brookSport Volume 7 | Page 35

Finding an athletic scholarship can be a difficult, but it’s easier if you know the steps that need to be taken during the recruiting process. There are five common questions that most athletes ask.

1. When does the football recruiting process start? In an effort to get the best players, coaches are looking at athletes as soon as their freshman and sophomore years in high school and sometimes earlier. The advantage goes to the student athletes who are active, informed and have a plan to get their name out.

2. How do I get discovered? A smart recruit will take the right steps to be seen. Exposure is key to getting noticed. College coaches identify prospects by using online tools and databases before they show up to scout games. Get yourself, or your film in front of their eyes so they can accurately assess your abilities.

3. How do coaches evaluate prospects? Coaches don't have the time to attend every high school football game so they rely on highlight film that they receive from trusted third parties. Also college football camps have become vital platforms for coaches looking to evaluate prospects.

4. Where do I qualify to play?

Although most athletes want to play at a D1 school, less than 1 percent of student athletes get a full ride. It is also important to remember that just because you meet the academic requirements of the NCAA, you are not guaranteed to gain admission into the school of your choice. Keep your options open.

5. What is my coach's role? Your coach knows what it takes during the football recruiting process to help you get to the college level. The coach can also help with specific areas that you need to work on to get to that next level. However, athletes should not rely solely on their coach to plan their collegiate future. Getting recruited is a full-time job and high school coaches have many players that are probably asking for help.

5 Things to

Know About

Football

Recruiting

BY THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE SCOUTING ASSOCIATION

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