are College Swim Coaches still recruiting seniors?

It’s been a turbulent recruiting period. I can’t speak for every college program, but it’s clear that recent NCAA changes are reshaping the recruiting landscape.

Nearly all college coaches are navigating these updates in real time, adjusting their strategies on the fly without knowing exactly what’s coming next. In many cases, decisions are being influenced not just by the coaching staff, but by athletic directors and even university presidents.

Based on recent conversations I’ve had with college coaches, seniors still have opportunities to explore schools and connect with coaches.

Just this past week, I connected with four NCAA Division I coaches regarding a swimmer I help. These schools were an excellent fit for the athlete academically, socially, athletically, and geographically — and all four coaches responded positively, expressing genuine interest and asking that the swimmer reach out.

That said, many programs are now closing shop on the 2026 class and shifting their focus to the juniors in the class of 2027.

Regarding juniors, I am seeing the most success with those who took initiative last spring. These are last semester’s sophomores who built a recruiting strategy early and began reaching out to programs in the spring. They are reaping the benefits of an early and organized recruiting campaign. They’re already in meaningful conversations with college coaches, and some are beginning to lock in official visits for this fall, putting them at the front of their recruiting class.

In my experience, it’s imperative that swimmers aiming to compete in college not only be proactive in communicating with programs, but that they do so well before college coaches begin contacting their top prospects.

I have two key observations: first, the recruiting process is long; and second, persistence drives success.

Consistent, professional communication shows maturity, organization, and motivation. This approach has opened more doors for swimmers than almost anything else I’ve seen.

Recruiting can often feel unfamiliar, overwhelming, and unpredictable. In my opinion, the athletes who stay patient, persistent, and proactive are the ones who ultimately find the right fit. Keep your head down, and keep kicking.