Tryout day is only part of how a college cheer team gets picked. Coaches are filling specific stunt positions, judging people they’ll work with for a full season, and often watching recruits for months before a final decision. Several programs spell this out in their published tryout and recruitment materials. This guide uses those documents to show what coaches are actually weighing when they build a roster.

For tryout-day tactics, such as learning the scoring, knowing the material and preparing for the interview, see our guide on how to stand out at cheer tryouts.

1. The Positions They Need to Fill

A roster isn’t a ranking of the best individual athletes. It’s a set of stunt positions, and the open spots change every year. Clemson’s 2026-27 recruitment information says it plainly: team needs vary from year to year, positions are limited by stunt position, and candidates are evaluated by position. For 2026-27 it listed about 4 flyer, 3 backspot, 6 main/side base and 5 coed base openings, and invited the top one to three candidates for each open position to its in-person round.

Mississippi State says its early offers are “very selective” and based on open spots left by graduating seniors. Auburn selected one coed squad of 10 women, 10 men and one mic-man for 2026-27. Arizona fields a coed partner-stunt team of male bases and female flyers only, with up to 15 of each, and says not every spot is filled each year.

What this means for you: know which positions your target program uses and how many it expects to fill. If you can do more than one, show it. Clemson lets candidates submit video in more than one stunt position.

2. Versatility in Stunts

Programs repeatedly name versatility as a selection factor. Arizona calls stunt versatility “critical” and expects every athlete to stunt with every teammate. Kansas State says it is looking for “technically sound, versatile stunters who have an athletic presence and show potential for growth.” An athlete who can hit skills with several partners is easier to place in a lineup than one who only works with a regular group.

Build versatility with your coach: practice with different partners and groups, and learn a second position if your body and skills suit it. Our guides to basing and flying cover the technique.

3. Coachability, Attitude and Work Ethic

Character traits aren’t just a cliché. Some programs write them into their requirements and scoring:

• Arizona says it seeks athletes who excel in athleticism, skills, stunt versatility, academics, professionalism, maturity, teamwork, leadership, attitude, and “a selfless and solution-oriented mindset.” Team members must be “coachable, team-oriented, and consistent in work ethic.”
• Arizona also awards points for “Overall Presentation, Collegiate Appearance, Attitude, and Effort” alongside skill execution.
• Clemson says its coaching staff is looking for “well-rounded student-athletes with a strong skill set.”

You show coachability by doing what you’re asked. Arizona states that “following instructions is part of the evaluation,” which covers forms, video rules and deadlines as well as corrections on the floor.

4. Growth and Consistency Over Time

Many programs see recruits more than once before deciding. Mississippi State holds clinics from June through March and requires a clinic and an in-person evaluation to be considered for an early offer. It says that when it doesn’t make an early offer, it may “simply need to continue to see growth and consistency” before deciding. Offered athletes must still attend tryouts and perform at or above the level shown in their video and clinic.

Potential counts, too. Arizona says male bases who are still developing required skills may be evaluated for potential, strength and fitness. Kansas State lists “potential for growth” in its description of what it wants.

What this means for you: attend clinics if your program offers them, and make every appearance show the same or better skills. Only show skills you’ve mastered. USA Cheer’s college rules say unmastered skills should be performed only in a supervised practice environment.

5. Game-Day Leadership

College cheerleaders lead crowds, so coaches look for people who can do that. Clemson’s first-round video includes its fight song and two sidelines. Auburn’s mic-man candidates must perform a list of Auburn cheers and respond to game-day situations given to them during the tryout. Arizona describes its team as a non-competitive spirit team focused on crowd engagement. If you’ve cheered only in all-star, practice sideline material with a loud voice and sharp motions before you try out.

6. Academics, References and How You Present Yourself

Coaches are choosing team members who will represent the university for a full year, so they look beyond the mat:

• Academics: Auburn and Arizona both require at least a 2.0 GPA. Arizona also reviews GPA, extracurriculars and leadership roles to judge whether a student can balance academics with cheer.
• References: Arizona sends evaluation forms to two professional references and scores them. Clemson asks second-round candidates for a letter of recommendation.
• Interviews: Clemson holds a virtual final-round interview with the coaching staff. Auburn interviews candidates who make callbacks. Kansas State includes an interview judging panel.
• Your “why”: Clemson’s video introduction asks candidates why they want to represent Clemson as a Clemson Cheerleader.

7. Returning Members Earn Their Spots Too

Making the team once doesn’t guarantee a spot. Arizona says returning members must try out every year and all positions are earned annually. Clemson evaluates and interviews current team members before re-awarding their roster spots, and fills the remaining positions through recruitment. Coaches expect the same work ethic in year two that they saw at tryouts.

Skills Are Still the Entry Ticket

None of this replaces the required skills. Each program publishes its own minimums. Auburn’s 2026 packet, for example, required women to show a back handspring, standing back tuck, toss extension, liberty and a running tumbling entrance with a round-off and at least three back handsprings. Clemson’s first-round video asks for consecutive standing tucks or fulls, running passes and a list of partner and group stunts. Check your school’s current requirements in our College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory, and train new skills only with a qualified coach and proper spotting.

Your Roster-Readiness Checklist

• I know which stunt positions my target program uses and how many it expects to fill.
• I can stunt safely with several different partners or groups.
• I meet the program’s published minimum skills, on the required surface.
• I’ve attended a clinic or open practice if the program offers one.
• I can lead the program’s fight song and sidelines with a loud voice.
• My grades meet the program’s requirement, and I’ve lined up references.
• I can explain in a sentence or two why I want to cheer for this school.

For more preparation, see our cheerleading tryouts guide, cheer tryout mistakes to avoid and the cheer tryout fitness test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do college cheer coaches care more about attitude or skills?

Both. Programs publish minimum skills you must meet, and some, like Arizona, also score attitude and effort and require members to be coachable and team-oriented. Strong attitude helps most when your skills already meet the program’s minimums.

Why didn’t I make the team when my skills were strong?

Rosters are built by position, and openings change each year. Clemson says team needs vary year to year and candidates are evaluated by position. Ask the coaches for feedback, and consider learning a second stunt position.

Do returning cheerleaders have to try out again?

At many programs, yes. Arizona requires returning members to try out every year, and Clemson evaluates and interviews current members before re-awarding spots. Check your program’s rules.

Sources: Clemson Cheerleading, 2026-27 Recruitment Information; Arizona Cheerleading, 2026-2027 Tryout Information; Mississippi State, Cheer Recruiting; Auburn Cheerleading, 2026 Tryout Information Packet; Kansas State, 2026 Tryout Packet; USA Cheer, 2026-27 College Cheer Rules. Last checked October 1, 2026.