![](\"https:\/\/media.bizj.us\/view\/img\/10466672\/blackmoncolts*1200xx1610-906-0-86.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
By: Chad Wilson – Editor – GridironStuds Blog<\/strong> I was asked recently by a student athlete,\u00a0 what do division I coaches look for in recruiting?\u00a0 Simple enough question and I will not reveal my answer but it did get me to thinking.\u00a0 Most high school football players are concerned with fitting themselves into a program as opposed to finding a program that fits them.<\/p>\n There are several reasons for this,\u00a0 the biggest of which is teens and parents of high school players are mostly concerned with prestige.\u00a0 The school they sign with says everything about what kind of player they are and what kind of parent they are or so they think.\u00a0 The mindset is get in there and then you figure out how to be great once you get there.<\/p>\n The problem with that thinking is this,\u00a0 more and more,\u00a0 faster and faster,\u00a0 college football programs are throwing away athletes.\u00a0 The patience level with an athlete and their abilities is not what it used to be.\u00a0 Once upon a time,\u00a0 all freshman redshirted.\u00a0 Then most freshman redshirted.\u00a0 Then a lot of freshman played.\u00a0 Then some freshman started.\u00a0 Now,\u00a0 if you don’t start or play as a freshman,\u00a0 you’re not very useful.\u00a0 Within that first training camp in college,\u00a0 it is being determined if you were a worthy recruit or not.\u00a0 Take too long to pick up the scheme,\u00a0 the workout regimen or present the physical attributes deemed necessary and meetings are already being had about how to replace you in the next recruiting cycle. Seems harsh doesn’t it?\u00a0 Well,\u00a0 it’s kind of what you signed up for.\u00a0 So how do you protect yourself?<\/p>\n You can avoid this plight by doing something that is so very hard to do and that is be honest with yourself.\u00a0 The next thing is almost equally as hard and that is make a decision based on what you have honestly determined about yourself.\u00a0 Here’s how you figure out what program is for you despite how many offers you have.\u00a0 In my experience,\u00a0 prospects fall into one of four categories.<\/p>\n Highly Athletic and Highly Skilled<\/strong><\/p>\n Let’s define what athletic is for the purpose of this article (tall, big and fast).\u00a0 Let’s determine what skilled is for the purpose of this article (great technique + hard worker).\u00a0 The athletes possessing these qualities are usually 5 star or 4 star.\u00a0 In some cases they are ranked lower due in large part to not being seen,\u00a0 which is becoming harder and harder to have happen these days.\u00a0 If you possess all the physical attributes that we ALL know that colleges like (tall, big, strong and fast),\u00a0 then the upper echelon D1 schools will have the patience to withstand your early mistakes.\u00a0 They will keep giving you opportunities in hopes that your awesome physical gifts will materialize.\u00a0 Those opportunities will last two seasons then they start muttering about your inability to “get it”.\u00a0 \u00a0If you combine that high athleticism with high skill then there’s little to talk about.\u00a0 You’re elite.\u00a0 You will show your worth early and often.\u00a0 You will play because you deserve to.\u00a0 Go ahead and thank God,\u00a0 don’t be selfish.\u00a0 Power 5,\u00a0 perennial Top 10,\u00a0 conference champ Division I schools are for you.<\/p>\n Moderately Athletic and Highly Skilled\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n You are either big and fast or tall and big or tall but not fast.\u00a0 You’re missing something physically but not too much.\u00a0 You also combine this with either high football IQ + technique and a tremendous work ethic.\u00a0 You can chase the upper echelon always in the Top 10 school but you may be taking some risks.\u00a0 Some of you in this group may even be ranked a 5-star so not going to Alabama or Clemson might seem absolutely crazy but I have news for you,\u00a0 there were some\u00a0 seniors on both of those teams that did not step foot on that field during that championship game in January.<\/p>\n These schools are always getting and are always searching for the complete player in high school every year.\u00a0 Chances are they may get that guy at your spot in subsequent recruiting cycles and he’s going to play.\u00a0 At who’s expense do you think that will come?\u00a0 Yeah,\u00a0 you know.\u00a0 Perhaps you can overcome that but your highly skilled be better be REALLY highly skilled.\u00a0 You better be sure about your self evaluation.