The landscape of college soccer has shifted dramatically.

Conference realignment, Name-Image-Likeness and new roster limits represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the past year.

Landing a spot with a college program is never a straightforward experience prior to these changes. Even with the increase in playing opportunities across various club platforms, and the impact of video, landing a spot in the right environment and level is no easy task.

A new video service launching at the end of October is aimed at easing at least part of the journey: The Lens. 

“The college recruitment process is a challenging journey for both players and families,” Andy Kaasa, COO and one of the Owners of The Lens, told TDS. “One of the biggest obstacles is understanding what level a player realistically fits into in college soccer to be successful and have the best experience possible.”

The goal of The Lens is to help a prospective student athlete identify the level he or she should target in the recruiting process. Kaasa has brought on Ben Waldrum (Pitt) and Gibbs Keaton (UTEP) as part of the advisory staff. They have lined up a slew of current college coaches who will assist in the evaluation of a player looking to land a roster spot at the right program.

Players begin by completing a questionnaire that outlines key details about themselves as athletes. They’ll also submit up to three full-length game videos. A coach will review those games and fill out a Lens Player Evaluation, providing candid feedback on technical, tactical, athletic, and mental aspects. Coaches do not receive any contact information or communicate directly with players to maintain NCAA compliance, and players also won’t know which coach completed their evaluation, ensuring impartiality.

The main objective, according to Kaasa, is to not necessarily limit a player’s options, but expand them.

“We aim to broaden players' perspectives by offering a professional evaluation of the level they should realistically target, along with guidance on different conferences that fit their skill set and potential,” he said.

It can also serve as a motivation for younger players, as they look to improve and seek to figure out ways to reach the highest level possible. As rosters in Division I are reportedly set to be limited to 28 players, per the pending NCAA legislation, The Lens can serve as a marker for a player at the start of his or her recruiting journey.

“With the new roster restrictions it will be even more important for players to target the right level of school for them because there will be less spaces on the Power 4 teams,” Kaasa said. “This will move a lot of very good players into Mid Major Schools or Division II schools and increase the talent pool for coaches to recruit from while decreasing available roster spots.”

No matter where a player is in the search for a college soccer opportunity, The Lens is a valuable new tool that provides an impartial assessment from a current coach.

“Video can spark a coach’s interest, but our evaluation goes a step further by giving players insight into where they stand within the college system, which can lead to more targeted recruiting efforts,” Kaasa said.

Click here to learn more about The Lens and take the next step in your recruiting journey.

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