RecruitTruth Methodology
The RT Score isn't a prediction. It's a systematic evaluation of the same criteria college coaches actually use, applied consistently across every athlete, every sport, every division level.
0–100
Composite Score
Seven weighted categories, each reflecting a real recruiting factor
3
Division Tiers
Safety · Best Fit · Stretch — where you're most competitive right now
10+
Sports Supported
Sport-specific measurables and stat models for each
The Seven Categories
Each category maps to something a college coach evaluates. The weights reflect how heavily coaches actually prioritize each factor when making roster decisions.
Score Composition
Athletic Measurables
Performance Statistics
Academic Profile
Film & Highlights
Media & Social Presence
Character & Recognition
Recruiting Activity
* Film score applies at a 1.5x multiplier after a paid Film Review.
Physical dimensions (height, weight, and sport-specific measurements), competition level of your program, and conference strength. These are the first filters every college coach applies. A 5'9" center is not a D1 center regardless of stats.
Season stats in your sport, varsity experience, and starter status. Stats validate that your measurables translate to production. A physically gifted athlete who doesn't produce at their level scores lower than one who does.
GPA, standardized test scores (ACT/SAT), intended major, and NCAA Clearinghouse status. Every college division has academic minimums. Athletes who don't meet them are ineligible regardless of ability.
Film quality is scored by a sport-specific coach on a 10-point scale and carries the highest multiplier of any category. Our paid Film Review covers full game film — not highlight reels — evaluated by a coach who played or coached at the college level in your sport. Coaches watch film before making contact; this category reflects that.
Twitter/X, Instagram, and MaxPreps profiles. Coaches research athletes online before reaching out. A strong, clean social presence signals professionalism and gives coaches confidence in the recruit.
Athletic awards, honors, and coach verification. Awards signal performance beyond individual stats. Coach verification (when a high school or club coach confirms your data) adds credibility that self-reported numbers alone cannot.
Demonstrated interest from college programs and recruiting engagement. Actual coach contact is one of the strongest signals of legitimate division-level fit.
Division Placement
Your composite score is mapped to a division tier using score thresholds calibrated against NCAA and NAIA participation data. Three outputs are calculated: a Safety (where you have a clear edge), a Best Fit (where you're most competitive), and a Stretch (where you could compete with score improvement).
NCAA D1 (Power Four)
Power Four conferences. Elite national programs at the highest level of college athletics.
NCAA D1 (High Major)
High-Major D1 programs. Competitive at the national level with full scholarship potential.
NCAA D1 (Mid-Major)
Mid-Major D1 programs. Strong national competition with significant scholarship opportunities.
NCAA D1 (Low Major)
Low-Major D1 programs. Legitimate Division I competition with scholarship eligibility.
NCAA D2
Strong regional programs. Partial to full athletic scholarships. Broad geographic and academic diversity.
NAIA
Over 250 member schools with full scholarship eligibility. Often overlooked but highly competitive.
NCAA D3
No athletic scholarships. High academic standards. Excellent for athletes who want to compete while prioritizing academics.
JUCO / 2-Year
Two-year programs that provide a path to D1 and D2 transfer opportunities. Ideal for athletes building academic eligibility or looking to improve.
Placement is a composite result, not a single threshold. Two athletes can appear similar on paper and land in different tiers depending on sport, position, and how their category scores are distributed.
Model Integrity
Recruiting evaluation services have existed for decades. What makes the RT Score different is transparency, consistency, and grounding in the same data sources coaches use.
These inputs are the same ones coaches use.
We are not using novel AI or proprietary black-box signals. We measure height, weight, sport measurables, GPA, test scores, film, awards, and coach contact — the exact same checklist every college recruiting coordinator runs manually. The RT Score systematizes what coaches already do so athletes can see where they stand before wasting months pursuing the wrong programs.
Division minimums are grounded in NCAA and NAIA data.
Every threshold in the scoring engine maps to published NCAA participation averages, eligibility minimums, and recruiting benchmarks. A height cutoff for a D1 position isn't arbitrary. It reflects what 85%+ of scholarship athletes at that position actually measure. We don't set standards; we reflect existing ones.
Score floors prevent gaming and protect accuracy.
Once an athlete reaches a score, it can only decrease if their GPA drops, not by removing film links, deleting social profiles, or other edits. This mirrors how recruiting actually works: a coach who already saw your Hudl doesn't un-see it. The floor ensures scores reflect peak verified performance.
Human review validates the hardest-to-fake category.
Film carries the highest multiplier of any category specifically because it's the strongest predictor of athletic division fit. Film scores are set by a RecruitTruth evaluator who actually watches the footage. They cannot be self-reported or inflated through profile edits.
Committed athlete outcomes validate the model in real time.
Every time an athlete marks themselves committed on their dashboard, we record their committed school and division. We compare that to their RT Score prediction at time of evaluation. As this dataset grows, it provides empirical validation of accuracy. The model proves itself through outcomes, not claims.
Not a guarantee
The RT Score tells you where you're competitive based on your data. Roster spots depend on coach needs, timing, geography, and relationships that no evaluation system can predict.
Not a ranking
You're not scored against other athletes in the database. Your score reflects your profile against division-level benchmarks, not a leaderboard.
Not a substitute for film
A high score without quality film will not convert coach interest into offers. Film carries the highest multiplier of any category for exactly this reason. It's the hardest thing to fake.
Not static
Your score changes as you update your profile. Better stats, new awards, a film review, or coach verification all move the number. Your score is a snapshot, not a sentence.
Ready to see your score?
No credit card. No recruiting service fees. Just an honest look at where your profile stands and what division level you fit right now.
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