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<h3>The Landscape Has Changed</h3>For years, college coaches built their rosters primarily by recruiting high school athletes. But today, that landscape is shifting fast.The rise of the NCAA Transfer Portal, an increase in international recruiting, and recent developments in JUCO eligibility rules are reshaping how programs fill their rosters. High school athletes are feeling the squeeze, and those who aren’t prepared early risk being left behind.If you’re aiming to compete at the next level, it’s critical to understand how these shifts are affecting your opportunities, timelines, and expectations.<h3>The Transfer Portal</h3>The transfer portal has become a powerful tool for college coaches to reshape their rosters with less risk.<ul><li>Transfers bring college experience—they’ve adjusted to training, academics, and competition.</li><li>Coaches often view them as a safer bet—they know what they’re getting.</li><li>With limited scholarships, many programs prioritize athletes who can contribute immediately.</li></ul>The downside for high school athletes?Coaches, especially at the DI and top-tier DII levels, are far less likely to take a chance on unproven athletes when they can recruit someone who’s already competed at the collegiate level.<h3>The Rise in International Recruiting</h3>Another trend shifting the landscape: U.S. programs are recruiting internationally at unprecedented levels.<ul><li>Programs across DI, DII, NAIA, and JUCO are targeting international athletes, especially in distance events.</li><li>Many arrive with advanced training, consistent performances, and often lower scholarship expectations.</li><li>Some have experience from national teams or professional training environments.</li></ul>The result? A growing share of roster spots is being filled by international recruits who are ready to score points right away.<h3>JUCO Eligibility Waiver: Important but Temporary</h3>Recent legal rulings have allowed some JUCO athletes transferring into four-year schools in 2025 to apply for a temporary waiver that could extend their eligibility up to six total years of collegiate competition.But here’s the fine print:<ul><li>This is a one-time exception, not a permanent rule.</li><li>It only applies to a specific group of athletes whose eligibility would have ended after the 2024–25 season.</li><li>The NCAA is currently appealing the decision that allowed it.</li><li>Athletes must meet strict academic and eligibility criteria.</li></ul>Bottom line: This is a rare exception, not a trend to rely on. High school athletes should not count on extra years when planning their athletic future.<h3>What This Means for High School Athletes</h3>You’re no longer just competing with your peers. You’re competing with:<ul><li>NCAA transfer athletes who are older and more experienced</li><li>International athletes with backgrounds competing at a high-level</li><li>JUCO transfers with potential 4–6 years of eligibility</li></ul>Which means:<ul><li>Coaches are recruiting earlier</li><li>There are fewer roster spots and scholarships available</li><li>Waiting until senior year to get serious can cost you, not just at DI, but at DII, NAIA, and even JUCO programs </li></ul><h3>How to Stay in the Game</h3>Start EarlyCoaches begin building their classes around juniors, sometimes even earlier for top performers. If you’re not on their radar by the end of XC season (November), it’s possible that roster space is already limited.Create a list of ~10 schools by the end of junior year. Narrow it to 5 by summer. By the end of XC, aim to be choosing between 2–3 strong fits.Be CompleteIt’s not just about PRs. Academic eligibility, communication, character, and consistency all matter.Coaches get frustrated when athletes:<ul><li>Don’t apply to their school</li><li>Haven’t decided on a major</li><li>Haven’t taken the SAT/ACT (if required)</li><li>Are inconsistent or vague in communication</li></ul>Reach Out with IntentionDon’t DM a coach saying “Hey.” Send a professional email with:<ul><li>Your top times and events</li><li>Why you’re interested in their program</li><li>What you value in a coach, culture, and development path</li></ul>Consider ALL LevelsThere are incredible opportunities at DII, DIII, NAIA, and JUCO. Don’t chase logos—chase fit.A lot of high school athletes dream of trying out and walking on at a DI program, hoping to earn a spot. While that can happen, it’s rare and the numbers back it up.Only about 2%&nbsp;of high school athletes go on to compete at the Division I level, and that number drops even lower in distance events. Most the ~ 1 million HS track and XC athletes will never race in a DI uniform.Think of it like Rudy—inspiring, emotional, but not how most college athletics works.Most DI programs are near roster limits. Coaches have limited travel slots, training attention, and bandwidth to invest in “maybe” athletes. Even when you make the team, you may not get the same support or race opportunities as scholarship athletes.Ask yourself: Do I want to be a program piece—or a practice body?Get GuidanceYou don’t have to figure this out alone. Having a coach or mentor who understands the recruiting process can save you months of stress—and help you land somewhere you’ll thrive.Final TakeawayThe transfer portal. International recruiting. JUCO waivers.These aren’t trends—they’re now part of the system. Recruiting is changing rapidly, and if you want to land a roster spot, you need more than talent—you need a strategy.The earlier you prepare, the better your chances.<h3>Need Some Guidance?</h3>I work with high school athletes and families, not just in training and racing, but in navigating the recruiting process, finding the right academic fit, and preparing for life at the next level.If you’re not sure where to start or feel like you’re falling behind, let’s talk.Tap the links to:✅ Fill out the <a data-mce-href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WrrqshhRabb48n2j4QomhKJm6f-VlZyvUF6qUnGythE/edit" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WrrqshhRabb48n2j4QomhKJm6f-VlZyvUF6qUnGythE/edit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HS Questionnaire</a>✅ Download the <a data-mce-href="file:///Users/MattLowe/Downloads/Are%20You%20Recruitable_%20A%20College%20Coach%E2%80%99s%20Checklist%20for%20HS%20Athletes.pdf" href="file:///Users/MattLowe/Downloads/Are%20You%20Recruitable_%20A%20College%20Coach%E2%80%99s%20Checklist%20for%20HS%20Athletes.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Are You Recruitable?”</a> checklist📩 Reach me directly: <a href="mailto:matt.lowe@pprunning.com">matt.lowe@pprunning.com</a>&nbsp;

