Spring football is upon us, and that means colleges coaches will soon be hitting the road to visit high schools, and see the next class of recruits. This is your opportunity as a player to impress the coaches in person. The NCAA has very strict guidelines when it comes to colleges interacting one on one with prospects so don't feel down if you don't get any "face time" with the coaches. The most they're allowed to do is say hi, and briefly introduce themselves. To see exactly what the NCAA allows and when they're allowed to do it...visit the NCAA link to the right, and visit the recruiting calender.
When the college coaches visit your school they will spend most of their time talking with your head coach, watching practice, and maybe even attending your spring game. This is the time for you to make sure your head coach has a copy of your highlight tape, your correct contact information, and a copy of your BEST whole game from last season.
Obviously not every player who thinks he's a real prospect actually is, and your head coach will (hopefully) be honest with you when it comes time to deciding which colleges he should give your videos to. This doesn't mean that you can't still send stuff out on your own, and I highly encourage that. My son's coach once told me that he didn't think my son should target schools above the lower tier of DI programs, but we still sent his stuff out, and he garnered offers from LSU, UF, FSU, etc...
Once you have everything in place with your head coach...it's up to you to perform on the field. Give 100 percent every practice because you have no idea who may be watching. Give 100 percent during your spring game for the same reason, and make sure you get a good film of the game. You can read my post on film in the February archives if you're unsure how to make a quality video.
Once spring is over be sure to send out a highlight tape of your spring game (assuming you had a great performance) to all of the colleges that showed interest in you over the spring. Talk to the head coach, and he can tell you who he spoke to, and which schools are looking at you. You should also send it out to any schools you want to target.
So...get everything in order with your head coach RIGHT NOW, go 100 percent at every practice, and in the spring game. Follow up by sending out video of your spring performance, and building relationships with the colleges that show you interest in the spring. If you do these things spring football will be a very productive time for you!
Email me anytime at: RecruitingInsider.Mark@gmail.com
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Next Update
I apologize for not updating the blog lately. I have been very busy with personal business, and with spring break this week...my youngest is out of school, and I'm taking him to training. The blog will be up and running again with regular updates beginning Monday, April 7. With spring evaluations starting, college spring games, and the Nike Camps underway...you'll want to stay tuned on Monday!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Parental Do's and Don'ts
The do list has already been covered in the previous posts, and they will continue to be talked about in future posts. Keep following the guidelines I have previously talked about and you will have a great chance of getting your child noticed.
I want to take a few minutes and list some of the don'ts. Hopefully you can learn from some of the mistakes I made during the process.
First: Don't alienate any of the programs that are looking at or have offered your child. During Vince's recruitment I allowed people's comments about me and my son to get to me, and as a result I bad mouthed one of the programs that offered him. In hindsight I shouldn't have paid attention to what people were saying and just stuck by what I knew to be true about that program, and that was that the program was a first class organization. It's very easy to get caught up in the criticisms of your child, and your natural reflex is to lash out. Remember to always consider the source before you react.
Second: The NCAA has very strict rules regarding the recruitment of prospects. Before you do ANYTHING that you're unsure about...check with that college's compliance office to make sure it's okay. There are restrictions on who you can talk to, where you can go, and what you can and cannot accept from people or schools. Always check with the compliance office before you do anything that might be considered a gray area.
Third: Allow your child to make their own decision in regards to what school they choose. The fact is that maybe the school you always dreamed of them playing for may not be their best choice. And your choice may not be their choice. Look objectively at every option, check the depth chart, see how they use kids at your child's position, check the academics, location, coaches, and teammates. After you thoroughly research everything, you can guide your child and weigh the pros and cons with him. With your help he will be able to make his own educated choice.
Fourth: Remember to be supportive and keep the process fun. Your child will have a lot of attention on him during this process, and with attention comes pressure. As a parent you shouldn't be too overbearing...he'll get enough of that from the colleges recruiting him, and the critics criticising him.
Until next time you can write me at: RecruitingInsider.Mark@gmail.com
I want to take a few minutes and list some of the don'ts. Hopefully you can learn from some of the mistakes I made during the process.
First: Don't alienate any of the programs that are looking at or have offered your child. During Vince's recruitment I allowed people's comments about me and my son to get to me, and as a result I bad mouthed one of the programs that offered him. In hindsight I shouldn't have paid attention to what people were saying and just stuck by what I knew to be true about that program, and that was that the program was a first class organization. It's very easy to get caught up in the criticisms of your child, and your natural reflex is to lash out. Remember to always consider the source before you react.
