Football is without a doubt the national sport of the United States of America. From the first steps in high school, through college, all the way up to the professional level, many people are looking to be the best players they can be. College football is as lucrative as it is competitive, with college football betting lines watched across the nation by those looking to make wagers on up-and-coming talent. If you’re a person who wants to become a college football player, there is a lot for you to keep in mind and prepare.
If you find yourself overwhelmed with where to start on your journey, then you’ve come to the right article! We’re going to take you through a list of advice that will help you on your way to becoming a college football player, taking into account physical, social, and mental goals that you should be striving towards!
What Do You Need To Have To Get Recruited Into A College Football Team?
A college football athlete is someone who has great skill and shows promise for the future. College coaches are going to look for the best physical athletes that they can find for the positions they have available.
To be recruited for a college football team, potential athletes will reach out to coaches on their list as they continue to push through high school football. Although college football is not considered to be professional in the same way the NFL is, you should consider college football as the true beginning of a professional career.
Trying to pick a team to hone in on is as much about the team as it is about the school in question. Remember that it is college football, and the school is as important as the team you’re looking to play for. Make sure that your academic skill matches your skills in football and that you’ll be able to do well through college.
Tips To Become A College Football Player
Evaluate Your Skill Set
One of the first things you’re going to need to do is evaluate your skill set in relation to the position and team you wish to play in. This means being realistic. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Can any of these be increased or overcome with a little hard work? Considering this and being realistic is a very important part of becoming a successful college athlete.
You need to know where your skills are, and where your ceiling is. This doesn’t mean you should be dissuaded if you are not genetically gifted, but just know that the highest level of football requires a lot of hard work and dedication.
Select Target Schools
One of the most important things to do, after evaluating your skill set, is to hone in on some schools that will be your target. This doesn’t just mean picking one or two dream schools, but instead a long list of different options. If you do this, you’ll be able to cast your net as wide as it will go, for the greatest chance of success! It’s best to select 5 dream schools that may be hard to get into, 10 target schools that will be realistic options for you, and 5-10 safety schools that will be a backup plan if all else fails!
Be Proactive and Positive
Once you’ve selected your target schools, the next step is to begin reaching out for connections. Although getting into a college football team is a lot to do with skill sets and academic achievement, social connections should not be underestimated. You’re going to want to create an impressive highlight video and send it around to relevant coaches with some of your most impressive, key stats.
Throughout this process make sure to be as proactive and positive as you can. Make sure you treat any responses you get (whether they are positive or negative) with respect and a sense of professionalism. If you can carry yourself well throughout this process, then you will give yourself many more opportunities.
Keep On Top Of Your Grades
Increasing your skill set on the field is vital, but so is becoming competent with your grades. Make sure to take your ACT or SAT in the fall of your junior year so that you know where you are and how much you will have to work to upgrade your score. Try to get your grades under control as early as possible, so that the entire process goes a lot smoother for you.
Final Thoughts
So that was our short guide on how to become a college football player. Before you go, we just want to express how difficult and competitive it is to become a college football player. You’re going to need to make sure you are proactive and organized if this path is what you really want.
We would also recommend checking out fanduel college football lines, in order to get a better understanding of how players are tracked and progress throughout a season. We hope that this article has helped you on your way to becoming a college football player. We wish you the best of luck out on the field!