Episode 2: How the Transfer Portal, International Recruiting & JUCO Eligibility Are Reshaping Recruiting

<h3>The Truth About Getting Recruited</h3>When I was coaching at the college level, dozens of athletes and parents would reach out asking the same question:“What time do I need to run to get recruited?”But here’s the truth: performance is just one piece of the puzzle. Many other factors contribute to what coaches are really looking for. And if red flags are visible to any coach, such as a poor attitude, lack of communication, low coachability, or struggles in the classroom, even a fast runner can be passed up. College coaches are looking for more than just PRs; they’re looking for the right fit for their program.And now, with the rise of NIL, the transfer portal, Title IX compliance pressures, and the NCAA’s shifting structure, recruiting is more complicated than ever, especially for families sending their first kid to college.<h3>Why I’m Launching This Series—And What to Expect</h3>This series is a practical guide for aspiring college athletes and their families. My goal is to simplify a complex process and provide you with the clarity, tools, and confidence to navigate the recruiting process with intention.Over the upcoming weeks, I’ll be breaking down key topics like:<ul><li>What coaches look for beyond race times</li><li>How the transfer portal is reshaping recruiting</li><li>The pros and cons of the JUCO route</li><li>How to effectively engage with college coaches</li><li>Understanding your true options: DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, and JUCO</li><li>Why your training background and “trainability” matter</li><li>What happens when you wait too long to start the process</li><li>And how the NCAA settlement is changing the game—for everyone</li></ul>This series is for high school prospects and their families, whether they're a freshman planning ahead or a senior still unsure of their next step. But it's also bigger than just recruiting tips. Through my coaching services, I help athletes not only race faster and build strong training foundations, but also prepare for the next level - whether it's through navigating the recruiting process, identifying schools that align with their goals, or choosing degree programs that match future industry demand.&nbsp;This is about long-term fit, not just athletic success, but academic and career alignment too.&nbsp;<h3>From the Coach’s Side of the Desk</h3>When I was recruiting, I wasn’t just looking at times.I asked about their training background, evaluated their body language, requested transcripts, and followed recruits on social media. I used platforms like Athletic.net, MileSplit, and TFRRS to scout talent. I connected with athletes through Instagram, phone calls, and Zoom calls with families.But that was just the surface, because the real decision-making happened through conversations, gauging character, attitude, and whether a recruit aligned with the vision I was building.Most coaches follow a similar process and do the same thing. And as recruiting becomes more selective, they’re becoming even more intentional about who they bring in and why.<h3>What You Can Do Now</h3>✅ Check out my webpage for <a title="College-Bound Athlete Support" href="https://pprcrunning.com/college-recruiting-support-for-tf-athletes" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://pprcrunning.com/college-recruiting-support-for-tf-athletes">College-Bound Athlete Support</a>&nbsp; 📲 Follow me on Instagram <a data-mce-href="https://www.instagram.com/pprc_running/" href="https://www.instagram.com/pprc_running/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@pprc_running</a> for visual breakdowns📥 Download the free “<a data-mce-href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kbUrFFFnOeVPk3OmX-F3o0Ycue6XNgXb/view?usp=drive_link" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kbUrFFFnOeVPk3OmX-F3o0Ycue6XNgXb/view?usp=drive_link" title="Are You Recruitable - A Checklist for HS Athletes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Are You Recruitable</a>?” checklist and take your first step today

