RECRUITING INFORMATION Basic Information for Athletes with a Goal of Playing College Football
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS 1. Must Have 16 Core Units (Full Years) 4 English (English 9 12) 3 Math (Algebra 1 or Higher) 2 Science (At least 1 Year of Lab) 2 Social Studies 1 Additional Math, English, Science, Social Studies 4 Additional Classes Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language, Non-Doctrinal Religion or Philosophy 2. Must Have a 2.3 Core GPA A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point Core GPA = Total Points Core Units 3. Must Have a 23 on ACT Take Late Sophomore Year or Early Junior Year Retake to Receive Higher Score 2
KNOW RECRUITING RULES Contacts Who can you contact and who can contact you? When can you have communication? Rules for ALL forms of communication Evaluation Periods Exposure Events Combines Campus Visits Unofficial Visits Official Visits Commitment/Signing Verbal Commitments Letter of Intent 3
NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE NCAA recruiting rules do not allow you to go on visits unless the recruit is already registered with the clearinghouse. Register when ACT/ACT results are in. Go to www.ncaa.org Click Register to Become a Student Athlete icon Call (877) 262-1492 4
CHOOSING A SCHOOL ACADEMICS CAMPUS PROGRAM COACHES Qualification Location Prestige Reputation Prestige Technology Television Personality Programs Activities Commitment Assistants Majors/Minors Housing Weight Room Training Staff SCHEDULE NETWORKS FOOTBALL ATHLETICS Conference Alumni Off/Def Style Multiple Sports Non-Conf Internships Playing Time Scholarship Bowls Cultural Position Walk On Off-Season Student Body Weight FBS, FCS, etc 5
FRESHMAN YEAR Meet with Guidance Counselor and Signup for Appropriate Classes Make sure they know you need to qualify for the clearinghouse by junior year, so no filler classes that do not count towards core units. Develop Good Study Habits Set an amount of time aside every day to do nothing but study. Work on Getting a High GPA to Start Don t put yourself in a hole academically. Lift, Condition, Work on Skills Colleges recruit measurable numbers. Lifts, Speed, Weight, and many other measurables. Play Other Sports Recruiting is all about exposure. Playing other sports increases the opportunity for someone to notice you. Go Watch Some College Football Games 6
SOPHOMORE YEAR Take College Prep Classes Make sure you are on-pace with core academic requirements. Take ACT/SAT You can retake for higher scores and you may qualify early. Work on Academic Weaknesses Get additional tutoring in your classes you struggle with. Hire a tutor. Increase Lifting and Conditioning Research Colleges and Universities Put together a list of schools you would want to attend. Attend College Camp of a School on Your List Send Letter of Interest to All Schools on Your List Begin Unofficial Visits Contact schools on your list and set up meeting with coaches. 7
JUNIOR YEAR Stay on Track Academically More tutoring, retake ACT/SAT, more classes, etc Continue to Increase Lifting and Conditioning Review Your List of Schools Monthly with Coach You will change your preferences of what you want most in a school a few times throughout the process. Don t eliminate schools too early, you may find something you really like later. Contact NCAA and Register for Clearinghouse Send Follow-Up Letters, Films, and Highlights, Lifting Numbers, Times, and Information to Schools on List Increases your exposure to the schools on your list that you wish to attend. Attend College Camp of a School on Your List Exposure to coaches and program Continue to Take Unofficial Visits 8
SENIOR YEAR Once You Clear with Clearinghouse, You Must be Sure to PASS ALL OF YOUR CLASSES If not, retake tests and classes needed to clear. Continue to Increase Lifting and Conditioning Narrow Your List Down to Your Top 5 and Schedule Official Visits You are only allowed 5 official visits, so make sure you make them count. Go to the top 5 places you want to go to school. Meet All Application and Financial Deadlines for Each of Your Schools on Your List Find out about early graduation/enrollment options. 9
THINGS TO REMEMBER This is the school s process of choosing you before it is a process of you choosing the school. You do have some control over the process, but do not try to abuse that power or schools will eliminate player. Be honest with your ability to play at the next level. NCAA Division 1 FBS Football Bowl Subdivision (Formerly 1-A) FCS Football Championship Subdivision (Formerly 1-AA) NCAA Division 2 NCAA Division 3 NAIA Junior College Be honest with recruiters and coaches. College Football is a small world. Coaches and recruiters talk to each other. Market yourself by getting grades, test scores, and measurable numbers maximized GPA, ACT/SAT, Speed & Agility, Lifts 10