Ah, soccer is the sport I know!
I only mention the program ranking because it affects the timeline.
Soccer recruiting starts with elite d1s, moves down the (soccer) levels then elite d3, on down the levels. Elite d3 is mostly done in July/August before senior year, but a school ranked (again, soccer wise) much lower might still be offering roster spots in January of senior year.
Womens soccer, I believe, is on a bit more accelerated timeline than men’s.