On The Same Page

• • Have a heart-to-heart conversation with your head football coach to discuss which level of football HE thinks you can play (Division I, I-AA, II, III, etc.) Remember, he’s not going to put your name out there to a Division II program, like ours, unless he thinks you can play there. (FYI: Only one percent of high school seniors sign D-1 scholarships.)
  • If you and your head coach are not on the same page – discuss what you need to do in order to improve your standing in the recruiting process.
  • Ask him if he would mind endorsing you to schools that play on that particular level. He might not know that playing football at the next level is important to you.

• • All Prospective NCAA Student Athletes must register with the Eligibility Center before they are allowed to take “Official Visits” to NCAA Colleges and Universities. If you need help ask your coach or guidance counselor.
  • Related Link: NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Related Link: NCAA Eligibility Center quick sheet (pdf)

Research, Research, Research

• • Use the Internet and start your research on schools you are interested in. Also, create a criteria sheet that helps you compare colleges. FOCUS ON THINGS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH FOOTBALL.
  • Areas of study (If a school doesn’t offer what you are looking for academically, there is NO reason to consider that college or university)
  • Size of the school
  • The city the school is located in (Statistics show that a college student will spend approximately two years in that city after graduation.)
  • Success in the classroom
  • Opportunity for financial assistance
  • Other extracurricular activities
  • Related Link: Worksheet for choosing a college

• • The recruiting process can not start until you are evaluated academically and on film. (Online or DVD)
  • After your junior year, I would encourage you to put together a brief highlight film and include your best game of the season at the end of the tape.

Tips:

• • Watch your film with a critical eye. Ask yourself, “Is this helping me in the recruiting process?”
  • DON’T JUST SEND A FILM TO SEND A FILM! Remember, you get only one shot to make a first impression.
  • Make sure your tape is properly labeled with your name, jersey number, jersey color, position, and contact information. (Even if that information is include on an additional sheet or resume, it still needs to be on the film itself.)
  • INCLUDE a copy of your TRANSCRIPT and ACT/SAT TEST SCORES
  • YOU DO NOT NEED MUSIC, SLOW MOTION, AND/OR GRAPHICS ON YOUR TAPE.

• • Familiarize yourself with NCAA recruiting rules.
  • Related Link: Compliance

• • Schedule your testing dates for the ACT and/or SAT. The best source of information on these tests – including practice sessions and study tips – is your high school counselor.
  • Related Links: ACT and SAT

• • Make sure all of your information is updated in the school’s database, from your cell phone number to your parents’ names and occupations.

• • Whatever schools you are interested in, you should keep the lines of communication open with those staffs. Just drop them an e-mail and/or text message from time to time.