How to Get Recruited as a Football Player

There are about 120 Division I football teams, with as many as 85 athletic scholarships available at each school, according to NCSA Athletic Recruiting. That adds up to roughly 10,000 opportunities to play college football at the highest level. There are thousands of other scholarships up for grabs at smaller colleges, universities and junior colleges. Yet competition for all of those spots is fierce. There are accepted ways to attract the attention of the coaches at schools in which you are interested. So, unless you are a superstar, and can pick and choose which school you want to attend, following the recommendations of people who thoroughly understand the recruiting process might make all the difference in your quest to play college football.

Things You'll Need

  • Videotape
  • School transcripts
  • Endorsement letter from high school coach
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Instructions

    • 1

      Know your level. If you are a running back shooting for a scholarship from a Division I team, you should be at least 6 feet tall, weigh 210 pounds, run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, bench press 315 pounds and squat 415 pounds. At a Division III school, running backs should be 5-feet-10, weigh 180 pounds, run the 40 in 4.7 seconds, bench press 265 pounds and squat 350 pounds. Although there are exceptions to the rule for superior athletes, the guidelines give you an idea of what coaches are looking for in terms of physical attributes.

    • 2

      Prepare your material. You need a highlight tape on DVD to send to coaches at the schools you want to attend as well as recruiting networks such as Rivals.com. You also need an endorsement letter from your high school coach. As NationalUnderclassmen.com states, "You must have your coach's endorsement to get recruited, period."

    • 3

      Contact and talk with coaches. College coaches are severely restricted from calling potential recruits who are not yet seniors. However, you can initiate calls to coaches and should do so on a regular basis. Ask questions about a coach's philosophy, team and school. You can make as many informal visits to different campuses as you desire, which might give you an opportunity to meet coaches and players.

    • 4

      Keep up your grades. Preferred grades for football players at all college levels include a 3.0 or higher grade point average and an SAT score of at least 1,000. Even if you just want to be a football player, be aware that only a small percentage of college players make it to the professional ranks. So, major in a subject you enjoy and prepare yourself for a career if your football dreams don't take you pro.

    • 5

      Go to as many combines and showcases as you are invited to. These events are prime recruiting territory for college coaches, since they can compare the skills of players from around the country.