With the 2024 college football season underway, it's time to dive into the best practices for recruiting in College Football 25. The recruiting process is crucial for building a successful team, and how you manage your recruiting board, pipeline, and scholarship offers can make or break your season. Here's an all-in-one recruiting guide to help you navigate through preseason, the regular season, the Transfer Portal, and beyond.

How To Setup Your Recruiting Board

DO Offer at Least 35 Scholarships During Week 1

Offering scholarships early is one of the most valuable recruiting moves you can make. In College Football 25, the five points spent on scholarships are considered one of the best values in recruiting, and the sooner you can offer scholarships, the better. By Week 1, aim for at least 35 offers to maximize your recruitment chances. This allows you to get your foot in the door with plenty of recruits and see how things develop. Keep in mind that offering too many scholarships to too many prospects too soon can spread your recruiting resources thin, but having a solid base early gives you flexibility throughout the season.

DO Focus on Pipelines

Pipelines are one of the strongest factors in recruiting. They serve as multipliers for your recruiting actions, meaning that if you recruit within your pipeline states or regions, you have a higher chance of securing those players.

Pink Pipeline (5): The strongest pipeline multiplier, giving you a huge advantage.

Blue Pipeline (4): Still very strong, though not as potent as Pink.

Gold Pipeline (3): Moderate impact but still valuable.

Silver Pipeline (2) & Bronze Pipeline (1): Least impactful but still better than having no pipeline at all.

Actionable Tip: Always check your pipeline rankings in your My Pipelines section. Prioritize recruits within strong pipeline areas (pink or blue) and be realistic about targets outside of these regions. If you're a top-tier school, it may not be worth pursuing prospects with weak pipelines unless they have a high interest in you.

DO Pay Attention to Dealbreakers Like Playing Time

Playing time expectations are crucial, especially in the early stages of recruiting. If you offer scholarships to too many players in the same position, prospects may drop their interest due to concerns about the potential for early playing time. Always check each recruit's "Playing Time" preference before offering a scholarship.

Other common dealbreakers to watch out for:

Championship Contender: Some recruits will prioritize teams with a strong chance of competing for championships.

Depth Chart: If a player believes they won't have a chance to start early due to a crowded position, they may drop their interest.

If a recruit suddenly loses interest, it's often a good idea to check for these dealbreakers. The best way to avoid this is to balance your scholarship offers carefully and manage playing time expectations.

DO NOT Fill Your Board with 2-Star Prospects in Week 1

As a top-tier program, you should avoid offering scholarships to players below 3 stars in Week 1. You can always recruit lower-rated players later in the year, so there's no reason to waste scholarship offers on players who won't significantly help your team.

If you're a lower-tier school, however, targeting 2-star recruits early might make more sense, especially if you're restricted by House Rules or limitations on targeting higher-rated players. But as a strong program, you should prioritize higher-star recruits early in the season.

Actionable Tip: If you're a program with high aspirations (e.g., a championship contender), aim to focus on 4- or 5-star recruits in Week 1. You can always fill in your board with lower-rated players later, especially as players from other schools become more available through the Transfer Portal.

Managing Recruiting Throughout the Season

As the season progresses, your recruiting strategy needs to evolve based on results, team needs, and how players are performing on the field. Here's how to adjust your approach as the season moves forward:

DO Monitor Player Interest and Adjust Your Strategy

Players' interest in your program will fluctuate throughout the season, especially based on wins, losses, and your team's performance. Keep an eye on the recruits' interest levels after each week and adjust your recruiting board accordingly. If you're performing well, you may notice an increase in interest from higher-rated players.

DO Target Position-Specific Needs

As the season progresses, you'll have a better idea of where you need to focus on recruiting based on team performance. If a position group is weak or aging, prioritize those areas to fill with top recruits. For example, if your quarterback play is subpar, focus on targeting top-tier quarterbacks for the next season.

Managing the Transfer Portal

DO Use the Transfer Portal to Fill Gaps

The Transfer Portal is a valuable tool in College Football 25, and it should be used wisely to fill gaps in your roster. Whether it's for immediate help in a short-term position or to add depth, the Transfer Portal allows you to target players who can help your team in the short term.

Targeting Senior Players: Often, you'll find seniors who want to play one last season and could be a great fit for your team, especially if you have a position of need.

Keep an Eye on Transfer Portal Trends: Players who don't see playing time on their current team or are looking for a championship contender often enter the Transfer Portal. Keep track of these trends, as they can provide valuable opportunities.

DO NOT Overload on Transfers

While the Transfer Portal is a great resource, it's also important not to rely too heavily on transfers, especially for long-term success. Build your program through recruiting and only use the portal to fill in short-term gaps.

Offseason and Preparing for Next Year

DO Plan for the Offseason Early

Recruiting doesn't stop once the season is over. After bowl games and the end of the regular season, it's crucial to begin planning for next season's recruiting cycle. Analyze your team's needs, check which recruits have committed, and begin setting up your recruiting board for the next season.

DO Scout and Develop Your Pipeline States

By the time the offseason rolls around, you should have a firm grasp of which states or regions are crucial to your team's success. Continue to build and develop your pipeline areas, focusing on strengthening those regions for future seasons.

Conclusion

To be successful in College Football 25, it's essential to have a balanced, proactive recruiting strategy. Start early, manage your scholarships wisely, and focus on players within strong pipeline areas, for players looking to jump-start their recruiting campaigns, having enough CFB 25 Coins or NCAA Football 25 Coins can be a game-changer. Whether you're looking to secure top talent or manage your recruiting budget efficiently, purchasing coins can give you the edge you need to build your program into a powerhouse.