Official Visits: What to Look For

July 8, 2026

An official visit is not a vacation. The school pays for your travel, food, and accommodations because they want you to commit. But you should be evaluating them just as much as they are evaluating you. Most players focus on the facilities and the campus tour. Those are nice. They are not what matters.

Here is what to pay attention to. Watch how the current players interact with each other during practice. Is there real connection or is it just polite? Sit in on a class if you can. Does the academic environment match what you need? Ask the players what they wish they had known before they committed. They will tell you the truth if you ask the right questions.

Also pay attention to the coach outside of the official tour. How do they talk to their players when there is no recruit around? That is the coach you will be dealing with for four years. A fancy weight room means nothing if the culture is not right. Trust what you feel in your gut during the visit. It is usually right.