Ryan Neceski, MBA, Founder and Head RecruiterRecognizing this challenge, Ryan Neceski founded Next Level U Sports, Inc. in 2016 with a simple yet powerful mission: to guide student athletes and empower them to make informed decisions about their future. What started as a small initiative in Kitchener, Ontario, quickly transformed into Canada’s largest all-sports recruiting platform, helping athletes across the country and beyond.
“The ‘U’ in Next Level U Sports is about more than just university. It is about you,” Neceski explains. “It is about understanding who you are as a person and how that fits into the bigger picture of higher education and athletics.”
The Three Es
The foundation of Next Level U Sports is rooted in three guiding principles: Education, Exposure, and Expertise. These pillars shape the company’s approach to helping student athletes not only secure scholarships, but also prepare for their entire academic and athletic journeys.
Education is at the forefront of everything the organization does. Neceski emphasizes that understanding the recruiting process is key to success. Next Level U Sports ensures that athletes and their families are fully informed about how recruiting works, what expectations exist, and how to make the best decisions for the future.
The second pillar is Exposure. Next Level U Sports provides a platform where student athletes can connect with coaches and schools that align with their goals. The company has developed a system that gives athletes access to the right opportunities, not only locally, but globally. By expanding its reach during the pandemic, Next Level U was able to offer virtual services to athletes across Canada, allowing them to connect with coaches and explore schools without geographic limitations. With athletes in 18 different sports now benefiting from the platform, exposure is no longer confined to local regions but extends across countries and continents.
-
The ‘U’ in Next Level U Sports is about more than just university, it’s about you. It’s about understanding who you are as a person and how that fits into the bigger picture of higher education and athletics.
Finally, Expertise is woven throughout the entire process. Next Level U Sports is not about creating a profile and hoping for results. Neceski’s team brings decades of collective experience, including former collegiate athletes and recruiting experts who understand the recruiting process firsthand. They know what it takes to stand out and get noticed by coaches.
Going Beyond the Typical Recruiting Service
Next Level U Sports offers several programs designed to meet the varying needs of student athletes. For those just getting started, the free profile option provides access to essential tools and resources.
The Recruit Profile program, available for a small monthly fee, gives athletes access to a broader range of resources, including recruiting seminars, a database of schools, and detailed information about coaches. The most comprehensive option, the Prospect Profile, includes one-on-one coaching throughout the recruiting journey. From creating professional highlight videos to connecting directly with coaches, this program ensures athletes are supported at every step.
A defining feature of Next Level U Sports is its emphasis on personal connection. While many recruiting platforms rely heavily on automation, Next Level U believes relationships are central to success. The company also provides academic support to help athletes meet eligibility requirements. Services range from SAT preparation to guidance on student visas and health insurance for international students, allowing Next Level U to go beyond traditional recruiting services. Further, the company has expanded into hosting sporting combines/ where student-athletes can learn from Collegiate Coaches and former collegiate athletes.
With international expansion underway, the company is beginning to place athletes at schools in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East, further broadening opportunities for its clients. Whether in Canada, the U.S., or abroad, Next Level U Sports remains committed to improving its technology to provide student-athletes with the best technology sports recruiting with future developments on the way.