Second: The NCAA has very strict rules regarding the recruitment of prospects. Before you do ANYTHING that you're unsure about...check with that college's compliance office to make sure it's okay. There are restrictions on who you can talk to, where you can go, and what you can and cannot accept from people or schools. Always check with the compliance office before you do anything that might be considered a gray area.
Third: Allow your child to make their own decision in regards to what school they choose. The fact is that maybe the school you always dreamed of them playing for may not be their best choice. And your choice may not be their choice. Look objectively at every option, check the depth chart, see how they use kids at your child's position, check the academics, location, coaches, and teammates. After you thoroughly research everything, you can guide your child and weigh the pros and cons with him. With your help he will be able to make his own educated choice.
Fourth: Remember to be supportive and keep the process fun. Your child will have a lot of attention on him during this process, and with attention comes pressure. As a parent you shouldn't be too overbearing...he'll get enough of that from the colleges recruiting him, and the critics criticising him.
Until next time you can write me at: RecruitingInsider.Mark@gmail.com
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Promoting Part II
Obviously performing well at camps, combines, and in games (especially when you make the papers aware) will get you attention from colleges. Many of them subscribe to recruiting services, and they routinely look at both Rivals and Scout (despite their denials). I can personally attest to having a college coach contact me shortly after something I said on a Rivals.com message board, and then have that same coach tell me 2 weeks later that they don't pay any attention to the recruiting sites. THEY DO!
All of that being said, I still believe that you must be proactive and contact the colleges you're interested in on your own. There's a link to the right of this blog that lists all of the DI programs & several lower division schools. The link will take you directly to that school's Rivals.com site (these are not the school's official sites), and you can look on these sites to see who and what types of players these schools are offering. The link is also a great way to Google search the official sites of the schools you're interested in.
The best way to get a college's contact information is on their official website. Nine out of ten times you will need to go to the athletic department's page, and look for the staff directory. You will often find a list of the coaches, their email addresses, and phone numbers. If you cannot find individual information you can always address any film to the "Recruiting Coordinator". You should be able to find an address for the program on the school's site...if not you can call the athletic department itself and ask for the address.
Now that you have the contact information you can send out your game film. I suggest that you mail a highlight video every 3 games. If you're creating email links of your film you can also email the coaches your highlights. I would also email them about any accolades, links to newspaper stories, links to Internet stories, and any stats for a great game you may have had. Be sure to include your personal contact information with each email or land mail you send.
Don't be discouraged if you don't hear anything right away. It doesn't mean they aren't looking, and often the NCCA restricts the contact that colleges can have with recruits. If they're interested they will attempt to find out more about you by contacting you directly (when they can) or by talking with your head coach.
Always keep a copy of your best whole game film available. Highlights often peak a college's interest, but once they're interested they will ask for a whole game film. This allows them to see how you perform when you're not making a highlight. I would also coordinate with your head coach and make sure he has several copies (DVD or VHS) of your highlight video and your best game. Colleges often stop by to talk to your coach without your knowledge, and having these videos handy will make sure the colleges don't leave your school empty handed.
Don't pester the coaches with long frequent emails. Your goal is to sell yourself to them with VALID film and stats. Coaches have little time for frivolous emails and film. Eventually they will recognize you as a waste of their time and promptly delete your emails or round file your film. Keep your emails and letters to the point, and be honest with yourself...are you really what they're looking for? If so....good luck and god bless!
As always you can post a comment if you have a question or send me an email to: RecruitingInsider.Mark@gmail.com
All of that being said, I still believe that you must be proactive and contact the colleges you're interested in on your own. There's a link to the right of this blog that lists all of the DI programs & several lower division schools. The link will take you directly to that school's Rivals.com site (these are not the school's official sites), and you can look on these sites to see who and what types of players these schools are offering. The link is also a great way to Google search the official sites of the schools you're interested in.
The best way to get a college's contact information is on their official website. Nine out of ten times you will need to go to the athletic department's page, and look for the staff directory. You will often find a list of the coaches, their email addresses, and phone numbers. If you cannot find individual information you can always address any film to the "Recruiting Coordinator". You should be able to find an address for the program on the school's site...if not you can call the athletic department itself and ask for the address.
