Connor Maki on Growth, Preparation, and What It Takes to Succeed in College Soccer
From competing at the highest levels of youth soccer with the New York Red Bulls Academy and IMG Academy, to winning a Big Ten Championship with the University of Wisconsin, Connor Maki has had a front-row seat to the commitment required to succeed at the next level. Ranked a Top-100 recruit in the country, he experienced firsthand both the opportunities and challenges of the college game. That perspective became the foundation for NXT Prospect, the company he co-founded to guide the next generation of athletes through the often overwhelming recruiting process.
Today, NXT Prospect has helped over 500 players reach college soccer by combining personalized mentorship, a thriving free community, and structured tools like the NXT Academy. Connor’s mission goes beyond recruitment—through NXT, he teaches athletes the discipline, habits, and lifestyle choices that prepare them to not only earn a roster spot, but to thrive once they get there.
Let’s hear what he’s got to share…
1. How did the environment at elite academies shape your mindset? How can players who don’t have this exposure learn the same standards?
CM: One of the most important lessons I learned in my time at elite academies was the value of consistency and balance. At New York Red Bulls and IMG Academy I was surrounded by some of the best players in the country and the world. There were times when I started, times when I sat on the bench, and even times when I got cut and had to fight my way back. What those moments taught me is that your highs cannot be too high and your lows cannot be too low. You have to stay steady, keep working, and focus on what you can control. That consistency is what prepared me to compete at the college level. For players who do not have access to those environments the truth is it does not matter as long as you hold yourself to the right standard. If you show up to practice every day with the intent to do things the right way, push yourself in drills, help your teammates, and hold yourself accountable, you are building the same habits that academies demand. I know it sounds cliché, but setting that higher standard for yourself will prepare you for college and beyond, no matter where you are playing right
2. How did transferring schools impact your career and what did it teach you about adaptability?
CM: I really enjoy this question because transferring has become such a big topic in college soccer today. A lot of players we work with are always weighing whether it is the right move, and in many cases it can end up being one of the most important decisions of your career if you have aspirations of playing in the MLS. When I transferred in 2015 from Xavier, there was no transfer portal. The process was completely different. You had to sit down in your coach’s office, explain your decision, and then hope he would agree to sign your release. Coaches even had the ability to block transfers, which could leave a player stuck in a really tough situation. For me, the decision was more about the school experience than soccer. I wanted to be at a big football school and get the full American college experience, which is how I ended up at Wisconsin. Looking back, was it the best move purely for soccer? Probably not. If your dream is to play professionally, you have to look closely at the relationships you have with your coaches. Recruitment is one thing, but what really matters is whether those coaches continue to be honest, supportive, and loyal once you arrive on campus. Transferring also taught me a lot about adaptability. When you walk into a new locker room as a sophomore, you are the outsider. Teams already have their established groups and their go-to guys, so you have to prove yourself all over again. On top of that, I dealt with injuries right away, which made the adjustment even harder. It forced me to catch up quickly and taught me the importance of resilience in new environments. The biggest lesson I took from transferring is that it has to be done with real intention. It is not just about chasing a bigger name or a better environment. You have to look at the full picture. Who are the coaches you will be learning from, and will they truly invest in your development? What kind of culture are you stepping into, and does it align with who you are as a player and as a person? Transferring can absolutely open doors, but it can also set you back if it is for the wrong reasons. Make sure your decision is grounded in growth, not just change, because the school you choose will shape both your soccer career and your
3. What lifestyle traps (distractions, habits, choices) do you see holding young players back most often?
CM: The biggest lifestyle trap I see holding young players back today is the obsession with social media. Too many kids are focused on impressing people online before they have actually achieved anything on the field. There are pages blowing up their heads, making them feel like stars before they have even set foot in college or proven themselves as professionals. Social media can be a great tool, but it cannot define you. What matters is knowing who you are as a player and what kind of work you are putting in every single day. A great highlight tape or a flashy post might get you noticed at first, but when a coach shows up in person, your performance on the field is what will decide your future. The players who thrive are the ones who stay grounded and humble, who focus on the process rather than trying to look like they have already made it. At the end of the day, you are either going to college or you are going to play professional soccer. If you stay committed to your goals and outwork the player who spends all his time chasing likes, you will be the one who earns the career.
4. In your experience, what daily habits and mindset shifts separate the players who make it in college soccer from those who don’t?
