Stop sleepwalking through college visits
How to gather real intel instead of sales pitches
I need to tell you about the recruit who toured four campuses and learned nothing.
She went through the motions. Smiled at the right times. Nodded when coaches spoke. Asked polite questions.
But when decision time came, she had no real insight into any program.
She'd sleepwalked through every visit.
The Sleepwalking Problem
Too many recruits approach official and unofficial visits - which can begin on August 1 for the class of 2027 - passively.
They show up and let the program guide them through a predetermined experience. They answer questions when asked, but don't dig deeper. They observe but don't investigate.
I get it. Visits can be overwhelming, especially if you're introverted. You're meeting lots of new people, processing information, and everyone's doing a bit of selling.
The natural reaction is to shrink back and become a passive observer.
But it's your visit. You have agency here.
Take Ownership of Your Itinerary
Before any visit, think about what you need to experience.
Some schools will ask: "What's important to you during your visit?"
Don't be afraid to make specific requests:
"I'd love to spend as much time as possible with current freshmen and sophomores since they'll be my future teammates."
"It's really important to me to stay overnight in a dorm to experience what that's actually like."
"I'd prefer to focus on team time rather than attending classes."
You might not get everything you ask for. But if you don't ask, you definitely won't get it.
The Question Strategy
Most recruits ask surface questions:
"How do you like it here?"
"What's your favorite thing about the program?"
These get predictably positive answers.
Instead, try questions that reveal depth:
To current players:
"What's been your biggest challenge adjusting to college?"
"What's one thing you wish you'd known before coming?"
To coaches:
"How do you handle playing time decisions?"
"How do you support players who are struggling with confidence?"
Questions about challenges often reveal the most important truths.
The Parent Balance
Your parents should be there - they're key stakeholders who will see things with adult eyes that you might miss.
But they shouldn't dominate every conversation.
Coaches want to see that you can advocate for yourself and think independently. If mom and dad answer every question, coaches wonder if you'll be able to handle college independence.
Find the balance: let your parents observe and ask their own questions, but make sure you're driving the key conversations.
One Thing That Works
Before each visit, write down three to five thoughtful questions to ask every program.
Take quick notes afterwards on what you heard, so you can compare their answers.
Reality Check
Every campus visit is designed to impress you. Every program puts its best foot forward.
Your job is to look beyond the sales pitch and find the authentic insights that will help you make a real decision.
The most revealing moments often happen in unscripted conversations with current players or during downtime when everyone's guard is down.
Be intentional. Ask good questions. Take some control.
It's your future - make sure you're gathering the intel you need to choose wisely.
P.S. Later this week, I'm sharing the advanced question strategies that separate smart recruits from passive ones in my premium newsletter - including how to read between the lines of coach responses and prepare for their toughest questions about you.