The first week after Thanksgiving brings more than leftover turkey and the rush of holiday shopping.

It also means college recruiting season is back in swing.

As a former college coach and recruiting coordinator, here’s six things I looked for when meeting a prospective athlete face-to-face for the first time:

• BE THERE. Illnesses and emergencies happen, but whether a college coach schedules a meeting ahead of time or just drops in for a visit, it’s important that the player is at school. If you are the caliber of athlete who expects college interest, let your high school head coach know when you will be out, so he can inform the recruiter.
• CLEAN CUTS. First impressions mean a lot. Being dressed appropriately and presentable are important first steps. It shows organization and a sense of awareness outside yourself. When a student-athlete enters a room or turns the corner to where I’m waiting to meet him, I want to see someone who can represent themselves, the school and the program.
• HAVE THE GRADES. This starts with developing good study habits and performing well in the classroom, but it also means having a copy of your most recent transcript handy so the recruiter can see it right away. It’s a good idea to have a folder in your locker or in the coaches’ office with all of the paperwork you might want during a sitdown meeting.
• LOOK ME IN THE EYES. Don’t slouch. Don’t stare at your shoes. Don’t wander about the room. Stand up straight or sit up and lean forward. Show you are interested. That coach may be talking to dozens of players that week. Stand out for good reasons, not detractors.
• SHOW RESPECT. Athletes earn scholarships. That means they work for them. They aren’t given away. Speak respectfully and eloquently as possible. Don’t curse. Don’t use an abundance of slang. Be honest but nobody wants to hear a prospective player bad mouth his coach, his high school or his teammates.
• SHOW YOU BELONG. There is a line between confident and cocky. Don’t cross it. Coaches want players who want to play for them and fit their program. Coaches recruit two or three times as many players than they will actually award scholarships to. They aren’t going to chase bad leads.

Aaron Ingram is USA Football’s manager of U.S. National Teams football operations. He is a former U.S. National Team head coach and served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Nevada, Sacramento State, Foothill College and Fresno Community College.