With the opening week of the 2024 college football season behind us, it's time to delve into the intricacies of recruiting in College Football 25. This guide will take you step-by-step through the entire recruiting process, from the preseason all the way to the offseason, including the Transfer Portal, ensuring you're well-prepared for every stage of your coaching journey.
Setting Up Your Recruiting Board
The first critical step in the recruiting process is setting up your board. During Week 1, make sure to offer at least 35 scholarships. The five points you allocate to scholarships represent the best value in the entire recruiting process. This strategy has been championed by experts like Max Plays CFB, and it's a key factor in securing early commitments.
Pipeline states play a crucial role in your recruiting success. Strong pipelines can significantly increase your chances of landing top prospects. Although I won't go into detail about pipelines here, it's essential to understand their impact. There are five levels of pipeline strength, and mastering them is crucial to maintaining a competitive edge.
Another important factor to consider is Playing Time. If you stack your board with too many recruits at a particular position and offer them scholarships, some prospects may lose interest in your program. This is particularly true if they perceive a lack of available playing time. Similarly, factors like being a Championship Contender can also influence a recruit's decision to choose your school or give you the cold shoulder.
In Week 1, avoid filling your board with anything below 3-star prospects, if possible. If you're coaching a top-tier school, aim higher—avoid going below 4-star recruits. Lower-rated prospects can be targeted later in the year if needed. The only exception to this rule is if you're following specific House Rules, such as being a 2-star school that can't recruit above 3-star players outside of your pipeline.
Scouting: A Strategic Approach
Scouting is an essential part of recruiting, but it needs to be done strategically. Scout aggressively during the first week, but limit your scouting efforts in the weeks that follow. While discovering hidden gems is important, your recruiting hours are better spent getting players on campus. Hours are the only resource that can directly influence a recruit's decision, so use them wisely.
In terms of abilities, you don't need to memorize every minimum requirement, but knowing which abilities to prioritize can give you an edge. Here's a list of the best abilities to look for in recruits:
Top tier: Side Step, Shifty, Takeoff, Jammer, 360, Road Dog
Great: Quick Jump, Ballhawk, Field General, Mobile Deadeye, Headfirst, Wrap Up, Blanket Coverage, Pocket Disruptor
These abilities aren't the be-all and end-all, but they provide a solid foundation for evaluating potential recruits. If you see these abilities or know the ratings needed to achieve at least a bronze level in them, you can save valuable scouting hours.
If you're coaching a powerhouse program like Alabama or Georgia, you can afford to scout more thoroughly and focus on green gems that are 4-star or 5-star players. You can narrow down your board earlier in the process and still have plenty of hours to spend by then (at least 1,200 or more), allowing you to "waste" hours without significant consequences.
Navigating the Recruiting Interface
Don't let the game's interface deceive you. In dynasty mode, only 300 players can be displayed on any one screen. There are usually closer to 400 4-star recruits each year, so sorting by 4-star recruits alone won't show you everyone. To ensure you see all available recruits, sort by position when filtering 4-star and 3-star prospects. The same applies when sorting by My Pipelines—adding positions as filters will help uncover hidden talent.
When targeting recruits, focus on positions of need, but don't stress too much about positions like halfback (HB). You'll have opportunities to adjust player positions during the offseason, and certain positions like running back are easier to fill by converting wide receivers, tight ends, corners, and safeties. Flexibility is key, and understanding player archetypes will help you make the most of position changes.
Understanding Player Progression and Development Traits
Player progression is a critical component of College Football 25, and the game features one of the most sophisticated progression systems in any EA game. While EA doesn't explicitly explain this in the game, it's vital to grasp the basics.
Mental abilities are set from the start and cannot be earned or upgraded during a player's career. However, certain abilities like Road Dog and Field General are especially valuable, particularly at the Platinum level.
In terms of Development Traits, there's a range of outcomes to consider. A 4-star recruit with an Impact Development Trait may take longer to level up but will likely become a higher overall player. Conversely, while the Normal Development Trait is less desirable, a 5-star recruit with this trait will generally outperform a 3-star player with a higher development trait.
If you're fortunate enough to land players with Star and Elite Development Traits, prioritize getting them on the field early, even if it means redshirting them during their freshman year.
Final Tips for Maximizing Your Recruiting Success
Before diving into recruiting, review your team's schedule. While scheduling visits isn't the top priority, securing an "easy" home game around Week 4-6 can provide a significant advantage in locking down early commitments. Use this time to host key recruits and create momentum for the rest of your recruiting season.
By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to mastering the recruiting process in College Football 25. Whether you're rebuilding a struggling program or maintaining a dynasty, these strategies will help you secure the talent needed to compete at the highest level. And remember, College Football 25 Coins can be a valuable asset in managing your recruiting efforts, providing additional resources to gain the edge over your rivals.
MMOexp College Football 25 Team