Basics of football recruiting

lastminutemom196 · 11-06-2009, 06:14 AM

My son has asked me to help me some of his friends with the college process. We have a new coach who so far, hasn't connected with the boys and is overwhelmed with his job.

These young men are juniors. My son says that several of them should be able to play college ball. Division I or II.

They are all very poor to somewhat poor, all first generation, average students 2.5-3.0.

I just want to wrap my mind around the process. So much of what I see on this board relates to D III and Ivies. Could someone explain the rules to me? Is it ok for us to send out films (actually we would get the coach to do it) unsolicited or do you wait for a school to ask?

My son (and I) have become very attached to these guys. We would like them to end up at a school where they stand a prayer of graduating (my son tells me that only one may have a slim chance of football after college and that is slim). Some of these boys have had so little exposure to the middle class (for lack of a better word) world that I would like a school that is a little nuturing -- just a little, I know this is football. I guess I would like to see that they get a few offers so that they can have a choice.

Several of these boys have never really been to a college campus. If we want to take them to a college and it includes a football game -- is that allowed?

Thanks for any advice.

cnp55 · 11-06-2009, 06:28 AM

The NCAA is very specific with requirements in terms of acceptable grades and scores and course work for a student to be recruited and to play. The standards are much lower than you might think for the NCAA. Some (many?) colleges will have higher requirements for admissions. Start on their website -- ncaa.org.

The NCAA is also quite specific with recruiting rules, so you'll want to read those carefully. But it would be OK to take the guys to a football game at a college even if you (as an unaffiliated person) paid for the entire trip -- the recruiting violations are all related to the school or someone close to the school giving tickets, meals, hotel rooms, entertainment, vehicles etc etc etc as an inducement to sign.

Good for you for taking on this project.

cgpm59 · 11-06-2009, 10:03 AM

What state are you in? I also have a junior son who plays both varsity football and soccer, and we are in the same process. There is a website called 5ATexasFootball that has tons of information about high school football in Texas, but also college and NFL and the smaller classifications of schools in Texas (the biggest schools enrollment-wise in Texas are in Class 5A and the smaller schools go from 4A on down). The college recruiting process is the same, no matter what state you are in, so you can learn a lot there.

The other poster referenced the NCAA; you need to go to the NCAA website and download the Guide to Students and Parents, which tells you lots of the basic recruiting rules, dates, etc.

As for sending videos and other aspects of recruiting, go to NCSAsports.org and sign up for their weekly email newsletter. There is also a huge amount of free info on NCSA and they also have services you can pay for, such as video production, etc.

By the way, the first thing to tell all these young men is they MUST keep their grades up; without that, they will have little chance of advancing.

Now you have your homework reading for the weekend.

Good luck!

Sammy the dog · 11-06-2009, 11:54 AM

Lastminutemom- good for you. That's great you are willing to help these boys. There is so much info available on-line and in books about recruiting. I would first suggest you start with the NCAA clearinghouse to find a list of their classes and make sure they are accredited by the NCAA for college. On this site you'll find the minimum gpa and class requirements for playing college athletics. Each high school has to submit a list for approval by the NCAA for the classes to count toward eligibility.

Also, is there a nearby community college with a FB team and a coach that would be willing to assist these boys??

Good luck!

lastminutemom196 · 11-06-2009, 10:38 PM

Thanks so much for all the resources. It looks like I do have a lot of homework. Better get out the reading glasses. Several of my guys had a great game tonight!

My son has already gone over the eligibility stuff from the clearinghouse with them. I don't think we have a community college that has football but I am pretty resourceful and will look for someone to mentor me, perhaps.

I have a question -- could someone talk to me about the junior college option, an overview perhaps? Thanks!

BigG · 11-06-2009, 10:51 PM

It is very important that these young men not take the SAT "cold".

Consult your local library for recent SAT review manuals and pool resources to get review materials.

Taking the SAT is a lot like sports or the performing arts; practice, practice, practice and you will get better.

Most middle class students (and above) take the SAT several times and spend a lot of time and money on reviews.

Do not believe the crap you hear from some students about taking it cold and aceing it. That is the academic equivalent of "trash talking".

If some of the lads can put up fairly good SAT scores, there might be need based financial aid available from some DIII schools.

Do not be shy about asking for application fee waivers if the students are really financially disavantaged

College football is the most fun you can have without a ...well this is family forum so let us leave it at that.

EMM1 · 11-07-2009, 07:04 AM

You're doing a great thing. I don't know anything about junior college football, but I do have one question/suggestion.

How does your son know that these boys are potential DI/DII recruits? If the boys haven't already, I would strongly trying to get an unbiased, brutally honest assessment from someone who really knows the scene.

condor30 · 11-07-2009, 09:58 AM

it's not at all unusual that players will go the junior college route for 1 or 2 years and then transfer to 4 year colleges. if you look at the rosters for 4 year schools, you can sometimes see how many of the players have come from junior colleges.

i suggest you visit with some local junior college coaches in your area and tell them about the boys, ask them about the process.
recruiting is a very small world and word gets around rather quickly.....

jmho, football is definitely one of those sports where many go the junior college route.

lastminutemom196 · 11-11-2009, 03:31 PM

Again, I want to thank you all for your help.

Our school is out of SAT fee waivers (UGH) and if they don't have them in by next week, I will make a big fuss with CB. Apparently, College Board is rather stingy. Most of the guys will take a practice SAT on Saturday. You only get two fee waivers for the SAT, so we will practice, practice, practice before taking it.

EMM1, I took your suggestion and showed films to a gentleman who is a former NFL player. He saw the same thing my son sees -- two for sure, one maybe. The other guys aren't getting $ for football, but one has a 3.9 and is a URM, first generation. He wants to be an engineer, so he can go to GA Tech on the HOPE if he would like. He should have other options as well.

Right now, I am focusing on the academics, but I will be back, I am sure with questions.

pacheight · 11-11-2009, 03:48 PM

i'd also suggest having the boys and you follow Pete Carroll as well as other college football coaches and college football players on twitter. It's recruiting season for them and they often send out tidbits that are helpful. Pete Carroll (PeteCarroll) on Twitter

Pete Carroll is an expert at counseling, guiding, and developing young football players...often he tells them to go to a JC for two years before they try D1 recruiting. He's more accessible than you might think, email USC football for advice and he might just respond to you.