College Football Recruiting Camp Guide (Which Camps Should You Go To?)
If you're receiving camp invites and you're uncertain about whether you should attend, worry not; this blog post is for you. Many athletes question if attending these camps is a waste of money or a productive step toward earning a college football scholarship. Here, we will break down the exact decision-making process used by our VIP athletes, 83% of whom earn college football scholarships.
Determining the Right Camps Based on Your Grade
Firstly, the type of camp you should attend largely depends on your grade:
Eighth through Tenth Grade: For younger athletes who are not yet playing varsity, attending showcase events can provide an early assessment of your abilities and help create highlight videos. You might consider elite camps, showcase camps, or position-specific skill-based camps.
Tenth through Twelfth Grade: For athletes playing varsity, prioritize attending camps at colleges you're genuinely interested in. Aim for your top four to five choices and use these opportunities to be seen by the school's coaches while exploring the campus.
Purpose of Attending Camps
Understanding the purpose of attending camps, whether for skill development or exposure, is crucial. Exposure camps increase visibility to college coaches, help athletes receive direct feedback for improvement, and foster relationships that can lead to scholarship offers. Skill development camps, on the other hand, allow athletes to hone their abilities under expert guidance.
Types of Camps
Exposure Camps:
Mega Camps
College Camps
Prospect Camps
Skill Improvement Camps:
Showcases
Elite Camps
Positional or Skill Camps
Specialist Camps
Making the Decision
Exposure Camps:
NCAA Regulations: Understand that college coaches are generally restricted by the NCAA from attending off-campus camps. So, ensure the camp is held on a college campus.
Invitation Authenticity: Analyze if the camp invitation is personalized and ascertain which coaches will be present.
Academic Alignment: Confirm if your academic profile fits the college's parameters.
Logistics and Budget: Evaluate the cost, location, and your budget to determine feasibility.
Contact with Coaches: Determine if you can reach out to the coaches beforehand. If you can't identify who will be there, it may not be worth attending.
Camp Reputation: Research the camp's reputation and success stories.
Skill Improvement Camps:
Reputation of Coaches: Ensure the coaches at the camp are reputable and worth learning from.
Affordability: Confirm if you have the budget for attending these skills-focused camps.
Communicating with Coaches About Camp Invites
Receiving a camp invite does not automatically mean you are being actively recruited. Coaches use camps to evaluate large numbers of prospects quickly. Make sure to find out why you're being invited. Reach out to the coaches and ask if they, or someone from their staff, can discuss the camp with you to evaluate your prospects. Communication is key to understanding if the invitation is genuine or if it's simply a revenue-generating effort by the program.
Building Relationships
The cornerstone of college football recruiting is building relationships. Start early, even in eighth or ninth grade, to establish rapport with coaches. Always follow up after attending any camp or showcase, continuing to build these crucial relationships.
Conclusion
Attending camps can be beneficial, but they are not the only pathway to earning a college football scholarship. Developing marketing skills, selling yourself, and doing outreach effectively are critical to maximizing scholarship opportunities. If you're in the top ESPN 300 or have exceptional skills, camps may play a more pivotal role. Otherwise, careful planning and relationship-building will be your keys to success.
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