Since its introduction in 2018, the transfer portal has fundamentally impacted college soccer, rapidly altering roster construction and player movement. And with the number of entries more than quadrupling since that time, it’s only gotten more chaotic and impossible to adequately navigate.

That’s where Verified Athletics, a database that collects more than a dozen data points on every player across all NCAA and NJCAA collegiate levels, has been a game changer. Instead of spending hours sorting through thousands of names, coaches can quickly identify players who truly fit their needs. 

Graham Winkworth, head coach of the Arizona State women’s soccer team, touched on the varying benefits of the platform. “Verified is an excellent tool for our program. Sometimes you feel as a coach there are not enough hours in a day to complete all your work. Verified helps us to stay organized in an area of college sport that has exploded over the last few years.”

At the same time, it gives athletes a better chance to be seen—surfacing the right players in a crowded market where many would otherwise go unnoticed. This is further enhanced by surveying athletes on behalf of its customers, capturing unique, firsthand information that helps uncover high-quality prospects others might miss.

Those data collection capabilities is something Indiana assistant coach Christian Lomeli holds at high value. “The platform has allowed our staff to quickly identify, evaluate, and track prospects with verified data, saving significant time in the early stages of recruiting. The real-time insights, in-depth scoring metrics, and measurable data have improved the efficiency and precision of our evaluations. Ultimately, Verified Athletics has helped us make more informed decisions and connect with the right players who fit our program.”

Coaches can actually filter down to the players who fit what they are looking for—whether that’s position, minutes played, location, academics, or production. The platform also rates each prospect on a scale up to 100 helping coaches understand which players might be best suited for them. It turns a completely overwhelming process into something organized and manageable.

Wake Forest Associate Head Coach Dave Brenner spoke highly of that filtering process. "We've relied on Verified Athletics as a vital tool when navigating the transfer portal over the last several years. In today's environment with the massive numbers of players entering the portal, a system like Verified Athletics that allows us to quickly search, filter, and compare players across all levels of NCAA Collegiate soccer is invaluable.”

The program has become a crucial tool for a lot of programs across all levels. Whether it is a Division I school trying to find undervalued talent, or a Division III institution looking for very specific fits, it just makes the entire process more efficient and effective.

Kyle Fletcher, the head coach of Thomas College, an NCAA DIII men’s soccer school, elaborated on the tailoring benefits of the platform. “Verified has changed the way we are able to recruit, with their program we are able to identify transfers that fit what we are looking for and in turn focus on transfers who are realistically interested, saving us valuable time.” 

With the transfer portal now deeply embedded in college soccer, Verified Athletics has become indispensable for programs aiming to leverage their limited time and resources.

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