Not every kid plays high school football to chase a college football scholarship. Many times, it is still the joy the game provides. The camaraderie, social interaction, the feeling of being on a team and results of hard work. Hey, popularity isn’t bad either. However, a football scholarship is a bonus and a sense of accomplishment for the majority of high school football players with the goal of being a collegiate athlete.
INITIAL STEPS
No matter how bad it sounds or against what is preached by others, college football coaches are recruiting potential college football athletes. They are not searching for glee club members, future politicians or Math club presidents. NOT THAT AN athlete can not have other talents, abilities or aspirations…That’s just the most attractive quality to college coaches.
Athletes are needed to win games. Winning games is the best chance for college coaches to retain their jobs. There could be another discussion about elite high school athlete vs. good high school player. Let’s save that for another time. This is not to say anyone should change the educational philosophy within their household. It’s just what you should know. Along the same lines, Publix doesn’t care about a potential employee’s 40 yard-dash time or how explosive he his from a three-point stance.
With that said, early on…recruiters will verbal offer underclassmen as young as freshmen/sophomores based solely on athleticism which incorporates measureables (Height and weight). Height is more important than weight for young kids because they will add plenty of weight as they mature and gain muscle mass. So weight is not a big deal.
THE ORDER
1. Athleticism
2. Qualifier
3. Character
Please understand! Is it the order we would like it to be? No.
We don’t like that Ladies get in free at some social clubs, before 10:00pm. A) Who wants to go to ____ club before 10:00pm? B) Why only the ladies get in free? hahaha. But you get the point.
Let’s keep moving. We touched on #1. As the prospect starts approaching his junior year the Qualification questions will arise. College Coaches want to know if a prospect will eventually qualify to be a NCAA scholarship athlete. This is why parents need to stay on top of their kids and follow their academic progress.
QUALIFY OR NOT
NCAA Eligibility Center, basically looks at your academics and SAT/ACT to ensure you are eligible to be a candidate for a d1 or d2 scholarship. You have to register with the Eligibility Center. Talk with your guidance councilor. Get busy before your junior year to allow for “make up” time in case freshman or sophomore year was a wash. It happens. We wish for the best but understand the Cs,Ds and Fs find their way on that progress report.
1. A Qualifier – student athlete that has been cleared by the Eligibility Center. He has all the credits required and the required standardized test score. Athlete can accept a scholarship, practice right away and can compete immediately with 4 years of eligibility.
2. Partial Qualifier – student athlete who doesn’t have the required GPA or Test Score. He can accept a scholarship, practice right away but CANNOT play. This is an automatic academic red shirt.
3. Non-Qualifier – student athlete is in trouble. Missing appropriate GAP and or Test Score…way too low. Athlete CANNOT receive athletic scholarship, practice or compete for 1 year.
HERE IS WHAT YOU HEAR/READ AND DON’T HEAR/READ
“I’m blessed to receive an offer from XYZ University.” Read it all the time from the kids right? Yes we do. Reference “THE ORDER” section above. All that matters at that stage is how athletic or how good the kid is.
As the athlete moves into his junior year, the college staff will pay closer attention to his academic record. This is the initiation of #2 (Qualifier). Kids will scholarship offers depending on how far away they are from qualifying as their senior year approaches and during their senior year. You will never read, “XYZ University rescinded my offer because I will not qualify.” Happens all the time. We are talking strictly academics here. Colleges pull offers for other reasons also. But let’s stay on grades.
CHARACTER
If a player checks out with:
1. Athleticism
2. Will Qualify
Last is Character. College coaches will monitor the actions of prospects in various forms. Talk with several people, track social media accounts, account of their social groups and keep up with local publications. College staffs will create a profile on each prospect. When younger, kids are expected to make bonehead choices. But that junior and senior year, the maturity level of a prospect can make all the difference in the world. Character is pivotal when deciding between two similar prospects.
LAST…
Pocket the order we provided and know what your kids are doing on the field, classroom and trust they making good decisions when outside of your sight. BCP and High School coaches will promote potential college players. But hands are tied if a prospect doesn’t do his part to qualify or does bonehead stuff on a regular basis.
You Don’t want to hear, “Your son is not going to qualify.” Be proactive to make sure everything lines up. Double check he has taken the appropriate classes, made the required grades and passed the required standardized tests.