What College Coaches Look For Beyond Times

Female athlete looking out at a running track

Where Do We Draw the Line? Fairness, Fatigue, and the Future of Girls' Sports

For a long time, I believed success as a coach meant sticking it out — staying loyal to a program, grinding through long hours, and sacrificing everything for the job. But eventually, I had to face a deeper truth: staying wasn’t making me a better coach, and it wasn’t making me a better man.When I left my position as Head Cross Country Coach at Friends University, I felt a complicated mix of relief and grief. I was stepping away from a title I had worked for years to earn — a journey that began as an Assistant Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan, a Volunteer Throws Coach at Saint Martin’s University, and continued through launching the cross country program at Oakland Bay Jr. High. Every step was built on hard work and care, so walking away wasn’t easy.But as I stepped away from the title, I was stepping toward something even more important.My wife needed her husband.My daughters needed their dad.And truthfully, I needed myself back.<figure id="figure-2awf1fo76rmayf0oqb"><img id="2awf1fo76rmayf0oqb" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1cUGNT7bqIRWhjlSewiCkrcFCAS8r1Tt7Vh0HAllVdQPbIAe6f56T8VqtEY6l9Cs.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1cUGNT7bqIRWhjlSewiCkrcFCAS8r1Tt7Vh0HAllVdQPbIAe6f56T8VqtEY6l9Cs.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>It’s easy to confuse leaving with failure. God knows I’ve wrestled with the guilt, the doubt, the slow work of continuously reshaping my mindset. But I’ve come to understand: walking away from something that no longer aligns with your values isn’t quitting — it’s choosing what matters most. I didn’t leave because I stopped caring. I left because I cared too much to stay in a system that didn’t reflect the kind of coach, husband, and father I truly wanted to be.After I resigned in March, I spent the week with Sarah and the girls in New Orleans, where we met up with both of our parents. We hadn’t been together since December. Being with them again felt like a tremendous amount of weight was lifted, much like coming home in more ways than one. Sarah knew what I was going through in this unexpected change of our life’s trajectory. She suggested an idea: what if we started our own running club?At first, I was hesitant. But I kept circling back to it. Sarah had previously started a fitness bootcamp business called Process Performance, and I realized maybe this was the door I didn’t know we were waiting for.So we brought it back together.Through Process Performance RC, we’re building something that reflects the life we want to live—a space where I can be both coach and dad, where athletes are developed, not just managed, where coaching is personal and intentional, and where growth is measured by purpose, not just performance.To anyone standing at the same kind of crossroads — whether in coaching or any other profession — just know: leaving isn’t failure. Sometimes it’s the most courageous thing you’ll ever do. And more often than not, it opens the door to exactly what you were meant to do.Follow us on Instagram! @pprc_running<figure id="figure-91xl6ffwymayf20yw"><img id="91xl6ffwymayf20yw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/195ajogjUO0psboKcXAheGOnE5OAynPUiDYZMPUv6CYbBEyoMEOFbvAtO4NUiIJF.jpeg" alt="Trail running" title="Trail running" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/195ajogjUO0psboKcXAheGOnE5OAynPUiDYZMPUv6CYbBEyoMEOFbvAtO4NUiIJF.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>

Redefining Success: Why I Walked Away

Process Performance RC

Process Performance RC is an LLC dedicated to performance-driven coaching that empowers runners of all levels—from high school athletes to elite competitors and everyday runners—to train with purpose and consistency. Through personalized coaching, community-driven teams, and expert guidance, PPRC provides high-quality training rooted in science, experience, and a passion for the process. Our mission is to make performance accessible, sustainable, and deeply rewarding for every athlete we coach. 

Blog: Training, Recruiting & Readiness

Episode 2: How the Transfer Portal, International Recruit...

What College Coaches Look For Beyond Times

Where Do We Draw the Line? Fairness, Fatigue, and the Fut...

Redefining Success: Why I Walked Away