So you think that the clock has struck Midnight, you didn’t get your invitation to the dance (national combines) and your local media thinks you’re on the JV Tennis Team. Not that there’s anything wrong with playing JV Tennis mind you, it’s just that you’re trying to get a scholarship to play football, not tennis right? Worst off, you’re about to start the 2nd Semester of your junior year.
That clock on the wall is screaming TICK, TOCK, TICK, TOCK and as Scooby-Doo used to say; “ruh-roh.” You’re lying awake like the guy in sales on a Sunday Night that’s got ZERO calls or prospects and needs a big commission by Friday or else his paycheck will cover just enough to buy a 12-pack of tacos…for the week.
What are you going to do about it? You thought you had at least done enough to get noticed by one of the scouting services who in turn could have at least greased a few wheels for you (more on that later.) You listened to the gurus and read all of the “free” self-help online you could about how to get recruited. How did that work for you? You know what you left out? Well for starters let’s look at some things from a rather harsh, but much needed perspective. Also, let’s remind ourselves that we are in the mindset of this being a business and your brand needs rebranding.
Let me throw some things out there. First of all, not once did I mention anything that referred to your play on the field. Maybe you did everything right with the information you had and coaches just aren’t feeling it…yet. This kind of stuff happens. Don’t get mad. Get even. If you’re a part of this scenario then it’s time to do some extra lat pulls, get those shoulders and back ready. You know why? You’re going to have to need the extra muscles to carry that chip that just took roots into your upper torso.
It’s the weight of self-expectations meeting the pressure of having to succeed or else from family or peers whether they’re telling you otherwise. Stay focused though. It’s going to get dicey, but you’ll pull through. I Promise. There are too many schools looking for players nowadays.
Another thing to consider (and this is ESPECIALLY true when it comes to the national combines and their invitations) is that you may not exactly play for a dynasty and you’re not exactly the best player on a less-than-average team. Your team can’t even get on the Bright House GOTW, much less ESPN or even be a part of the equation for 2nd place in your own district.
This doesn’t mean you’re not getting to go play at the next level. It just means you need to reevaluate and rebrand; preferably at your own school since you probably don’t want to be labeled as “that kid” that’s an FHSAA investigation waiting to happen because you curiously decided that you’d rather be a part of the magnet program you said you wouldn’t go to when you were an 8th or 9th grader.
You could easily be playing at a 1-AA or D2 and being an important part of a team that’s going to get you a championship ring before some of your BCS brethren. This is a FACT. Again; brand yourself correctly and to the right people. The right people don’t exactly exist in the recruiting industry either. Last I checked, dudes without lives playing dungeons and dragons in their spare time when they’re not checking twitter for the latest meal that some kid who isn’t even considering his school aren’t able to major in hsfb recruiting in college nor are they equipped with the ability to accurately assess a value meal from McDonald’s in some cases.
Oklahoma St.’s QB was a recruited walk-on and Justin Blackmon was only the 58th best WR according to one “reputable” site. Some of these recruiting “gurus” think that they’re the second coming of Christopher Columbus discovering players like he “discovered” America. You’re really going to wait to be “discovered” like you’re an innocent island in the West Indies just chillin’ until somebody in a boat shows up with a tape recorder and an iPhone?
These national combines are what they are. Have you looked at the rosters? Dude, I saw a kid from California on Saturday that was 6’6” 311lbs. DID YOU JUST READ THAT?! Scary thing is he’s only a sophomore. I bet you there’s 200 OL in this STATE that can play the game better than him though (right now of course, but in a few years?) You want to know why he’s at a national combine though. Duh. It’s his size.
You’ve got to be a fool if you’re an organizer or someone in the business not to have this kid in front of the most influential eyes on the scene. It’s a strategic move. It’s a freaking business. Someday when you graduate with your B.A. in Business Management as a result from the scholly you earned from wherever you’ll understand why they brought that hunk of humanity to the show even though he couldn’t block the road if he knocked a tree in the middle of it you dig?
There are very few “secrets” to success in my opinion. It is the result of preparing the right way, busting your butt and learning from the failure. (Haven’t I already said that in an earlier piece?) It’s not a cliché. You have busted it and sacrificed blood, sweat and tears. You think you’re…there might be your problem. You’re thinking too much. Get your goals reshuffled. THAT’s not too late. Study your film. There are plenty of people that can help you without having to look too hard. It’s not going to cost you thousands of dollars either.
If you feel like you’re working beyond the point of exhaustion ON the field and you feel like there’s not enough buzz then look at your workout regimen. Look at your “measureable” figures. Set different benchmarks. If the folks at the DOE in Tallahassee can implement sweeping changes for the FCAT then why the hell can’t you see that you need to increase your bench by just 10-15lbs.? Why can’t you see that your inability to shed blocks (or make them) is costing you and your team an extra 8 tackles a game or your RB can’t get more than 3ypc because dude’s whooping your butt at the L.O.S.?
Don’t get mad. Get even. Don’t get discouraged. Nobody is coming to your pity party. Even with the plethora of media that exist the saying “not seeing the forest for the trees” applies. One thing about what the local sites do is increase your chance of deforestation clearing out space for you to get some sunlight, but the national and major BCS sites will leave you buried in the bottom of their twitter mentions if you’re not popping when they get their recommendations or do some legwork.
Although people may cover the scene here, you’d be surprised just how many “recruiting” sites are run from offices and basements in states from South Carolina to Pennsylvania. (Here’s a tip, next time you get a call or text from a recruiting website, ask them where they’re currently located. If they tell you they’re a writer based out of Providence or Philadelphia or hell even Charlotte yet run a site that’s covering a team in Florida, what possible connection can they make with you?)
Build YOUR brand through guided research. You’re running out of excuses. You most certainly don’t show up to build a house with duct tape, a ballpoint pen and some cotton swabs do you? There used to be a show on called MacGyver. That concept’s old and tired although if there’s one thing to take from that is that he could build a bomb in that show with those 3 ingredients. Too bad it’s Hollywood and not real life or you’d already have it all figured out wouldn’t you? Now go get rebranded.