| Do you want to play college football? It is the | | | | same privileges and access as a scholarship |
| dream of thousands of high school players every | | | | athlete does, but will be paying 100% until you |
| year to make it too the next level. There are | | | | become a contributing player. |
| over 306,000 senior high school football players | | | | Here are 5 quick tips to play college football: |
| every year. Of those only 17,500 on average will | | | | |
| make it to the NCAA. That number includes all | | | | 1. Start the recruiting process early: While it is |
| freshman from DI, DII and DIII. Less than 6% | | | | never too late to start technically, those football |
| take the step and play in college. That number | | | | players who start before their Senior year have a |
| may seem low and it is. | | | | much higher success rate. |
| The main reason high school players don't play in | | | | 2. Get good grades: Even though the NCAA |
| college is simply because they don't want to. That | | | | Clearinghouse minimum can be met by anyone |
| means if you have the desire and a little talent, | | | | with a high school diploma, 50% of DI programs |
| you will be able to find a college to play football at. | | | | can't get you past admissions without a 3.0 GPA. |
| If you just want to play in college, enjoy your | | | | 3. Get great film: Make sure you get a copy of |
| social life and have a great overall experience, DIII | | | | every game tape. Even if your coach films the |
| is the place for you. Those football players who | | | | games, give him a blank tape to make a copy. |
| want to play in college and earn a scholarship are | | | | You will need these when making your personal |
| up against serious competition. There are 85 | | | | recruiting packet. |
| scholarships in NCAA DI, 63 in I-AA and 36 at DII | | | | 4. Take the extra steps: Are you lifting extra |
| colleges. | | | | during the off-season and in-season? Are you |
| To compete for these and play college football | | | | doing extra conditioning and speed work outside |
| you need to have a recruiting system that you | | | | of practice? Putting in a few extra hours a week |
| are willing to put time and effort into. There is no | | | | will show during games and is what separates |
| easy way to play college football, you have to | | | | scholarship from walk-on. |
| work. Those football players who put the same | | | | 5. Communicate: Tell your high school coach you |
| effort into their recruiting as they do on the field, | | | | want to play in college. Call college coaches and tell |
| as the ones who get invited to camp. | | | | them you want to play for their program. If |
| You can also walk-on at all NCAA football | | | | college coaches don't know about you and don't |
| programs. What you want to be is called a | | | | know you are a player, they can't recruit you. To |
| "preferred walk-on." This means you go through | | | | play college football you need to put in effort, |
| the recruiting process the same as you would | | | | both on and off the field. Off the field in the |
| when seeking a football scholarship. If you are not | | | | classroom and towards football recruiting. With a |
| offered a scholarship by the college of your | | | | solid recruiting plan you can beat out the |
| choice, you can ask to be a preferred walk-on | | | | competition and find a great college football |
| and get invited to camp. You will have all the | | | | program to play at. |