Now that you have the contact information you can send out your game film. I suggest that you mail a highlight video every 3 games. If you're creating email links of your film you can also email the coaches your highlights. I would also email them about any accolades, links to newspaper stories, links to Internet stories, and any stats for a great game you may have had. Be sure to include your personal contact information with each email or land mail you send.
Don't be discouraged if you don't hear anything right away. It doesn't mean they aren't looking, and often the NCCA restricts the contact that colleges can have with recruits. If they're interested they will attempt to find out more about you by contacting you directly (when they can) or by talking with your head coach.
Always keep a copy of your best whole game film available. Highlights often peak a college's interest, but once they're interested they will ask for a whole game film. This allows them to see how you perform when you're not making a highlight. I would also coordinate with your head coach and make sure he has several copies (DVD or VHS) of your highlight video and your best game. Colleges often stop by to talk to your coach without your knowledge, and having these videos handy will make sure the colleges don't leave your school empty handed.
Don't pester the coaches with long frequent emails. Your goal is to sell yourself to them with VALID film and stats. Coaches have little time for frivolous emails and film. Eventually they will recognize you as a waste of their time and promptly delete your emails or round file your film. Keep your emails and letters to the point, and be honest with yourself...are you really what they're looking for? If so....good luck and god bless!
As always you can post a comment if you have a question or send me an email to: RecruitingInsider.Mark@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Promoting Part I
We have talked about promoting yourself through camps, combines, and film. Now I want to talk about how to use all of these things to promote yourself directly to colleges.
Sure great performances at a camp or combine will get you recognition, but why allow the recruiting sites or media outlets at these events to be the only ones talking about you? Why not do it yourself? Not every program subscribes to a recruiting service, and many newspaper prep writers (who happen to vote for the all state teams that colleges DO pay attention to) don't subscribe to the recruiting sites either.
So in part one lets talk about getting yourself some recognition from the newspapers. Of course not every paper in your state cares what you did on Friday night because they have their own area to cover, BUT when it comes time to put the all state teams together...the more writers that know your name the better.
So how do you get your name to them? Well in Florida (and I'm sure in other states...you can do a Google search to find out) the Florida Sports Writer Association makes the all state selections. I looked up their web site by doing a Google search, and found a list of all the member papers including the email addresses of the prep writers.
Every Friday night or Saturday morning after I had tallied my son's stats from the previous game (we watched the game film every Friday night...as should you since you're taping them ...I hope) I would email his numbers to all of the prep writers on the FSWA member list.
I would also email them whenever my son's performed well at a camp, combine, or received an accolade for being an outstanding player.
Be honest and don't lie to the papers...they can double check with the high school coach about your son's numbers. You may be a few tackles or yards off from the school's numbers, and that's expected but to just purposely make up stats will get you in trouble.
Your goal should be to get your son's name out there every chance you can to these papers. Don't let a single writer get by that doesn't know his name. When all the state selections come around he will at least be in the discussion...assuming he had a great season.
This is one area where parents often don't think about promoting their child. They're always intent on sending things to schools (and that's good) but they forget about the prep writers. The more press the better. There's a link to the FSWA to the right of this blog. Search to find out how, and who votes on a particular state's all state teams, and follow the advice above.
You can also include a link to your child's highlight video in your emails. This allows the writers a chance to see him for themselves.
The next blog will cover promoting to colleges themselves. As always you can ask a question by leaving a comment or sending an email to: RecruitingInsider.Mark@gmail.com.
Sure great performances at a camp or combine will get you recognition, but why allow the recruiting sites or media outlets at these events to be the only ones talking about you? Why not do it yourself? Not every program subscribes to a recruiting service, and many newspaper prep writers (who happen to vote for the all state teams that colleges DO pay attention to) don't subscribe to the recruiting sites either.
So in part one lets talk about getting yourself some recognition from the newspapers. Of course not every paper in your state cares what you did on Friday night because they have their own area to cover, BUT when it comes time to put the all state teams together...the more writers that know your name the better.
So how do you get your name to them? Well in Florida (and I'm sure in other states...you can do a Google search to find out) the Florida Sports Writer Association makes the all state selections. I looked up their web site by doing a Google search, and found a list of all the member papers including the email addresses of the prep writers.
