Team Engagement
With the season quickly approaching, many high school football players will become involved in the college recruiting process. Contrary to what today’s media may make it seem like, college football recruiting is much more complicated than signing your name on the dotted line. Today, with recruiting services and high school showcases, the process has become more confusing and convoluted than ever. Often, players’ futures seem out of their own control. With these simple steps from Player Engagement, you can take control of your recruitment and ensure you have the best chance of catching a coach’s eye.
Step 1: Know Your NCAA Eligibility
Before you will even speak to a college coach, your academic choices will shape your future. From the moment you enter your high school hallways, every class you take and grade you receive will directly affect your NCAA eligibility. With ever-changing eligibility standards, high school athletes are often confused as to if they meet NCAA regulations. The best way to make sure you can participate in college athletics? Meet with your guidance counselor to map out your high school course schedule. Doing so will ensure you are eligible.
Quick Tip: If you are already a senior, meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your college applications. Save yourself the stress of application deadlines and get them done sooner rather than later.
No. 2: Make a Highlight Film
The highlight video is often the best way to get on a college coach’s radar. Schedule a meeting with your high school coach to select highlights from your playing career. Once you have your highlights, ask your coach or a video professional to put the film together for you. Be sure to include your contact information (name, home address, phone number, e-mail address) as well as your coach’s. Most highlight films are typically 6-10 minutes long. Finally, post to YouTube (quickly becoming coaches’ preferences) or burn to disks.
Quick Tip: Cut out the crazy soundtrack and the over-the-top animations—keep a coach’s attention on your performance.
No 3. Create and Contact Your Targets
While we all aspire to be Division 1 players, the reality is that not all of us have the size, speed, or talent. Talk with your coach to discuss at what level he thinks you would best excel (Division 1, 2, or 3). Then, form a list of about 10-12 schools that you, your family, and your coach think would be a good fit academically and athletically.
Now, it’s time to contact the coaches of the schools you are interested in. Most coaches’ e-mails can be found on the university’s website. What to include in your e-mail to coach? Start by writing some sort of introduction explaining who you are and why you’re contacting them. Also include a copy or link of where they can view your newly-created highlight film, as well as academic data (GPA, standardized test scores, transcript) and contact information.
Quick Tip: Coaches are often more impressed when these e-mails come from you, not your family or coaches. It’s your future, take control of it.
No. 4: The Decision
As coaches from different schools reach out, begin to narrow your list to your top three choices. For most athletes, a choice will often depend on the financial package being offered by the school: Is it a full-ride or a partial scholarship? For others, it may be a question of playing time: Do you have a chance of breaking into the starting lineup early in your career?
Yet for all athletes, choose the university where you would be most comfortable without football. No one can predict what happens in your college career, so make sure you will be happy even if football does not work out.
Quick Tip: Even though it is important to consult your family and coaches during the process, make your own final decision.