PTRG ACADEMY℠ · RECRUITING 2.2
THE PACKAGE
32 modules. One comprehensive recruiting education.
Your son or daughter is not competing against the athletes on their own team alone. They are competing for college opportunities in a nationwide recruiting arena where talent, academic readiness, preparation, communication, financial planning and informed decisions all matter.
PTRG Academy teaches families how the recruiting system works—and how to take a purposeful, organized role in it rather than waiting to be discovered.
THE COMPETITION IS REAL
Understand the numbers behind the dream.
Sources: NFHS 2024–25 survey and NCAA participation estimates. These are same-year participation comparisons, not individual scholarship probabilities or annual roster openings. NCAA figures exclude NAIA and junior colleges; NCAA Division III does not award athletic scholarships.
KNOW THE SYSTEM. TAKE CONTROL OF THE PROCESS.
Preparation creates a recruiting advantage.
Families need more than a highlight video and a list of favorite schools. They need to understand how coaches identify and evaluate prospects, what qualifies an athlete academically, how to research appropriate programs, when to communicate, how to interpret genuine recruiting interest, and how to compare the total educational and financial opportunity.
Use the Academy's integrated nationwide college-search resources covering 1,000+ college football programs and available coaching contacts. Build a qualified list based on realistic athletic, academic and financial fit.
Develop the player profile, measurable standards, academic information and communication strategy coaches need to evaluate your son or daughter.
Learn to initiate conversations, follow up professionally, recognize genuine interest, organize school research and prepare for visits and offers.
Understand eligibility, grants, scholarships, financial-aid packages, the PTRG Money Ring™, college expenses, NIL responsibilities and financial decision-making.
Access to particular Academy tools and coach-reviewed features depends on the student's program and progress. PTRG Academy provides recruiting education and preparation; admission, roster placement and scholarship awards are determined by colleges and are not guaranteed.
THE COMPLETE CURRICULUM
What your student-athlete learns in all 32 modules
The titles and numbering below match the actual PTRG Academy Recruiting 2.2 curriculum. Each of the 32 cards explains the module, four practical learning outcomes, and the advantage that knowledge gives your student-athlete.
Welcome to the Course!
BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION FOR RECRUITING SUCCESS.
Understand the course expectations, gather the materials you will need, and establish the readiness and commitment to work through the complete recruiting process.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Understand the 32-module course roadmap
- Gather the information needed to begin
- Establish family and athlete expectations
- Complete a recruiting readiness checklist
YOUR ADVANTAGE
A clear starting point and a plan for completing the Academy.
The Truth About Recruiting
LEARN THE TRUTH BEHIND COLLEGE RECRUITING.
Understand why athletes must take responsibility for their own recruiting, how to present their accomplishments confidently, and what coaches expect from prospective players.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Understand the realities of college recruiting
- Take responsibility for your own campaign
- Present accomplishments confidently
- Recognize what coaches value
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Move from waiting to be discovered to taking informed action.
Time Management
MAKE RECRUITING A WEEKLY PRIORITY.
Organize school, football, training and family commitments; learn how to devote consistent time to researching colleges, contacting coaches and following up.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Balance school, football and family commitments
- Reserve weekly recruiting research time
- Plan outreach and follow-ups
- Build disciplined recruiting habits
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Build the discipline to keep your recruiting campaign moving.
Your Communications Game Plan
MAKE EVERY COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONAL.
Set up recruiting email and voicemail, organize college and coaching contacts, and distinguish being temporarily unavailable from being unresponsive.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Set up professional recruiting email and voicemail
- Organize coach and college contacts
- Prepare for recruiting conversations
- Respond consistently and professionally
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Present yourself as a serious, reliable student-athlete.
Learn How to Make a Winning Schedule
TURN GOALS INTO A WINNING SCHEDULE.
Translate recruiting goals into a practical daily and weekly schedule, prepare the evening before, track progress and adjust your priorities.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Turn goals into weekly priorities
- Build a practical daily schedule
- Track progress against your goals
- Review and adjust your plan
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Create consistent habits instead of relying on last-minute effort.
Show Me The Money
UNDERSTAND THE MONEY BEHIND COLLEGE RECRUITING.
Distinguish scholarships, grants, work-study and loans; understand partial awards and the financial decisions families must make beyond the athletic offer.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Distinguish grants, scholarships, work-study and loans
- Understand partial versus full awards
- Identify the true cost of attendance
- Ask informed financial questions
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Know the financial questions to ask before celebrating an offer.
Identifying Your Personal Recruiting Gap
IDENTIFY YOUR PERSONAL RECRUITING GAP.
Assess recruiting readiness and compare athletic, academic and position-specific information against relevant college-level benchmarks using the Academy's evaluation tools.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Evaluate academic and athletic readiness
- Compare position-specific benchmarks
- Identify realistic college levels
- Address gaps in your recruiting profile
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Recognize where you stand and what must improve before targeting programs.
Understanding the Life of the College Coach
SEE RECRUITING THROUGH THE COACH'S EYES.
