Things To Know About Post-Grad Years
The conversation explores the concept of postgraduate years, highlighting their purpose, limitations, and impact on academic and athletic development. It delves into the reasons for pursuing a postgraduate year and the considerations for future pursuit, providing valuable insights for students and parents.
Takeaways
Postgraduate years are an extra year of high school that do not count against NCAA eligibility.
Postgraduate years are limited and competitive, and are often pursued to improve academics, gain exposure, or enhance athletic performance.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Postgraduate Years
06:12 Considerations for Future Pursuit of Postgraduate Years
4 Mar 2026
How To Get Ivy+ Coaches To Notice You
The process of getting noticed by college football coaches involves understanding the core principles and strategies for making a meaningful connection. It requires a combination of digital presence, proactive outreach, and realistic assessment of one's athletic and academic abilities. The market and the coaches themselves play a significant role in determining a player's level of recruitment.
Takeaways
Strategies for getting noticed by college football coaches involve a combination of digital presence, proactive outreach, and realistic self-assessment.
The market and the coaches themselves play a significant role in determining a player's level of recruitment.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding the Core Principles
09:45 Identifying Safety, Dream, and Target Schools
16:57 Adapting to the Market and Coach Responses
3 Mar 2026
Your Test Scores vs. Your GPA
The conversation delves into the importance of both transcript and test scores in college admissions, highlighting the key factors that admissions coaches consider. It also explores strategies for strengthening one's transcript and the role of test scores in athletic recruitment. The discussion concludes with insights on the pre-read process and the significance of both transcript and test scores in admissions decisions.
Takeaways
Transcript and test scores are both important
GPA and school rigor are key factors in admissions
Chapters
00:00 Importance of Transcript and Test Scores
05:16 Athletic Recruitment and Test Scores
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