“You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else.” -Anonymous
For some athletes, the answer is simple:
They want their education paid for.
For others, it’s about earning a degree that prepares them for life after their playing days are over.
Some want the complete college experience — competing in their sport, building lifelong friendships, growing in independence, and discovering who they are.
Others are driven by the opportunity to be a starter and make a real impact on their team.
And for a few, the goal is competing at the highest level and chasing a conference title or a national championship or becoming a professional athlete.
Here’s the key:
There is no right or wrong answer.
But there is a big mistake.
The mistake is going through the recruiting process without knowing what truly matters to you.
Too many athletes let the process shape their goals instead of the other way around. They chase attention. They chase social media recognition. They chase the biggest name school that shows interest. They chase someone else’s definition of success.
And when that happens, decisions start getting made for the wrong reasons.
A “big name” school might not offer the academic program you need.
A high-level program might mean limited playing time.
A scholarship opportunity might come with a culture that isn’t the right fit.
A championship-caliber team might not give you the overall experience you’re hoping for.
None of those things are problems — unless they don’t match your personal Super Bowl.
That’s why understanding your ultimate championship changes everything.
When you know what you’re really after:
- You target the right schools instead of chasing every opportunity
- You ask better questions during calls and visits
- You evaluate offers based on fit, not status
- You make decisions with purpose
- You stop comparing your journey to someone else’s
The recruiting process becomes less emotional and more intentional.
And that matters, because this decision isn’t just about where you’ll play.
It’s about where you’ll live.
Where you’ll study.
Who you’ll be surrounded by.
And who you’ll become over the next four years.
Before you chase offers, rankings, or recognition, take some time to step back and reflect.
Ask yourself:
Why do I really want to play in college?
What would make this experience feel like a win for me?
If everything went right, what would my college journey look like?
Your answers don’t have to impress anyone else.
They just need to be honest.
Because once you know your Super Bowl, something powerful happens.
You stop chasing the biggest name.
You stop worrying about what everyone else is doing.
You stop measuring your journey against social media announcements and commitment graphics.
Instead, you start making decisions that move you toward the environment that fits your goals, your values, and your priorities.
And that’s what significant recruiting really looks like.
Not the loudest commitment.
Not the most attention.
Not the highest level at any cost.
Success is finding the place where you can grow as a student, as an athlete, and as a person — in a way that matches your definition of winning.
Because the goal of recruiting isn’t to impress people.
The goal is to find the place where you can thrive while becoming the best version of yourself.
So before you send the next email…
Before you schedule the next visit…
Before you get caught up in offers, rankings, or comparisons…
Ask yourself one more time:
What’s my Super Bowl?
Because when you understand your ultimate championship, you won’t just choose a school.
You’ll choose the right path.
If you’re looking for more tools to approach your recruiting journey with purpose and perspective, visit CoachMattRogers.com. You’ll find Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes, sport-specific Recruit’s Journals, the Significant Recruiting Launchpad, weekly blogs and podcasts, and opportunities to schedule a recruiting strategy session.
Schools, clubs, and organizations can also schedule Coach Matt to speak to their community about building a healthier, more intentional recruiting experience.