Every Friday night or Saturday morning after I had tallied my son's stats from the previous game (we watched the game film every Friday night...as should you since you're taping them ...I hope) I would email his numbers to all of the prep writers on the FSWA member list.
I would also email them whenever my son's performed well at a camp, combine, or received an accolade for being an outstanding player.
Be honest and don't lie to the papers...they can double check with the high school coach about your son's numbers. You may be a few tackles or yards off from the school's numbers, and that's expected but to just purposely make up stats will get you in trouble.
Your goal should be to get your son's name out there every chance you can to these papers. Don't let a single writer get by that doesn't know his name. When all the state selections come around he will at least be in the discussion...assuming he had a great season.
This is one area where parents often don't think about promoting their child. They're always intent on sending things to schools (and that's good) but they forget about the prep writers. The more press the better. There's a link to the FSWA to the right of this blog. Search to find out how, and who votes on a particular state's all state teams, and follow the advice above.
You can also include a link to your child's highlight video in your emails. This allows the writers a chance to see him for themselves.
The next blog will cover promoting to colleges themselves. As always you can ask a question by leaving a comment or sending an email to: RecruitingInsider.Mark@gmail.com.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Introducing Mike James
I spoke a few posts back about the GREAT FREE highlight videos that Derek Williams of Sunshinepreps.net does. If you live in Florida you should NEVER pay to have your highlights done. There is also a Georgiapreps.net and a Texaspreps.net....visit the link to Sunshinepreps on the right for all the contact information.
I wanted to share an example of his work with you by linking this FIRST LOOK VIDEO of Ridge Community High's 2009 RB Mike James. The video says it all, and thanks to this video the DI offers are coming in! Here is Mike: http://youtube.com/watch?v=PdhuxmRu3w8
I wanted to share an example of his work with you by linking this FIRST LOOK VIDEO of Ridge Community High's 2009 RB Mike James. The video says it all, and thanks to this video the DI offers are coming in! Here is Mike: http://youtube.com/watch?v=PdhuxmRu3w8
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Recruiting Mail
I want to talk a little bit about recruiting mail, what it means, the different types, and how a university probably heard about you causing them to send it.
When you begin getting mail from schools it will probably arrive in your head coach's school mail box. It's not uncommon for high school coaches to check their mailboxes very INFREQUENTLY so after you get the first stack of letters from your coach...you may want to check with him on a weekly basis to see if you have gotten anymore.
The first type of letters you are likely to receive will be "form letters" that schools send out to hundreds of prospects. You will recognize these letters by their lack of hand written signatures or hand written notes. Most likely a graduate assistant or recruiting assistant at that school has gotten your name from an all county, all state, or recruiting service list that they subscribe to. They really don't know who you are despite what the form letter may say, but you have somehow made their list and they are now trying to find out more about you.
Another type of mail you will receive in the beginning of the recruiting process is a prospect questionnaire. This is how a school gets your contact information (home address, phone number, etc...) after you fill these out and mail them back...you will start getting letters mailed directly to your home. YOU SHOULD FILL ALL QUESTIONNAIRES OUT AND MAIL THEM BACK.
There is a section on every questionnaire that asks what your top 5 schools are. I suggest that you always list the school that is sending you the questionnaire as #1. Every school has an ego, and if you mail the form back in and you rank them very low or don't list them at all...they may assume you have no interest in them, and they may end contact with you at that point. Your goal is to get as many scholarship offers as you can, and god forbid you list 5 schools that never offer only to alienate the one that would have. DON'T BURN ANY BRIDGES. Play the game to your advantage even if it means stroking the ego of a program you have no interest in. You never know which programs will offer and which ones won't.
When filling out these questionnaires make sure to be honest, but there is nothing wrong with adding an inch to your height (if you're an inch under what they like) and maybe 10 pounds to your weight if you're a little lighter then they like. I'm not telling you to be a liar and really stretch the truth a mile...just an inch or so. Odds are you'll grow at least an inch before you graduate, and put on at least 10 pounds. If you don't think colleges do this themselves then look at their official rosters....look at a player's height, weight, and 40 time...then compare those numbers to that player's NFL combine numbers. You might be amazed how much those players shrunk and how much slower they got when the NFL officially measured them! Hint...Hint
The next type of mail you may get will be hand signed or hand written letters, cards, or notes. It's a safe bet that the program sending these actually knows who you are, and they have a sincere interest in you. It's a good sign when you get these types of letters.