\u00a0 If not,\u00a0 that transfer portal is awaiting you or a different set of tears are falling from your eyes when you hand momma those flowers on senior day.<\/p>\n If you want the best possible fit,\u00a0 seek out that Division I program that has had success with your type of player before and won’t blink at giving you a “real” opportunity to play.\u00a0 Sometimes a school will sign a 5-star because he’s a 5-star knowing full well he may not be “that guy”.\u00a0 However,\u00a0 that 5-star does improve their recruiting rankings so he’s a take.\u00a0 Don’t get tricked. You might be that guy I just described but your honest self evaluation will protect you.\u00a0 Perhaps a slightly less high profile program that is on the up and coming will have the patience to deal with your early shortcomings.\u00a0 They will take the time to wait for you to blossom or show that what you lack won’t hurt you and them on the field.\u00a0 You then turn their patience into all conference and all time great.<\/p>\n One other note,\u00a0 depending on how much you are missing in the athletic department,\u00a0 considering Group of 5, FCS and \/ or Division II football may be the move.\u00a0 For instance if you are fast but not tall or big,\u00a0 you might want to go this route. Group of 5, FCS and Division II schools will be more apt to accept that you were a high producer in high school and take a gamble on you being able to also do that in college.\u00a0 While these schools would also like the recruits from the first category I named,\u00a0 they are less likely to get them and will take you on board.\u00a0 It doesn’t mean that you are less worthy,\u00a0 it just means that you just need an opportunity and they are more likely to provide that.<\/p>\n Highly Athletic but Moderately Skilled<\/strong><\/p>\n You pass the eyeball test and the scouts are scribbling in their notebooks the moment they see you check in to the camp.\u00a0 At 6’5″ they’re going to love you and you will be praised for moving left or right without falling down.\u00a0 You might also lose 3 out of every 4 one-on-one reps at the camp but will still be called out of the kneeling crowd at the end as the surprise MVP.\u00a0 You’re the one that all the other kids’ dads are pissed about after the camp.\u00a0 The reason they are mad is because you are getting hyped because you are just big or just fast but you don’t have the skills, yet.\u00a0 Perhaps you just started playing football.\u00a0 Perhaps you are playing football because the head coach won’t let you walk the halls of the school without harassing you about when Spring Ball starts.\u00a0 You have not developed your love for the game yet. Right now all you are is a specimen and you damn well know you need to learn more about the game and improve your techniques.<\/p>\n If you fall into this category then you definitely want to stay away from the pressure schools.\u00a0 The pressure schools are the ones where Twitter fanbases fire the coach for losing a game or failing to make the college football playoffs in back to back seasons.\u00a0 Those coaches at those programs are feeling the heat and they won’t have patience with you as you continue your football education.\u00a0 Take too long to pick up the concepts or techniques needed to make plays and your playing time will rapidly decline.\u00a0 Next year,\u00a0 a kid in a brand new truck is going to be stealing your reps.<\/p>\n Consider the following programs if you fall into this category: A once proud program trying to rebuild.\u00a0 A group of 5 program like Utah St., UCF or the like that will cherish your athletic ability and have a great deal of patience to teach \/ develop you.\u00a0 Develop your love for the game quickly and work hard to learn how it’s played.\u00a0 Do that and these programs will do more than their fair share to promote your success and push you to the NFL when the time comes. Their success as a program will be tied to your success.\u00a0 You aren’t just “another guy” that won an award and got drafted.\u00a0 You’ll be one of a kind.<\/p>\n Moderately Athletic and also Moderately Skilled<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a tricky group so read this carefully.\u00a0 You are not as tall or fast as the highly ranked guys.\u00a0 You may not have also produced on the field in terms of big numbers but you know you have talent.\u00a0 You probably also go to camps and out perform most.\u00a0 However,\u00a0 you don’t get recognized like you should. That’s due in large part to you missing those eye popping physical attributes and \/ or your technique is not quite where it needs to be yet.\u00a0 However,\u00a0 you are willing to work on it.<\/p>\n This group has the toughest time in recruiting.