Most families believe NCAA recruiting starts with exposure. Camps, showcases, highlight videos, emails to coaches.

But that’s not where recruiting actually begins.

In this episode of Grind and Grades, we break down why so many NCAA opportunities disappear before recruiting even really starts, and why eligibility, not exposure, is the true gatekeeper.

We talk through:

• Why exposure feels like progress, even when it isn’t

• How NCAA eligibility quietly filters athletes out early

• What families should be doing at each stage, from middle school to senior year

• What coaches are actually looking at before recruiting moves forward

• Why eligibility issues don’t mean the journey is over, and when a pivot can make sense

• The real story behind why Collegiate Goals focuses on eligibility first

If you’re a parent trying to support your athlete and want clarity before spending time and money in the wrong places, this episode will help you understand where to start and why order matters.

To help families take that first step, we’ve also created a free NCAA Ready Checklist. It’s a simple way to check eligibility readiness and identify gaps early.

You can access it at CollegiateGoals.com.

Canadian athletes can do everything right and still lose NCAA eligibility. In this episode of Grind and Grades, we explain why this happens, when families usually find out, and what can be done early to avoid eligibility surprises.

Kyle, the founder of Collegiate Goals, shares the real story behind the platform and how guiding his son through the NCAA journey inspired him to help Canadian families. From eligibility struggles to the moment his son stepped onto campus, Kyle explains why he created tools that make the path clearer for parents and athletes. A heartfelt episode for anyone chasing the NCAA dream.