Talent evaluators and college coaches are continuously looking for the next best thing.  The next prospect who can help a football program win football games and make an instant impact.  Those players are rare, but they do exist.  Even for players who will not be highly recruited, somethings just don’t change when evaluating prospects to play at the college level.

It is easier for players and parents to understand what college coaches do not want to see, whether than what they are looking for.  Aside from everything listed below and all the bells and whistles that come while being a college prospect, the number one thing that jumps out to any evaluator is EFFORT!  Every play requires effort.

Below is a list of “NO NOs” that evaluators and college coaches do not want to see when evaluating a college prospect on film, at a showcase or in person at a game.

QB
– Not recognizing pre-snap reads
– Not transferring weight and or stepping into throws
– Lack of ability to buy time with your feet
– Inability to feel or anticipate pressure from pass rush

RB
– Tackled in the open field
– Tackled by one defender. Have to be able to make a single defender miss
– Running out of bounds on the sideline instead of lowering the shoulder or making something happen
– Falling backwards. Make the most of short yardage runs. Put head down and always fall forwards

WR
– Alligator arms. Scared to catch the ball in traffic.
– Not high pointing the football when in the air
– Giving up on the route when it looks to initially be covered. Continue to find the open window or fight to get open
– Not blocking on run plays
– Not exploding off the line of scrimmage when not primary target
– Inability to get off the line scrimmage vs press coverage

TE
– Allowing defender to split double team
– Falling to the ground. Off balance when making a block or getting thrown to the ground be defender
– Inability to Get off the line on pass plays

OL
– Not finishing the block. Must produce pancakes
– Feet in the mud. Must run feet on contact
– Not engaging on contact and driving defenders into the dirt

DE
– Lack of quick first step
– Not displaying good hands. Show technique and a variety of pass moves
– Sloppy footwork when changing directions. Stay tight on pass rush track

DT
– Getting blown off the line
– Not using hands
– Not holding gaps

OLBs
– Giving up numbers to pulling linemen
– lost in pass drops
– Not able to tackle in space
– Not redirecting receiver pass routes
– Slowing down on contact. Run through tackles
– Lack of leverage

ILBs
– Ankle tackling
– Getting caught up in traffic
– Quitting on the play
– Slow attacking gaps
– Second guessing keys and reads. Read and attack
– Not shedding blocks. Allowing defenders to latch on

CB
– Not attacking the ball in the air
– Knocking down a ball instead of attempting to intercept the pass when able
– Shying away from run support contact
– Lazy in back peddle. Explode out of break

S
– Stopping feet. DBs can not play with dead feet
– Breaking down too early to make a tackle
– Late or not filling the alley on run support
– Dropped INTs
– Redirecting angle to AVOID contact