What to know about the 'evaluation period' in college football's recruiting calendar

The NCAA's recruiting calendar can be very intimidating with all its dates, bars and colors, but James Steward clears it all up.

The Next College Student Athlete recruiting coach sits down with MaxPreps host Steve Montoya for a 'Making the Jump' podcast not only to explain each period of the calendar, but he offers helpful advice for potential college players and their parents.

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In this segment, Steward breaks down the evaluation period, which is where coaches come watch the potential college player compete. 

"During the fall, obviously, the coaches are getting out on Friday night and watching games," Steward said. "If it's a coach you've been communicating with, you might see them up in the stands."



"For those guys who want to play Division 1 football, this is an incredibly important time in the process," Steward said. "If you're a junior and you think you're a D1 kid, you should be getting visits in that time. If you're not, then it's a sign you might need to look at other levels."

Whatever one does, Steward says, don't get discouraged. Just be realistic.

In the entire 23-minute podcast, Steward offers countless tips to aspiring college football players, though the NCSA also counsels prep athletes pursuing all other sports.

Steward spends the rest of the podcast talking about the importance of highlight tapes, timely release of transcripts and taking college tests, evaluation camps, social media, your high school coach, picking the appropriate college and learning to communicate with adults.

He notes as vital as the high school coach can be in the process, it's not something a potential college player should count on.

"Getting you recruited is not their job," he said. "If they are able to help you and willing, that is a bonus and thank them immensely. Absolutely, take their assistance.

"But ultimately this is going above and beyond their job description. This is on you. If you want to play college football, it's not the coaches' job, it's not mom and dad's job. You're going to be the guy going out and doing that."