If you are even considering playing football (or any sport) at the next level, here are ten things to know:
GRADES, GRADES, GRADES—You are a student first, an athlete second. If you can’t make the academic requirements to gain entrance to a school, you cannot play on their athletic teams. Junior College programs are the only option but you must still maintain a minimum grade requirement to stay eligible.
Character is Key—Many programs are recruiting players that are of high moral character. They understand that programs and players are very closely scrutinized and they don’t want to invest in someone who will eventually make the program and the school look bad.
Aim High but Be Realistic—Every player dreams of playing on TV in front of 100,000 fans at the big schools. That is a great dream but be realistic. Most of the large schools (UW, WSU) are recruiting the best players in the region and country. If you are 2nd team All-League, that is great but it may not be enough to get noticed by larger schools.
Don’t Overlook Smaller Programs—Just because you don’t play for a large school doesn’t mean you can’t play at the next level. There are far more middle size and small programs that have equally competitive football programs. A great Northwest example is Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. They have been a great program for many years with a nationally recognized former head coach in Frosty Westering. The player’s experience at the smaller level is often MORE enjoyable and beneficial than playing at a large school.
It’s NOT about you—Don’t take anything personally. This is easier said than done. Most college programs are looking for a specific player or player type. If you don’t match what they are looking for, it isn’t your fault. The best way to overcome this is to be as versatile a player as possible.
But it IS about You—College programs have one overriding goal—WIN. They need players that will help them achieve this goal. You have a better chance to make it to the next level if you are more versatile. Play as many positions as possible, don’t put yourself in one box (“I’m a right tackle”).
It’s About the Money—College teams are investing in you as a player. Programs, even the smaller ones, devote millions of dollars to scholarships for players. They are shrewd investors and want to make a return on their investment. Often they only have a few to award so they can be very picky.
Control the Things You Can Control—The most common reason many players don’t get noticed is completely out of their control—Size. The modern game is about three things—Smarts, Size, Speed. You can really only control two of these three items. The best thing to do if you are slightly deficient in one is to improve the other two. For example, if you are 5’7”, you can’t really make yourself taller. However, you can improve your speed and excel in school to bring notice to yourself.
Understand the process—Educate yourself, market yourself, communicate with your coach about your plans so he can help you achieve them. Your high school coach is your best asset. Check out possible schools on the web. Nearly all of them have electronic recruit questionnaires for potential players to fill out. Fill these out and get on the mailing list. Understand that there are specific requirements for each level of competition (see Division Explanations). Ask questions, don’t be shy.
Be Prepared to WORK—Getting to the next level is only a small part of the hard work. Once you are there, it is outright competition. Everyone is working in the classroom, in the weight room and on the field to be the best. This takes hard work, dedication and perseverance. These are only a few of the qualities you must possess to have success at the next level.
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