You need to know the truth about recruiting

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  You need to know the truth about recruiting

  You need to know the truth about recruiting

Your son or daughter desires to play college ball. What will catch the recruiters eye? Is it statements like they work so hard or they have wanted this all their life?

As a college coach, I get over 35-50 requests per day from players wanting a shot. Did they attend one of our camps? If so, we evaluated them. If not, and they chose other camps to attend, then they made their choice of the school they thought were good enough to land an opportunity. The exceptionally talented players receive offers, so players trying to get recruited should choose camps of colleges they think they might have a chance to play at.

Talent is the gateway to getting a player recruited. Then other factors are considered. Factors such as; academics, character, coach/ teacher recommendation, history of teamwork, and several others. The key is talent though.

When I was recruiting at a high school this spring, a counselor asked me why I was recruiting one particular player instead of a top academic player on the team. The truth is, academics are very important but it must be accompanied with the necessary talent. Consequently, I told the counselor this particular player was a fit for the Division I level and had the necessary academics but although the other student had the necessary academics, they did not possess the necessary athletic talent.

Students can want to play so much it hurts, but their talent might not allow them the opportunity to play higher level sports. Most of the time these students can find a Division III college to attend and try out because these colleges need numbers of students for enrollment. Division I universities are limited with roster size and the competition for a spot is very keen.

I think it is important to be honest and forthright with students. Although they do not want to hear the truth, it is important for them to hear the truth. Make no bones about it, I do understand there are exceptions.

As I look at players’ accounts on Twitter, here are some statements they make to try to get a college coach to visit with them: I want it bad, I work harder than anyone on the team; I have dreamed of playing college football all my life, no one wants it more than me; I will be the best player on the team, no doubt.

Saying they are better than anyone on the team is ludicrous. If they were that good, they would have been recruited already. When parents make these kinds of statements, it shows they are lost in this process.

According to NCSA, there are nine essential steps to getting recruited. Stay ahead academically, create a list of potential schools, research the team and coach, create a highlight video, create an online recruiting profile, reach out to coaches, attend summer camps and showcases, visit your top choices, make your choice.

I assure you; a college coach will know if your child fits their talent requirements better than you do. I would add to the NCSA list to attend college camps where you think your level of play best fits.

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Thought for the week: “Just keep taking chances and having fun.” Garth Brooks

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Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and college football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com.