How to Destroy Your College Athletic Career in 1 Easy Step
This is an excerpt from “How to Get Recruited: A Step-by-Step Plan to Become a College Athlete“.
How could you possibly destroy your college athletic career while you are still in high school in 1 easy step? There are several ways to jeopardize your college career; social media, lack of talent, bad attitude, and over-the-top parents. But there is one sure way to destroy your college career.
Do nothing!
Courtney: “Coaches Will Find Me.”
Several years ago, I was coaching at a Division 3 school. We were not a top Division 3 school or even middle of the pack. We were one of the cellar dwellers of our conference.
On the recruiting trail, I came across a young lady, Courtney (name changed), at a Showcase. It was December of her senior year. Courtney might be the fastest girl I ever coached in 20 years. She had enough talent combined with her speed to score lots of goals. Courtney went on to finish 2nd in the High School State Finals of the 100 meter. The girl who finished third went on to a career in the SEC.
Courtney had two problems. First, she wanted to play soccer, rather than run track. Second, she had a major communication issue: she didn’t ever communicate with anybody that she wanted to play in college. She had the false notion that if she was good enough, coaches would come beating down her door. She had not made her contact information readily available, and not once did she ever call, email, or text a coach. She did not even fill out a questionnaire on a website.
By the time she realized no one was going to swoop in and put her on a roster by magic, I came along. Courtney ended up playing for me for one year. She was totally out of place on my team. She was a Division 1 athlete surrounded by, shall we say, less athletic players.
Fortunately, she found her voice and called a couple Division 1 schools (with my blessing). Her sophomore year she transferred, received a sizable scholarship and started three years at her new school.
She basically wasted a year by being at the wrong school and racked up large student loans. This could have easily been avoided if she had found her voice a couple years earlier.
“Prospects tend to believe that they will be found based on their ability. Sometimes that is the case at the highest club, academy, or youth national team levels but most of the time it doesn’t work that way. Athletes need to do their own research, see which schools are the best fit and then proactively contact the coaches with their schedules, academics, and background.” NCAA Men’s Associate Head Soccer Coach of Oregon State University, Ben Stoddard.
How can you keep this from happening to you?
If you feel like you have been stumbling along or have not even started the recruiting process, it is time to take action.
Nobody can guarantee you that you will end up on a college roster or that a coach will offer you a scholarship. However, you can greatly increase your chances if you know what to do.
If you are ready for Recruiting to be made easy, you are ready for
How to Get Recruited: Got Talent. Get a Plan. Get Recruited.
P.S. Come join our Facebook group, The Recruiting Code. This is the place to be for parents and coaches to talk about college recruiting. Come learn from each other, share stories and get information that will help your child become a college athlete.
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Thanks,
Bryan
I am homeschooled and I love love love football, I cannot play high school ball because I am homeschooled and their are no options my me to play elsewhere. I want to play in college as a strong/free safety. I am very athletic and proactive. I workout every day and read where I can about football and the position I want to play and other positions. What can I do to help my chances in college football?
Joshua, That is a tough one. We homeschool our children so I understand where you are coming from. There are some things that we give up as part of that choice. Obviously being on a football team is one of those. I would not say it is impossible, but it may be difficult to find a coach who will take a chance on you. You do have one big advantage as a homeschooled student. You have time to increase your chances.
Here is what I would do if I were you.
1. You need to be as big and strong as possible. Football is a strength and speed sport. Structure your workouts so that you are outworking your peers. Keep track of your strength and speed (ie. bench, squat)
2. Start contacting coaches. Let them know your situation and what you are doing to become strong enough and fast enough. Ask them for suggestions. Let them know you understand that you probably won’t play right away as you have a lot of ground to catch up. Most importantly, build relationships.
3. Primarily aim for Division 3 and NAIA colleges. These schools may be more willing to give you a chance.
4. Have great grades and SAT/ACT scores so you will receive money from other places than football. A coach will be more willing to take a chance on you if they don’t have to give you an athletic scholarship.
5. I will come back to the most important thing you can do because it is hidden in #2, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COACHES. Begin emailing and calling coaches. Don’t be shy. Go to camps if they have one on campus. Coaches recruit players they come to know. If they like you and believe you have potential you have a shot at getting recruited.
Best of luck. And if you do find a spot, let me know.
Bryan