The latest patch for College Football 25 significantly changed the recruiting process. While the primary goal was to remove most of the recruiting strategies discovered during early access, the update also aimed to smooth out some of the pain points players had been experiencing.
Despite the adjustments, there’s still a lot to love about recruiting in the game. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting started, this guide will help you navigate the updated system and maximize your recruiting success.
Understand your Team Needs
You’ll lose players to graduation every year, entering the draft, and the portal. Luckily, players can at least understand where the greatest need lies based on which positions have graduating seniors.
Check the “Team Needs” page to view high-risk positions that must be buffed through recruiting. You’ll also see if a player fits a need based on an indicator in the Prospect List. Try not to over-recruit for positions that you are already stacked!
Fixing the Recruiting Visit Glitch in College Football 25
The biggest win from the latest update is the fix for the recruiting visit glitch. Previously, players were losing recruits due to issues with scheduling visits. Now, you can schedule your visits perfectly, ensuring you don’t lose out on top talent due to a technical issue. This fix alone is a game-changer, allowing for smoother and more effective recruiting strategies.
Use the Recruiter Skill Tree
There are three archetypes for your coach in dynasty mode, but everyone should select Recruiter to give you the edge in the long run. Not only will it make it easier to scout players, you’ll also gain additional hours to put into each recruiter.
The gains may seem small at first, but you’ll need every benefit you can get to win against the more prestigious teams. I recommend putting some points into scouting your high-priority positions first. For me, this meant spending points on the secondary to bolster my pass defense.
Prioritizing Your Targets
One of the key takeaways from the updated recruiting system is the importance of focusing on one recruit at a time, especially when it comes to four- and five-star players. The new system makes it harder to simultaneously spread your resources across multiple top-tier recruits. Instead, channel your time and effort into locking down one recruit before moving on to the next. This focused approach can help you secure commitments more efficiently.
For instance, if you’re targeting two five-star quarterbacks, it’s best to go all-in on one before focusing on the second. This strategy ensures that you don’t spread your resources too thin, which can result in losing out on both recruits.
Utilizing the New Recruiting Feedback System in College Football 25
The update introduced a more detailed feedback system, allowing you to see how your actions influence recruits week by week. This visual representation of your recruiting efforts helps you make informed decisions about where to allocate your time and resources. For example, offering a scholarship or scheduling a visit now provides clear feedback, making it easier to adjust your strategy based on what’s working and what’s not.
The update also clarifies that the earlier you lock in a recruit, the better. High-rated recruits are moving through their stages faster, so it’s crucial to be proactive. Don’t hesitate to schedule visits as soon as possible, and use the visual feedback to fine-tune your approach.
Understand your School’s Strengths
Each recruit cares about different aspects of a school when deciding where to commit to. College Football 25 features more than a dozen different dimensions that can impact how interested a prospect is in your school.
Check the ‘My School’ tab to see where your school is strongest. You may need to work on improving a certain score if you are losing out on ideal recruits because of a low rating.
Hard Selling and Scheduling Visits
Once you’ve locked in on a recruit, it’s time to deploy the heavy artillery: hard selling and scheduling visits. The new system makes it easier to understand when and how to use these tactics effectively. After adding a recruit to your board and offering a scholarship, if you see positive feedback, go all-in with hard selling and scheduling visits. This one-two punch can quickly secure a commitment, especially if you’re early in the recruiting cycle.
In cases where multiple recruits are vying for your attention, prioritize the one showing the most interest. For example, if you notice that offering a scholarship or sending a DM yields significant progress, it’s worth focusing your efforts on that recruit. Conversely, if a recruit doesn’t respond well to your initial efforts, it might be time to shift your focus elsewhere.
Strategic Use of Recruiting Hours in College Football 25
The updated system allows you to allocate your recruiting hours more effectively. Start by sending the house (using the maximum number of hours) to gauge a recruit’s interest. If you see positive results, you can scale back and use a more targeted approach, like hard selling or social media outreach.
However, be mindful of how many recruits you’re pursuing simultaneously. Going after too many high-rated recruits at once can dilute your efforts and lead to missed opportunities. Instead, focus on one or two top recruits, secure their commitments, and then move on to the next.
Look out for Gems
After scouting a recruit, you’ll get to view their key attributes. In some cases, fully scouting a recruit will uncover a gem! This means the recruit’s attributes are more in line with a prospect who is one star higher than them.
For example, a four-star recruit who is a gem will have similar attributes to a five-star recruit with no gem. Conversely, a “bust” will work in the opposite direction. A four-star bust is closer to a three-star prospect in terms of attributes.
The Importance of Visits and Timing
One of the biggest lessons from the update is the critical role that visits play in the recruiting process. Even if you’re getting positive feedback from other recruiting efforts, a well-timed visit can be the difference between landing a recruit and losing them to a rival school. Schedule visits early and prioritize your top targets to maximize your chances of success.
Additionally, monitor how recruits respond to your efforts week by week. Use the visual feedback to make informed decisions about when to go all-in and when to hold back. With the right strategy and timing, you can build a recruiting class that prepares your program for long-term success.
Whether you’re new to College Football 25 or a seasoned veteran, these updated recruiting strategies will help you adapt to the latest changes and continue to dominate the recruiting trail. Happy recruiting!