Learn how coaches divide their time among practices, competition, recruiting and player development, and why you must make your information easy to evaluate.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Understand the demands on college coaches
- Recognize recruiting schedule constraints
- Make your information easy to evaluate
- Communicate with realistic expectations
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Communicate with realistic expectations and greater professionalism.
The Scholarship Offer
KNOW WHAT AN OFFER ACTUALLY MEANS.
Understand the distinction between verbal interest and written agreements, what is included in an award and why the NCAA, NAIA and other systems may differ.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Distinguish verbal interest from written agreements
- Review scholarship and aid terms
- Understand differences among college systems
- Identify conditions before accepting an offer
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Evaluate the terms rather than relying on the excitement of an offer.
Understanding Your NCAA & NAIA Eligibility
PROTECT YOUR ELIGIBILITY.
Understand NCAA Eligibility Center registration, education and athletic history, account types and the requirements that can affect your recruiting pathway.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Understand NCAA eligibility registration
- Review academic and core-course requirements
- Check education and athletic history
- Identify official eligibility resources
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Avoid preventable eligibility surprises.
Creating the Ultimate List of Colleges
BUILD YOUR OWN COLLEGE RECRUITING PIPELINE.
Research college programs and coaching contacts, organize a broad Ultimate School List and prioritize schools using athletic, academic and financial fit.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Research college programs nationwide
- Build an Ultimate School List
- Prioritize targets and alternatives
- Compare athletic, academic and financial fit
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Turn college research into an actionable list of opportunities.
Building a Qualified Player Profile
CREATE THE BRAND CALLED YOU.
Build a credible qualified player profile with academic information, athletic measurements, video and recruiting details that coaches can evaluate.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Organize your athletic and academic credentials
- Present accurate measurements and video
- Create a credible recruiting profile
- Make your qualifications clear to coaches
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Present organized evidence of your value instead of unsupported claims.
Academically Qualified — Your Key to Getting Successfully Recruited
MAKE ACADEMICS PART OF YOUR RECRUITING STRENGTH.
Understand core-course requirements, eligibility and the academic standards that can influence admission, recruiting and financial-aid options.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Understand eligibility versus admission
- Review academic core-course expectations
- Track grades and school requirements
- Keep more college options open
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Keep more college pathways open through academic preparation.
Your Grades & Performance Are Worth Money
UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL VALUE OF GRADES AND PERFORMANCE.
Learn how academic achievement, athletic value and other aid sources can work together, and why eligibility alone does not determine the size of an award.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Recognize academic merit-aid opportunities
- Understand the value of strong grades
- Distinguish eligibility from financial value
- Evaluate combined aid sources
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Recognize multiple ways to improve the financial package.
Evaluating & Negotiating Your Financial Package
PREPARE FOR THE FINANCIAL CONVERSATION.
Compare aid offers correctly, involve a parent or trusted adult, ask informed questions and negotiate responsibly using complete cost information.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Prepare for scholarship discussions
- Compare net costs and award conditions
- Ask informed financial-aid questions
- Involve family in major decisions
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Make decisions using the real net cost and terms of each offer.
The Things That Make You Financially Attractive
UNDERSTAND WHY A COLLEGE INVESTS IN A STUDENT-ATHLETE.
Examine character, academic preparation, athletic ability and eligibility for different aid sources as components of your overall recruiting value.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Understand character and reliability as strengths
- Assess academic recruiting value
- Evaluate athletic contribution
- Explore multiple funding opportunities
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Strengthen the qualities that create opportunities.
Knowing How Much Scholarship Money You Need
KNOW YOUR REAL FUNDING TARGET.
Calculate the complete cost of attendance, identify hidden expenses and compare schools using the same categories before determining your financial gap.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Calculate complete college costs
- Identify travel and living expenses
- Determine your family's funding gap
- Compare schools on equal terms
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Know how much assistance your family actually needs.
Understanding the Playing the Recruiting Game Money Ring™
USE THE PTRG MONEY RING™ AS A FUNDING STRATEGY.
Identify and organize scholarships, grants, earned resources and other potential funding sources, prioritizing assistance that does not create repayment debt.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Learn the PTRG Money Ring™ categories
- Identify scholarship and grant resources
- Prioritize funding without repayment debt
- Create a coordinated funding strategy
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Pursue a coordinated financial plan rather than a single scholarship.
The More Demand, The Better the Offer
UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF RECRUITING DEMAND.
Learn how multiple schools' interest may influence your options and how to discuss competing opportunities without damaging relationships.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Understand how recruiting demand develops
- Compare interest from multiple schools
- Communicate about offers responsibly
- Protect important coaching relationships
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Use legitimate recruiting interest responsibly and professionally.
How to Know the College Is Offering the Best Deal
COMPARE THE ENTIRE COLLEGE DEAL.
Review academic fit, total cost, financial aid, remaining family responsibility and athletic opportunity across competing offers.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Compare full academic and athletic opportunities
- Review all financial-aid terms
- Calculate remaining family costs
- Choose based on the complete outcome
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Choose the stronger overall opportunity, not simply the largest advertised award.
