As you embark on your coaching journey, let's dive into the essentials of building your team. Discover how to recruit top talent and assemble the perfect players for your roster.

ASSESS YOUR SCHOOL'S NEEDS

Before diving into recruitment, assess your school's needs. Identify the key talent areas needed to strengthen and develop your roster. Recruiting is a major element of dynasty mode, with over 3,500 prospects to recruit from each season. You'll need to scout to unlock ratings and research them to learn what they care about.

RECRUITING PHASES

Recruiting is built around three distinct phases: discovery, pitch, and close.

• Discovery: Used to find which prospects to target. Recruit based on your team's needs and your goals as a coach. The sooner you discover how they align with your program, the better. During this phase, you're selling your program to the recruit. How well your school aligns with their motivations will determine your success.

• Pitch: From the Recruiting Board tab, you can research prospects on social media, DM the player, contact friends and family, or "send the house." You have limited recruiting time per week and per player, so manage your time carefully.

• Close: Bring a recruit in for a visit and make your program have a lasting impression. Choose an activity that aligns with their motivations for a better impact. When a prospect's interest meter is maxed out, they'll commit to their top school. Prospects officially sign during the early signing period or on National Signing Day.

SCHOOL GRADES AND RECRUITING

Throughout your dynasty, your school grades will define the strengths and weaknesses of your program. Your school is graded from D-minus to A-plus across 14 categories, found in the My School tab. These grades will change and impact recruits' interest. Improve your grades to rank higher than other schools.

PROSPECT LIST AND MOTIVATIONS

During the recruiting process, examine your prospect list. Prospective players have different motivations and deal breakers, which could determine if you can recruit them. Deal Breakers are factors recruits care about, like proximity to home or playtime. Use filters like ranking, class, and pipeline to search for recruits.

SCOUTING AND MENTALS

Once you pick your recruits, learn more about them and their interests to scout thoroughly. Sort your recruiting board by rank, interest, and recruiting stage. The more time you spend scouting, the more you'll learn about their abilities and mentals. Mentals enhance traits, giving players and teams an edge in leadership, pre-snap reads, and staying calm under pressure.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Players can have up to five physical abilities, determined by their archetype. Physical abilities are on-field skills, like handling pressure or disrupting the pocket.

RECRUITING ACTIONS

Learn what your recruit cares about by using recruiting actions like offering scholarships or sending the house. Use every resource to persuade a recruit.

TRANSFER PORTAL

The transfer portal opens after the signing period and is part of your offseason work. Recruit high school players who haven't signed or bring players from other schools. Your players might enter the portal based on motivations and dealbreakers. Decide if you want to persuade these players or let them walk.

COMMITMENTS AND TOP CLASSES

Once you get a commitment, as long as your grades don't fall below their dealbreaker requirements, they'll be on your team next season. Use the Top Classes tab to see a breakdown of your commits and filter by high school and transfers.

LEAD YOUR TEAM TO GLORY

Now you're ready to lead your team to glory and prepare to do it all again next year. Subscribe to learn more.