How To Get The Best College Football Scholarships Possible
Work hard on the field, work out six days a week, hire a personal trainer and a position coach, attend a mega camp, and you'll secure a college football scholarship.
If only it were that easy, everyone would be playing college football. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. In this article, we'll reveal the reality of college football recruiting in the new NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) portal era, why blindly following this advice might be a mistake, and what you can do instead to secure the best scholarships possible.
The Reality of College Football Today
Most high school football players dedicate all their time to perfecting their craft. They work out four to six times a week, hire personal trainers, and attend camps. While these activities are vital, they only cover one side of the equation. In today's high-stakes world of college football, understanding the business aspect is equally important.
With the introduction of NIL deals, college athletes are now seen as businesses. The stakes have never been higher, and neither has the competition. Parents are willing to do anything to give their sons an edge because of what's on the line, including lucrative brand deals and the potential for millions in earnings if they make it to the NFL.
Athletes as Personal Brands
Each athlete needs to consider themselves both a business and a personal brand. If your son doesn’t start building his brand in high school, he might struggle to get committable offers, let alone the best scholarships. While I'm not suggesting your son should open an LLC tomorrow, it's time to focus on marketing and sales as much as on-the-field performance.
The Business of College Football Recruiting
Spending all your time perfecting the product (your skills) is no longer enough. In business, there are three core components: marketing, sales, and the product itself. Many athletes focus solely on the product and assume, "If I'm good, coaches will find me." This is simply not true in today's world.
Like any other business, success in college football recruiting requires learning how to market and sell oneself. Here are some habits and skills we emphasize to our athletes, leading 83% to earn college football scholarships:
Selecting the Right Target Schools: Be strategic in your school choices.
Creating a Compelling Highlight Video: Make videos that get noticed.
Leveraging Social Media: Properly post to attract attention.
Engaging Coaches via Direct Messages: Build relationships with coaches.
Pitching Coaches: Craft personalized messages that stand out.
Confident Communication: Speak confidently with coaches.
Handling Official Visits: Make the most out of campus visits.
Choosing the Right Camps: Attend camps where real opportunities exist.
Marketing and Selling as an Athlete
Understanding how to market and sell yourself is crucial, not just for securing scholarships but for life. This mirrors how a local baker must market and sell their amazing cakes to stay in business. Athletes need to approach their football careers the same way. It's about more than just skill—it's about getting noticed, making connections, and selling your story.
Skills for Success
Beyond sports, these skills are invaluable. Learning to market and sell oneself can set up a young man to succeed in any field. It's about having the confidence to pursue goals and the ability to build a personal brand in a digital world.
My Journey
I often get asked how I managed to secure speaking engagements with major corporations like IBM and Hewlett Packard. The answer lies in the grit and determination I built through my football journey. I was relentless, sending out videos, attending camps, and eventually earning a scholarship in the SEC after being cut multiple times. This persistence and self-belief are what I hope to instill in other athletes.
Actionable Steps
Decide to take control of your future. Learn the recruiting process, build a business mindset, market yourself, sell yourself, and confidently communicate with college coaches.
If this resonates with you, we’re offering a live, two-day in-person workshop where we will cover all aspects of business in college football. With speakers like Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss and Butch Davis, your son will learn how to market and sell himself. This workshop is limited to 100 families, so don't delay.
Conclusion
In today's competitive landscape, relying on just hard work isn't enough. You need a well-rounded approach that includes marketing, sales, and skill development. Take control of your recruiting process and set yourself up for the best opportunities.
Apply To Work 1-on-1 With Richie
Richie's mentorship program provides access to the entire Next Play® protocol for earning a football scholarship, complete with mentorship, coaching, and accountability for your son, thereby ensuring he develops into an elite communicator, leader, and businessman, and ultimately earns a full-ride scholarship.
