How to Stand Out in the New Division I College Football Recruiting System
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Welcome back to The Future of Division 1!
In today’s post, we offer high school athletes, coaches, and parents some advice on how to stand out in the ever-changing Division I college football recruiting system.
If you want to learn more about the recent changes in NCAA Division I college football recruiting, check out our recent post here.
Showcase Athletic and Academic Talents Effectively and Strategically
High School Athletes
Imagine your journey to Division I college football as a two-lane road. One lane is your athletic development - honing your skills and pushing your limits. The other, equally as important, is your academic path. It's tempting to focus solely on athletics but remember: your GPA is your ticket to the game. Without strong grades, even the most impressive athletic achievements might leave you behind. In the world of Division I college football recruitment, academic eligibility isn't just important - it's essential.
High school athletes can begin to track their academic eligibility by creating an account through the NCAA Eligibility Center as soon as possible. Here is a quick look at the minimum requirements set by the NCAA to qualify to play in your first year.
Multi-purpose Athlete
For high school athletes eyeing Division I college football, athletic versatility can be an asset. Adding another sport to your repertoire isn't just about expanding your athletic skills—it's about standing out in the recruiting process. “Being a well-rounded athlete can help in the recruiting process,” said Amber Shelar, a Certified Athletic Trainer who works at a high school in North Carolina.
“Being a multi-sport athlete not only shows your athletic abilities, it also shows that you are able to manage athletics and school.” In an interview with the Des Moines Register, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said recruiting multisport athletes“ is a huge piece to our recruiting process because it gives us at least one answer to the intangible that’s really important: How do you compete?”
Camps and Combines
Imagine getting a chance to showcase your skills over the summer, surrounded by fellow athletes and watchful Division I football coaches. Football camps and combines, though they can be costly, offer a stage to shine and set yourself apart.
When you attend a camp or combine, make every moment count. Impress with your skills, but also with your character. Introduce yourself to coaches and staff; today's handshake could be tomorrow's scholarship offer.
In the world of Division I college football recruitment, these camps aren't just practice grounds - they're launching pads for your dreams. So strategize, participate, and make your mark both on and off the field.
Coaches & Parents of High School Athletes
Coaches, you can be the bridge between your athletes' dreams and their Division I college football futures. Take your team to football camps hosted by university football programs and give your athletes a chance to showcase their talents and get first-hand experience at a university.
But don't stop there - build relationships with local universities and their coaching staff. “I’ve worked at a few high schools and can tell you that coaches who have relationships with local and state-wide universities really can make a difference,” Shelar shared. “I’ve seen new coaches connect with previous players to help bridge the high school-university connection and I’ve also seen high school coaches take their teams to summer sleep-away camps. All these things help athletes in the long run.”
Beyond the field, coach your athletes on the recruitment process itself. Hold sessions on how to stand out, how to communicate with college coaches, how to navigate this complex journey, and how to support each other.
Parents, your role is equally crucial. Support not just your athlete, but their coaches too. Remember, while coaches can help lay the groundwork, you and your athlete must hold the reins of this process.
Together, coaches and parents create the foundation from which these young high school athletes can launch their Division I college football dreams. It's a team effort, extending far beyond the sidelines.
Networking and Putting Yourself Out There
High School Athletes
Athletes should network with other high school athletes, parents, and families to share resources and experiences to benefit everyone in the recruiting process. Talk with your peers about their experiences. Chat with any Division I college football player you meet and ask them about their experiences and challenges they faced during the recruitment process.
Reach out to Division I college football Coaches
In Division I college football recruitment, proactivity is key. This includes reaching out to Division I college football coaches directly. You should be sharing and posting vertical video demonstrating your size, speed, agility, and other attributes relative to your sport and the position you play.
One way to contact Division I college football coaches is through social media. Athletes can use Tiktok and Twitter/X as a recruiting tool to reach out directly to coaches with their game film. Richard Shelar, a rising senior, has been using Twitter/X to reach out to coaches and send his film. “Twitter is a direct way to reach coaches and share my film with them,” Shelar said. “If I want to get recruited, I have to get my film out there and in front of coaches,” “I can’t wait around for schools to contact me. I really want to play and so I gotta do what I gotta do.”
