The Facts (Introduction Part II)

Signing day for the class of 2008 wasn't even 2 weeks ago, and you are already seeing committments roll in, and offers go out for the class of 2009. You may ask yourself, "How can all of these schools offer and accept committments from kids who haven't even played one down of their senior year?" The answer is simple: These kids are known commodities.



In today's competitive world of recruiting where multi-million dollar coaching salaries, and millions of dollars are at stake for the university based on how well their football program does...recruiting is KING! Who a school recruits today will be the future (and hopefully the success) of their program. Colleges are looking for an edge...a way to stay one step ahead of their competitors....and a way to get on the best kids as early as possible. A recruit tends to show respect to the first program that offers them, it more often then not...at least gets that school a visit from the recruit.



The old days are OVER! If you wait around on a coach to find you, and you're rolling into your senior year...you will be playing from behind when it comes to getting a scholarship offer. It's possible, but what coaches call "sleepers" (a recruit they find out about during the player's senior year that isn't well known) are few and far between. Don't rest your child's future on hoping he will be spotted. So how do coaches find these players early on? The answers are below:



If you are lucky enough to play for a program that is consistently in the state playoffs, you play for a team that has a long tradition of sending kids to the next level, you play for a coach who tiressly works to get his players scholarships, or a combination of any of the above...you are one of the the lucky ones!! You will probably have to do very little to help yourself.



BUT if you play on a new program, a losing team, a team that doesn't produce many next level players, or you play for a coach who does little or nothing to promote his players...THEN YOU BELONG TO THE MAJORITY! Just because the things I just listed applies to you...it doesn't mean there aren't "next level players" (maybe yourself) on those teams. It just means that you will be the who has to do the leg work to get yourself recognized.



It's important to point out here that NOT every player who thinks they're good enough to play college ball actually is. It's also important that parents set aside their blinders, and realize this themselves. Fortunately there are several levels of college football, and even though you may not be DI caliber...you can still earn a scholarship to a lower division school, and continue your education while playing football. That's what it's really about...earning that degree, and for many kids...sports may be the only ticket they have to a college education.



So how does the second group of kids get recognized (the majority), and when should they start? Tune in tomorrow, and I'll tell you.