Tunnel Vision: When Focus Becomes a Blind Spot in Your Recruiting Journey

Stuck chasing that one “dream school”? You might be missing better opportunities. Here's how to stay focused without losing perspective.

What Is Tunnel Vision in Recruiting?

Tunnel vision sounds like a good thing—after all, focus is a strength, right?

But in the world of college recruiting, tunnel vision can actually become a blind spot. It’s when you get so locked in on one goal—maybe it’s going D1 or getting that offer from your “dream school”—that you miss better-fit options or overlook important parts of the recruiting process.

When your entire plan hinges on one outcome, you risk putting your future on pause if it doesn’t go your way.

How Tunnel Vision Can Hurt Your Opportunities

Let’s be real. You’re working hard, staying consistent, and chasing your goals. That’s commendable. But here’s where tunnel vision can quietly trip you up:

• You ignore schools actively recruiting you

• You miss scholarship opportunities outside your “target” level

• You base your value on one school’s response—or lack of one

Picture yourself sprinting down a path with blinders on. You’re fast, driven, and determined—but what if your ideal opportunity is just outside your narrow line of sight?

Shift from Tunnel Vision to Strategic Vision

You don’t have to give up your dreams—you just need a better lens. Here’s how to stay focused and flexible:

• Widen your lens: Don’t rule out D2, D3, NAIA, or JUCO programs. Some of the best stories start in places you didn’t expect.

• Trust your fit: The right school is where you’ll thrive—athletically, academically, and personally.

• Layer your plan: Build relationships with your A, B, and C schools. Stay open. Stay ready. Stay strategic.

Game Plan Takeaway: Tunnel Vision Isn’t Always Bad—Until It Is

Having tunnel vision isn’t the enemy—staying stuck in it is. The athletes who win at this game? They adjust. They look up. They see the full court.

Keep your goals. Just don’t let them blind you from the game-changing opportunities already watching you.