Ensure your profile and account are professional in appearance. Your bio should include your GPA, graduation year, position, and any other basic information a Division I college football coach may need. Your profile picture should be a professional looking photo, your Twitter handle should also be professional, and your content should be clean. Keep your posts focused on your athletics skills. Remember, what happens on the internet, stays on the internet!
Don't neglect email outreach either; it's still an effective way to connect with coaches directly. Be sure your email is written professionally, and you provide the coach with all the information they may need (your recruitment profile, GPA, test scores, etc.). Their information is usually readily available on the athletics website.
In Division I college football recruitment, the ball is in your court. Be proactive, put yourself out there, and increase your chances of turning your college football dreams into reality.
Coaches & Parents of High School Athletes
In today's digital age, high school coaches must evolve to help their athletes. Whether we like it or not, the old ways of recruiting are becoming obsolete. Coaches have to harness the power of platforms like Twitter/X and Hudl to showcase your athletes' talents. And with this, you can help guide your players in creating professional social media profiles for recruitment, emphasizing responsible online behavior. Even better - establish a team Twitter account to share game highlights, tagging relevant Division I college football programs to increase visibility.
Beyond the digital realm, build personal connections with college coaches. Reach out to local colleges, email them about specific athletes, and arrange face-to-face meetings. Your network can be the bridge between your athletes and their Division I college football dreams.
Parents - Empower your athletes to actively participate in their recruitment. Guide them in connecting with coaches, developing professional online recruiting profiles, and effectively sharing their achievements.
Remember, in modern recruitment, you're not just developing athletes – you can help shape them, their digital presence, and expand their opportunities through your professional network.
The Power of Perseverance and Support in Division I College Football Recruiting
High School Athletes
Remember this, aspiring Division I college football athletes: your journey is uniquely yours, and initial rankings don't dictate your future. Consider the stories of Aaron Rodgers, who wasn't even recruited out of high school. Or Russell Wilson and T.Y. Hilton, who were two-star prospects. They are each NFL legends who defied early expectations.
These stories aren't anomalies – they're reminders that recruiting rankings are just snapshots, not destinies. Your potential isn't defined by stars or early attention. It's shaped by your determination, work ethic, and ability to grow.
So, if you're not getting the recognition you hoped for, be patient. The road to Division I college football success isn't always straight or well-lit. Keep pushing, keep improving, and remember – some of the brightest stars in football once stood right where you are now, overlooked but undeterred.
Coaches and parents of High School Athletes
In the high-stakes arena of Division I college football recruitment, coaches and parents are crucial players in an athlete's journey. Your role is to create a supportive environment that nurtures dreams while managing the intense pressure of the process.
Start by reframing the recruitment journey. Instead of emphasizing choices, focus on opportunities and big picture. Each path, whether it aligns with initial expectations or not, offers potential for growth and opportunity. Have open, honest conversations with your athletes about their goals and aspirations. Listen intently and honor their dreams, even as they evolve.
Balance is key. While encouragement is vital, be mindful of the pressure athletes face and if you are compounding it, intentionally or not. Amber Shelar, a high school Certified Athletic Trainer, cautions from experience: "I've seen first-hand how pressure from parents can affect an athlete, their mental health, and ultimately, their performance." Pressure may motivate some athletes, and it could have a negative impact on others. Know when to motivate and when to console—the recruitment process is an emotional rollercoaster, and your athletes will need both your push and your comfort.
Ultimately, your impact reaches far beyond developing athletic skills. You're shaping resilient individuals capable of navigating both triumphs and setbacks in their pursuit of Division I college football success. In this journey, your balanced support can make all the difference.
Conclusion
The path to Division I college football is as unique as the athletes who pursue it. Whether you're a high school player dreaming of the big leagues, a coach nurturing talent, or a parent supporting from the sidelines, remember that this journey is a team effort.
In the world of Division I college football recruitment, it's not just about where you start—it's about how you grow, adapt, and persist. Every interaction, every post, every practice is an opportunity to move closer to your goals.
As you continue on this path, stay informed, stay connected, and above all, stay determined. Your Division I college football dream is within reach, and with the right approach and support, you have the power to turn that dream into reality.
You are The Future of Division I (D1).
For more information
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/DI_ReqsFactSheet.pdf
