Since you can remember, you’ve always wanted to play college football. But now that you’re in high school, it’s harder than you thought to achieve it. It’s good to know that you’re not by yourself. Knowing how to be recruited for college football is not as difficult as you originally imagined; all you need is a little extra assistance.

A few recruiting statistics for College Football

In all of collegiate athletics, football is the sport with the most scholarships. In the US, there are approximately 80,000 college football players playing for close to 900 college football teams.

After high school, you have a 7% chance of playing college football altogether. Even more specifically, the likelihood of playing Division 1 football is barely 3%. How are you going to play college football when the deck is set against you? You must be one step ahead of everyone else if you are serious about playing Division 1 college football.

When does football recruiting begin?

Football recruiting begins the day you decide you want to play in college. You must now complete the tasks at hand on the playing field, in the classroom, and in the weight room.

Once you’ve made this choice, you may move on to finish some of the other requirements for a successful hiring process. This entails looking into camps and showcases, creating a highlight video, and researching institutions. The majority of this work will typically be completed in your first and second years of high school.

Keep in mind that there is a difference between when you should start the recruiting process and when you should anticipate hearing from college coaches as we begin to present dates. Before kids even enter high school, coaches will start to contact the best athletes.

D1 football coaches won’t start contacting you, though, if you’re like the majority of prospects, until your sophomore or junior year of high school. By the end of your junior year or the beginning of your senior year, the majority of the rosters for your recruiting class will be filled.

Coaches from D2, D3, NJCAA, and NAIA often wait until you are junior or senior before actively recruiting you. Because they often pursue candidates who haven’t been picked up yet, they typically begin recruiting later than D1 programs.

For this reason alone, many brilliant candidates need a little extra help in their hiring process and may even include you. The more possibilities you have and the better your chances of success are, the earlier you start.

Setting goals and evaluating oneself

You, your family, and any present coaches you have—whether they be from high school or 7 on 7—come first in the college football recruitment process.

After that, you should take some time to think through and honestly respond to the questions we have put forward here. Be honest with yourself otherwise, it can ultimately backfire. 

How much do I want to play college football? 

Football will eat up a lot of your time, regardless of the division level you perform at. Playing in college is probably not for you if you have trouble staying focused in high school.

Along with courses, study hall, and assignments, there will be early practices, weightlifting sessions, games, film studies, and travel. Before putting all of your efforts into the recruiting process, make sure you are prepared for this level of commitment. The typical day of a college athlete is far more demanding than you might be accustomed to.

Where am I at right now in terms of talent?

Given that we naturally exaggerate our own strengths and that our parents frequently do the same, this may be one of the most difficult questions to answer. To compare where you are now with where you aspire to be, you must honestly respond to this question.

You must assess your athleticism and skill level now and predict how much you can develop by the time you enter your freshman year of college. You should now have an open discussion with your coach about your aspirations to play college football and your ability level. Additionally, you have the option of getting examined by a neutral party like College Athlete Insight.

Can I compete in college sports?

Football players have many options at the Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, NAIA, and NJCAA levels. Please feel free to get in touch with us or your existing coach if you have any questions about what levels you might be eligible for.

It’s critical to comprehend the variations between each division and which ones you can participate in.

Conclusion:

College football is not an easy sport to play. It is crucial to comprehend the mechanics of the college football recruiting process for this reason.

In total, there are more than a million high school football players in the country. Just 7% of them will continue playing at a higher level. Check out the college recruiting handbook right now to receive the assistance you require, in my opinion. It contains all the information a parent or student-athlete needs to secure offers to play collegiate football.

College Football Recruitment FAQs

1) How can I increase my chances of being recruited for college football?

Combines, showcases and highlight reels are the finest ways to get recruited for college football. Combines and showcases are excellent venues for showcasing talents in front of coaches and other team members who are interested in them, while highlight movies can be used to demonstrate athletic prowess while playing actual games.

2) What guidelines does the NCAA have for finding football players?

Depending on the division the school’s team competes in, different NCAA recruiting restrictions apply to football players. Division I coaches must adhere to the toughest regulations and have certain dates and methods for getting in touch with potential athletes. The guidelines that Division II coaches must abide by regarding their interactions with athletes are more lax. Few laws and procedures govern how coaches in Division III can interact with prospective football recruits.

3) Is it possible to complete sports at the college level?

At Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, NAIA, and NJCAA levels, there are numerous alternatives for football players. If you have any inquiries regarding what levels you might be qualified for, don’t hesitate to contact us or your current coach. Understanding the differences between each division and which ones you can engage in is essential.

4) When does football recruitment begin?

Technically, the recruiting process begins as soon as the athlete decides to play collegiate football. Once they’ve picked this choice, they should look into colleges, make their highlight video, and lay the foundation for a smooth recruitment campaign.