How to Become a Football Recruit

You have dreams of playing college football, and taking your game to the next level. But how do you get the attention of colleges when thousands of high school athletes are competing for a relative handful of roster spots? The keys are successful play on the field, good grades in the classroom and a willingness to campaign on your behalf. Read on to learn how to become a football recruit.

Instructions

1. Stay in school and stay in shape. If you want college football scouts to take an interest, you have to be on the field. That means keeping your grades up so you're eligible to play (and so you're prepared to take classes when you get to college) and staying healthy so when you have the opportunity to show your stuff, you're ready.

2. Talk to your school's athletic department about how you can use game films to compile your own highlight tape or DVD. You may want to consider hiring a local videographer to either shoot your games or help edit highlights from video supplied by your school. You may want to put together your own website, perhaps a Facebook-styhle site where potential recruiters can go to see you play. Consider companies such as Go Big Recruiting to help package your highlights. Keep a scrapbook, video and hard copy, that includes newspaper clippings, awards and anything else that shows you in a positive light.

3. Contact the athletic departments of colleges where you would like to play, preferably with a well-written letter or email. Do not start emailing, texting or calling specific coaches, as there are strict rules regarding contact between coaches and players. Someone in a college's athletic department can help answer those questions and advise you on how to get attention.

4. Attend off-season football camps and combines. Many of these camps are held at colleges or rely on coaches to help run them. Not only might you attract the attention of a college coach, but you're bound to improve your game. Include participation in these camps in your video, hard copy resume and scrapbook. If money is an issue, talk to camp organizers about scholarships based on financial need or see if you might be able to raise the funds in your community.

5. Strive for a 4.0 average in the classroom and high SAT or ACT scores, even if it means getting a tutor. Don't let your academic eligibility be an issue that might turn off some Division I schools.

Tips & Warnings

• Be courteous and respectful when talking with coaches, but be enthusiastic as well. Coaches want to see that you really want to play and that you want to attend their school. Don't whine about playing time or what position you play because plenty of sensational high school quarterbacks wind up playing cornerback in college. It happens. Deal with it.

• Do the things that will help your team win and not just pile up statistics for yourself, because successful programs draw more attention than losing teams.

• You may want to play for a Division I powerhouse, but your skills are more Division III. Treat all recruiters and all offers equally. What you are striving for is a chance to keep playing and the opportunity for a college education.

• Consider playing another sport, such as basketball or track. Coaches like to find recruits who are especially athletic. Outwork every teammate and opponent every day.

• Do not accept money, gifts or services from anyone who could be considered a professional sports agent or a college booster. If you have doubts, follow your instinct and stay away from such people. Talk with your coaches for advice.

• Recruiters will talk to everyone they can about you--your coaches, parents, school officials and camp organizers--so don't give anyone a reason to say something negative. Don't be late to practice. Be respectful. Play hard, but clean.

Resources

• NCAA rules on recruiting
• Varsity Edge website
• Go Big Recruiting