5 Rare Characteristics Needed To Get A D1 Football Scholarship

Every athlete who earns a football scholarship—whether D1, D2, or NAIA—shares a few rare traits that separate them from everyone else. Talent and size matter, but they aren’t the deciding factors. I know this firsthand. At just 5’7” and 150 pounds, I still earned a D1 SEC football scholarship because of these five characteristics.

If your son has these traits—and develops them—his chances of earning a scholarship rise dramatically.

1. Coachability

The most successful athletes are eager to be coached. They make mistakes, learn from them, and follow proven processes. Coachable players don’t try to reinvent the wheel—they stick to the playbook, adjust quickly, and improve both on the field and in the recruiting process.

2. Commitment

Rejection, fear of failure, and setbacks are guaranteed in recruiting. What matters is commitment—showing up, staying disciplined, and pushing forward no matter what. Athletes who commit to the process, even when things get tough, are the ones who break through.

3. Grit

Most athletes who earn scholarships are underdogs in some way—undersized, overlooked, or underrated. What sets them apart is grit. They play with a chip on their shoulder and persevere through adversity, using doubt as fuel to prove people wrong.

4. Intrinsic Motivation

The best athletes are driven by passion and purpose, not external rewards like recognition or popularity. They love the game, are addicted to the rush of success, and chase goals because of an inner fire that keeps them pushing when no one is watching.

5. Scholarship-Level Ability

Before anything else, an athlete must be graded as a scholarship-level player. That doesn’t always mean Power 4 talent—it could be Division 2 or NAIA—but he needs the skills, athleticism, and potential that coaches look for. Pairing ability with the other four traits creates the perfect foundation for offers.

Final Thoughts

Earning a scholarship isn’t about being the biggest or most talented athlete—it’s about developing the rare combination of coachability, commitment, grit, intrinsic motivation, and scholarship-level ability. When these five come together, the opportunities follow.

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