\u00a0 They often feel like they can play Division I football like some of their teammates and guys they’ve competed against.\u00a0 A lot of times they were outstanding as youth football players but came back to the pack once they entered high school.\u00a0 Players in this group may and I stress may be Division I football players but it will be hard for them to get the opportunity.\u00a0 Their Division I scholarship offer will come extremely late,\u00a0 if at all.\u00a0 Some may choose to walk-on at a division I school and eventually get frustrated with walk-on life and quit.\u00a0 Even the ones that get the late offer are constantly faced with attempts to replace their spot on the depth chart even when they are backups.<\/p>\n Your honest assessment of your physical attributes should be easy.\u00a0 Am I as tall as,\u00a0 as big as or as fast as the guys piling up the Division I offers?\u00a0 Be honest about that.\u00a0 Did I produce as much as some other guys who are getting some Division I offers?\u00a0 Be honest about it.\u00a0 Do I still have some things to work on technique-wise?\u00a0 That’s a tougher thing to evaluate but you must accurately determine that.\u00a0 If you fall into this category and you are truly interested in playing college football then pursue the FCS and consider Division 2 or even 3 football at a good program.\u00a0 Do this early in your recruiting cycle.\u00a0 Don’t wait till your senior season,\u00a0 you’ll be left out in the cold most of the time.<\/p>\n Don’t let your pride get in the way of making a solid decision.\u00a0 When you sign with that Division 2 school and rip it up,\u00a0 you’ll have all the pride and honor you felt you deserved on National Signing Day.\u00a0 Really excel at that less than Division I program to the point where you get a NFL combine or training camp invite and you get the last laugh.\u00a0 This happens every single year.\u00a0 If you watch the combine you will see guys participating from schools you may have never heard of.\u00a0 Those guys tucked away their ego and invested in the future opportunities.\u00a0 Many of them had high school teammates who went Power 5 and was at home watching them run a 40 yard dash on NFL Network.<\/p>\n There is one other group and that is low athletic and low skilled.\u00a0 I have bad news for that group.\u00a0 College football probably isn’t for you.\u00a0 You may want to walk on and enjoy the experience of being on a college football team without actually playing.\u00a0 You too,\u00a0 must be honest with yourself.\u00a0 If you are not in possession of major athletic attributes and you are not willing to pour a large amount of your time into being highly skilled then you are likely wasting time looking for a scholarship.\u00a0 College football is a multi-billion dollar business with coaches earning thousands and millions annually.\u00a0 They won’t risk their livelihood in hopes that you overcome all the odds to possibly,\u00a0 maybe make an impact.\u00a0 Determine your true talent and passion in life then pursue that.<\/p>\n Once again and in closing,\u00a0 making this important decision begins with honest self evaluation.\u00a0 It’s tough not to say you are not in the A group.\u00a0 However, a truly elite thinker,\u00a0 knows his weaknesses and exploits them.\u00a0 How do you exploit weaknesses?\u00a0 You do so by putting yourself in position to have your strengths flourish while gaining time to improve the weaknesses.\u00a0 Not every athletic program will provide that for you and often time,\u00a0 it’s your pride that will set you up to have your weaknesses exposed.\u00a0 Don’t let that be you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By: Chad Wilson – Editor – GridironStuds Blog Twitter: @GridironStuds I was asked recently by a student athlete,\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,767],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","category-recruiting-school"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gridironstuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3728","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gridironstuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gridironstuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gridironstuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gridironstuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3728"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gridironstuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3728\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gridironstuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gridironstuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gridironstuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nTwitter: @GridironStuds<\/strong><\/p>\n