How Do I Get A Football Scholarship - Episode 3
Navigating the world of college football recruitment can be daunting for both parents and players. Understanding the landscape of scholarships and recruitment processes can significantly influence a player's opportunities. In this blog post, we delve into strategies to boost your son's chances of earning a college football scholarship, drawing from the insights of a head coach with 15 years of Division One recruiting experience.
Determining the Right Division
One common question parents face is: What division offers their son the best opportunity for a football scholarship? This involves assessing the player's current skills, academic standing, and physical attributes. Matching these with appropriate division requirements can prevent wasted efforts and time. In many cases, players find themselves more suited to FCS or Group of Five schools rather than the more competitive Power Four programs.
Enhancing Your Social Media Presence
A compelling social media presence is crucial in today's recruitment landscape. Platforms like X allow athletes to highlight their skills and achievements. Here's a checklist to optimize your profile:
Clarify Your Position: Clearly spell out your position to avoid confusion.
Use Dividers for Key Information: Segment details like school, position, physical stats, and GPA with dividers for clarity.
Showcase Interests and Achievements: Include academics, extracurricular interests, and faith—anything that conveys your character and commitments.
Optimize Video Content: Pin native highlight videos directly within your profile rather than linking externally. Coaches prefer ease of access without interruptions like ads.
Tactical Posting and Tagging
Regularly posting highlights and tagging relevant coaches significantly increases the chances of your posts being seen. This directs attention to your skills and achievements. Consider scheduling daily posts with a focus on different highlights, tagging coaches you're engaging with for outreach, and showcasing game highlights frequently. Remember, consistency is key to maintaining coaches' interests.
Submitting Your Game Tape
Make sure your game tape is well-prepared. Key aspects include:
Pre-Play Identification: Circle yourself before the play starts, allowing coaches to evaluate the entire play.
Prioritize High-Impact Plays: Focus on aggressive, high-skill plays that capture coaches' attention immediately. Avoid merely defensive plays unless they are impactful.
Personal Insights and Character
Character cannot be overstated in the recruiting process. Coaches seek players who demonstrate good character both on and off the field. Use your platform to share personal stories, academic achievements, and community involvement. These attributes play a critical role in your recruitment evaluation.
Evaluating and Targeting the Right Level
Properly assessing your son's potential can mean the difference between wasted time and securing the right scholarship. Based on our assessments, Brody, the player's pseudonym for this evaluation, is identified as a solid FCS player with potential for Group of Five schools. Current and prospective rule changes affecting roster sizes make it essential to target appropriately. When deciding, focus on a balanced approach, splitting efforts between FCS and G5 schools.
Next Steps for Growth and Improvement
To transition from a strong FCS candidate to a G5 or even a Power Four prospect, player development needs to focus on:
Improving Foot Speed and Change of Direction: These skills can significantly impact on-field performance.
Maintaining Aggression and Passion: Playing with intensity is vital and notable in coach evaluations.
Brody is encouraged to maintain his active outreach to G5 and FCS programs, leveraging his skills and attributes effectively in all communications.
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.