Start & Continue Conversations with College Coaches
START AND SUSTAIN COACHING RELATIONSHIPS.
Learn when and how to contact college coaches, ask productive questions, track communication and maintain a professional recruiting relationship.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Identify appropriate coaching contacts
- Start meaningful recruiting conversations
- Track outreach and follow-up actions
- Build professional recruiting relationships
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Build a deliberate outreach and follow-up process.
What to Do When a Coach Responds to You
KNOW WHAT TO DO AFTER A COACH REPLIES.
Respond promptly, prepare for calls, record conversations and follow-up actions in your recruiting management system.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Respond promptly to a coach
- Prepare for calls and follow-ups
- Record responses and milestones
- Convert interest into next steps
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Turn a response into a managed recruiting opportunity.
How to Get a College Coach to Open Your Email
WRITE EMAILS COACHES WILL WANT TO READ.
Develop effective subject lines, use a professional email identity, write concise messages and connect your qualified profile to a clear request.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Create effective recruiting subject lines
- Use a professional email identity
- Write concise athlete introductions
- Make clear requests to coaches
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Improve the clarity and professionalism of your recruiting outreach.
Properly Communicating with a College Coach via Text Message
TEXT COACHES WITH PURPOSE AND PROFESSIONALISM.
Learn what to say, when to communicate, how to use complete thoughts and which common texting mistakes to avoid.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Communicate professionally by text
- Know when a text is appropriate
- Avoid confusing or casual messages
- Track important next steps
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Make brief communications reflect maturity and preparation.
Mastering the College Visit
EVALUATE THE CAMPUS AS CAREFULLY AS THE COACH EVALUATES YOU.
Prepare questions, speak with staff and current players, examine academics, football culture and financial considerations, and record visit impressions.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Prepare questions for campus visits
- Evaluate coaches and team culture
- Review academics and campus life
- Record and compare visit impressions
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Make each college visit a structured evaluation.
How to Know When a College Coach Is Recruiting You
DISTINGUISH REAL RECRUITING INTEREST FROM GENERAL ATTENTION.
Learn the stages of a coaching relationship, identify signals of increasing interest and compare coaches' actions with their words.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Recognize recruiting relationship stages
- Distinguish general from personal interest
- Track coach actions and invitations
- Identify the next recruiting step
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Know where you stand and what your next move should be.
Putting The Pieces Together — Let's See The Process
BRING THE COMPLETE RECRUITING PROCESS TOGETHER.
Connect the qualified athlete profile, recruiting triangle, college research, communications and financial planning into one repeatable system.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Connect profile, fit and college research
- Integrate communications and follow-ups
- Include financial and visit evaluations
- Understand the complete recruiting system
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Understand how the pieces work together from preparation to decision.
NIL & Family/Agent Readiness
UNDERSTAND NIL AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES.
Explore name, image and likeness opportunities, differences among income sources, the importance of agreements and the financial responsibilities of families and representatives.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Understand common NIL arrangements
- Distinguish NIL from scholarships
- Recognize contract and tax issues
- Know when expert advice is appropriate
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Evaluate opportunities carefully and recognize when professional guidance is needed.
The NCAA Transfer Portal
UNDERSTAND THE REALITIES OF TRANSFERRING.
Examine the transfer portal, reasons to stay or leave, communication, timing and academic and financial consequences before making a major decision.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Understand transfer portal considerations
- Evaluate reasons to stay or leave
- Review academic and financial consequences
- Prepare before a transfer decision
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Approach a transfer decision with a complete plan.
Budgeting & Financial Readiness
MANAGE MONEY AFTER IT ARRIVES.
Build a student-athlete budget, distinguish financial-aid refunds from spendable income, plan for taxes and emergencies, and manage ongoing obligations.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Build a student-athlete budget
- Track aid and spending money separately
- Plan for savings and emergencies
- Recognize tax and payment obligations
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Develop financial habits that support college and life after sports.
Final Assessment
DEMONSTRATE READINESS AND SOUND JUDGMENT.
Complete the comprehensive assessment, evaluate your qualified recruiting readiness and reflect on the decisions and responsibilities covered in the course.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Review your recruiting readiness
- Apply knowledge to realistic decisions
- Complete the final assessment
- Identify remaining preparation needs
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Confirm what you know and identify remaining preparation needs.
Bonus Material
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
Review college division structures, scholarship considerations, recruiting timelines, campus-visit questions and supplemental reference material.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL LEARN
- Explore college divisions and scholarships
- Review supplemental recruiting guidance
- Prepare campus and coaching questions
- Use resources to improve decisions
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Approach the next stage with additional context and preparation.
YOUR FUTURE. YOUR FIT. YOUR DECISION.
Give your student-athlete a complete understanding of the recruiting game.
From the first assessment to the final college decision, the Academy provides a structured education in the work families need to understand, prepare for and carry out.
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