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The Recruiting Process: Step Two - Evaluation

  1. Athletic Ability: Your ability to play the game at a championship level of achievement. Both your pure athletic ability and on-field performance will be evaluated.

    1. NATS Test performance
      • Provides coaches with your standardized and verified athletic measurables they can use to evaluate your athletic ability and to compare you with other players nationwide.
    2. Do you play on both offense and defense? If not, why?
    3. Some programs have the numbers to be platoon oriented.
    4. You may be a marquis (valuable) player.
  2. Do you participate in other sports and related activities?
    1. If so, what positions, weight class, events and times?
    2. If not,why? Are you just focusing on football?
    3. Do you participate in a strength program?
  3. Video Review: Video review is a college coaches primary avenue for judging your game performance. Coaches look at several components when reviewing game film. It is important that you play every snap of every game as though you are fighting for a scholarship. You never know which game coaches will be watching.

    1. General components (motor skills)
      • Demonstrate ability to run
      • The game is becoming more speed oriented; you must do all you can to improve your speed.
      • Position specific - Can you run an opponent down? Do you get caught from behind?
      • Do you have a burst of speed?
      • Demonstrate an ability to change direction, quickness and balance. Are you never or rarely on the ground.
    2. Subjective components
      • Demonstrate tenacity - Play hard every down of the game!
      • Do you allow the success or failure of your team to effect your tenacity?
      • Do you play the game with passion?
      • Do you demonstrate toughness?
      • Do you have a hate-to-lose yet sportsman's like attitude?
    3. Football components
      • Position specific skills
      • Do you make plays at your position?
      • Do you dominate your position?
      • Do you dominate the game?
    4. Football production factors
      • What kind of team do you play on?
      • Does the talent level of your teammates impact your success or failure?
      • What style offense do you play?
      • What is your age?
      • Were you injured during the game? Was your opponent?
      • Are you playing injured? Is your opponent?
  4. Academic Ability: Your ability to function in the school's academic environment.

    1. NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse
      • How many core courses have you completed?
      • What is your Core Course GPA?
      • Have you taken the SAT, ACT or PSAT?
    2. Ultimate question: Will you qualify?
    3. Additional questions
      • Are you a diligent worker in the classroom?
      • Are you an under achiever? (i.e.- high test score, low GPA)
      • Are you an over achiever? (i.e.- low test score, high GPA)
  5. Character: Your ability to fit in the school and football program. An attempt will be made to be as thorough as possible in this area. College coaches will rely heavily on the recommendation of your high school coach and his assistants, as well as other coaches who have direct contact with you in other sports. Understand that a scholarship offer represents a tremendous investment in an athlete. Consequently, college coaches will ask the principal, counselors, trainer, janitor and fellow classmates for an evaluation of your character.

    1. Attitude toward your coaches, teammates, classmates and teachers.
    2. Your work ethic - Are you in the weight room during the off-season and in-season? Are you on the practice field each day?
    3. Are you an unselfish type of player? Does the team come first?

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