The way to playing college football is through varsity high school football. The road to being a varsity contributor and/or starter initiates with work and development. Where does that development begin? Many times it is at the junior varsity level.

Because varsity football is usually the alpha sport at any high school, many parents and players would rather skip over junior varsity and start their high school football careers as a varsity player. Is this the way to go? What if it is by necessity for the varsity program?

Can a potential prospects’ growth and development be hampered by playing varsity football (by necessity) too early? “In my opinion yes” says Ken Crawford (Pinellas Park head football coach). Crawford continues with

“Bad film is never good, even if he is young. Not playing is never good, if you try to sell a kid to a D1 school who didn’t play.

The question will always be ‘why?’ Unless you are a 10 game winner, with big time D1 guy in front of him, there is no good answer.” Playing is the key. Having repetitions and experience is priceless. “Kids hate sitting the bench. And may lose interest if they are not a Friday guy. Once a kid knows he isn’t going to play, he will not work as hard & a lot of time will just wait for his year (unless they are special).” said Crawford. In this day in age, if a player is not playing, “Transfer” is always the next step. Seldom do kids work their butt off and compete for playing time or even wait for their time to come. Kids want to play and play now which could hurt them.

On the other hand, schools will have freshman and sophomores that contribute early on the varsity team. Bypassing the junior varsity team, possibly because they were just “That good” and could help the varsity program immediately. East Lake has had a number of players to do that over the years; George Campbell, Artavis Scott and Mason Cole to name a few. Head football coach, Bob Hudson has a different take on young guys playing early. Can a potential prospects’ growth and development be hampered by playing varsity football (by necessity) too early? “I don’t think so. All my freshman and sophomores that have played on varsity have gone on to play in college.” Mark Kantor (Wiregrass Ranch Head Football Coach) agrees with Coach Hudson. He believes the competition on the Varsity level will add to their overall experience,

“Allow them to develop the skills necessary to advance and play at a higher level.”

Read what Hillsborough Terrier assistant football coach Alonzo Ashwood had to say. “I think when you have a successful program, college prospects will be part of the process. We know that not all schools will have 10 Division 1 players. But it all starts out early and the JV program is just like a farming system. When a player reaches the varsity level, that’s where the fundamentals should be taught over again so the growth of those young players will be on track.”

Part 1: Junior Varsity downplayed, has tremendous value for players and programs.
Part 3: Junior Varsity Downplayed, Struggles Hold Back Programs