What's in the Playbook?
Aiming to go D3? Our playbook gives you a clear, step-by-step roadmap to the recruiting process - what coaches value, key milestones from early high school through application season, and how to build a target list of schools that fit your needs.
We’ll demystify researching D3 programs and how to stand out without chasing every camp or showcase.
The modules cover things like writing emails to coaches, building an effective highlight tape, using social media well, planning ID camps and visits, and navigating application strategy.
You’ll get templates, checklists, and an outreach plan to communicate confidently, learn how to compare financial packages, and avoid common missteps.
By the end, you’ll have a prioritized school list and a decision framework you can use to land your best-fit opportunity.
What You Will Learn
We created this Playbook because we kept hearing from families that they were overwhelmed by recruiting.
We carefully crafted every lesson to give you a clear, step-by-step path through the process. From defining your goals to coach outreach and follow-up - with practical templates you can use right away.
It’s organized into short, focused modules so you can make steady progress in just minutes a day.
You’ll avoid common mistakes, build confidence quickly, and always know exactly what to do next - like having a friendly Recruiting coach in your pocket to replace guesswork with a gameplan.
Curriculum
Your Instructor
I’m Karl Barkley, and I'm the founder of D3Direct. I’ve spent years helping student-athletes and families navigate the D3 recruiting landscape. Working closely with players, parents, and coaches has shown me what actually moves the process forward - clear communication, smart planning, and an honest understanding of fit.
We created the 'D3 Recruiting Playbook' to share those lessons in a simple, practical way. I’m passionate about making the D3 path more accessible and empowering recruits with tools to confidently take their next step.