CM: This is one of my favorite questions because I was fortunate enough to live with and be best friends with Chris Mueller, who went on to become one of the best college players in the country. His senior year he had eight goals and twenty assists in the Big Ten and earned All-American honors. Watching him every day showed me exactly what separates the players who succeed from those who fall short. It comes down to daily inputs and consistency. Chris knew exactly what his goals were and made sure every part of his routine pushed him closer to them. Too many players operate at 80 or 90 percent and think that is enough. In reality, if you want to make it in a highly competitive environment like college soccer, every action you take has to align with your ultimate goal. If your dream is to become a professional, then every training session, every workout, every lifestyle choice should reflect that. One of our favorite books was Relentless by Tim Grover, which talks about athletes becoming completely locked in and obsessed with their craft. That mindset is the difference maker. The players who build daily habits around discipline, obsession, and consistency are the ones who win at the college level and beyond
5. How can younger players start building discipline now that will carry them through the demands of college soccer?
CM: This is a really interesting question because in order to build discipline you first have to understand what it truly means. For me, discipline comes down to three things: purpose, consistency, and accountability. Purpose is the reason behind what you are doing. Why are you pushing yourself and why do you want to achieve this goal? Consistency is showing up every single day and sticking to the habits that move you forward. Accountability is making sure you have a system, whether it is holding yourself to a standard or having someone else keep you honest, that ensures you follow through. Any young player can start putting these into practice today. If you are twelve years old and you decide to wake up before school to get your push-ups in, do that for thirty days. It will become a habit, and from there you can start adding more non-negotiables into your day. Pick two or three things you are committed to doing no matter what and let them shape your routine. This will allow you to develop the skills at a young age that carry into high school, help you become a successful academy player, and eventually prepare you for college. College coaches love players who already show accountability and discipline because those traits are just as important as talent when it comes to competing at the next level.
6. What qualities do college coaches value most in recruits—beyond talent?
CM: After talent, the first thing every college coach looks for is character. Character is not just about whether you are a good teammate. It is the complete picture of who you are as a person. It captures your discipline, your work ethic, your humility, how you treat your family, and how you carry yourself every day. Coaches want players who are reliable, unselfish, and who will add to the culture of the program, even when they are not on the field. Some of the best college players I have ever seen were not the most naturally talented, but they had outstanding character. They were leaders in the locker room, they built up the people around them, and they found ways to be assets to the team no matter what role they were in. I can give you a very specific example. Recently I was working with a highly touted player who had offers from schools like UNC and Duke. On paper he had everything, but after one bad moment in a game where he walked off the field with a poor attitude, every major program stopped recruiting him. That is how quickly character can change your future. You can be the most talented player in the world, but if your teammates do not respect you, if your coaches cannot trust you, and if people do not want to be around you, you will never be successful at any level.
7. How can a player show maturity and discipline in the way they communicate with coaches?
CM: This is a great question for young players because I feel like the art of communication is being lost in today’s world of social media. The number one thing I tell all of my players is that if you are ever around a coach in person, walk straight up, look him in the eye, give a firm handshake, and introduce yourself. That simple act immediately shows maturity, confidence, and that you are ready to have a real conversation. Beyond that, communication with coaches is about preparation. Do not go into a conversation unprepared. Have questions ready about the team, the program, or even their recent games and style of play. When you show up having done your homework, it communicates respect and seriousness about your future. There is also discipline in how you communicate. Discipline means responding to texts or emails in a timely and professional way, addressing coaches respectfully, and keeping your messages clear and to the point. Coaches notice when players take communication seriously because it reflects how they will carry themselves in a program. At the end of the day, the way you communicate is often the first impression a coach will have of you. He will remember whether you were confident, respectful, disciplined, and prepared, and that can set the tone for the entire recruiting process.
8. How can players show they are a cultural fit for a program, not just a good player?
CM: The culture of a team is one of the most important things coaches try to protect. Bringing in the wrong player can disrupt the entire environment, so as a recruit your job is to show that you can adapt to and enhance the culture that already exists. One of the best ways to do this is by being observant. When you are on a visit, listen to what the players are saying and pay attention to their routines. Are they up early for extra runs? Do they stay after training to get more shots in? Do they have traditions like team meals or bonding activities? Noticing these details and bringing them up in conversations with coaches shows that you are engaged, respectful, and interested in contributing to the team beyond the field. Coaches value recruits who are cooperative, disciplined, and willing to add to the group dynamic rather than take away from it. As a freshman, you are rarely brought in to be the star right away. More often, you are expected to strengthen the locker room, build relationships, and keep developing until your opportunity comes. Showing that you are ready to embrace that role demonstrates that you are not just a good player but a true cultural fit for the program.
Preparation, process, and discipline create the foundation, while character and communication open the doors. Through NXT Prospect, Connor is helping the next generation of players understand those truths and put them into action. For anyone beginning their recruiting journey, his advice is clear: focus on what you can control, commit to growth, and let your habits speak louder than your highlight reel.
Learn more about how NXT Prospect is helping players get seen and reach the next level!
Thank you Connor for taking your time to chat with us this week!