I suggest keeping a list of every school sending you mail. I also suggest that you call the coach from that school that recruits your area, and thank them for the letter. Touch base with them and let them know that you appreciate their interest, and look forward to learning more about their program. They may or may not know who you are when you call BUT you have made contact with them and put your name in their head AND you have let them know that you're interested in their program. You can call a coach whenever, and as often as you like BUT the coaches are limited to when and how often they can call you. You can look on the NCAA link to the right, and look up the "recruiting calender" to see when coaches are allowed to do what.
Whenever you talk to a coach...keep a few notes on your conversation so when they do call you a month or so down the road...you can look at your notes, and reference them during your conversation. A coach may be very impressed when he calls you and you ask him "How's your daughter doing? I know you were excited about her softball game last time we talked." The coach will think, "This kid really has an interest in us if he remembers what we talked about a month ago." Again...play the game to your advantage.
This covers the three main types of mail you will get during the recruiting process, and some tips on how to respond to them. If you have a question post a comment or email me at: RecruitingInsider.Mark@gmail.com
When you begin getting mail from schools it will probably arrive in your head coach's school mail box. It's not uncommon for high school coaches to check their mailboxes very INFREQUENTLY so after you get the first stack of letters from your coach...you may want to check with him on a weekly basis to see if you have gotten anymore.
The first type of letters you are likely to receive will be "form letters" that schools send out to hundreds of prospects. You will recognize these letters by their lack of hand written signatures or hand written notes. Most likely a graduate assistant or recruiting assistant at that school has gotten your name from an all county, all state, or recruiting service list that they subscribe to. They really don't know who you are despite what the form letter may say, but you have somehow made their list and they are now trying to find out more about you.
Another type of mail you will receive in the beginning of the recruiting process is a prospect questionnaire. This is how a school gets your contact information (home address, phone number, etc...) after you fill these out and mail them back...you will start getting letters mailed directly to your home. YOU SHOULD FILL ALL QUESTIONNAIRES OUT AND MAIL THEM BACK.
There is a section on every questionnaire that asks what your top 5 schools are. I suggest that you always list the school that is sending you the questionnaire as #1. Every school has an ego, and if you mail the form back in and you rank them very low or don't list them at all...they may assume you have no interest in them, and they may end contact with you at that point. Your goal is to get as many scholarship offers as you can, and god forbid you list 5 schools that never offer only to alienate the one that would have. DON'T BURN ANY BRIDGES. Play the game to your advantage even if it means stroking the ego of a program you have no interest in. You never know which programs will offer and which ones won't.
When filling out these questionnaires make sure to be honest, but there is nothing wrong with adding an inch to your height (if you're an inch under what they like) and maybe 10 pounds to your weight if you're a little lighter then they like. I'm not telling you to be a liar and really stretch the truth a mile...just an inch or so. Odds are you'll grow at least an inch before you graduate, and put on at least 10 pounds. If you don't think colleges do this themselves then look at their official rosters....look at a player's height, weight, and 40 time...then compare those numbers to that player's NFL combine numbers. You might be amazed how much those players shrunk and how much slower they got when the NFL officially measured them! Hint...Hint
The next type of mail you may get will be hand signed or hand written letters, cards, or notes. It's a safe bet that the program sending these actually knows who you are, and they have a sincere interest in you. It's a good sign when you get these types of letters.
I suggest keeping a list of every school sending you mail. I also suggest that you call the coach from that school that recruits your area, and thank them for the letter. Touch base with them and let them know that you appreciate their interest, and look forward to learning more about their program. They may or may not know who you are when you call BUT you have made contact with them and put your name in their head AND you have let them know that you're interested in their program. You can call a coach whenever, and as often as you like BUT the coaches are limited to when and how often they can call you. You can look on the NCAA link to the right, and look up the "recruiting calender" to see when coaches are allowed to do what.
Whenever you talk to a coach...keep a few notes on your conversation so when they do call you a month or so down the road...you can look at your notes, and reference them during your conversation. A coach may be very impressed when he calls you and you ask him "How's your daughter doing? I know you were excited about her softball game last time we talked." The coach will think, "This kid really has an interest in us if he remembers what we talked about a month ago." Again...play the game to your advantage.
This covers the three main types of mail you will get during the recruiting process, and some tips on how to respond to them. If you have a question post a comment or email me at: RecruitingInsider.Mark@gmail.com
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