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The Recruiting Process: Step Three - Recruitment

  1. Questionnaire: The questionnaire from a football program provides a snapshot of important information.

    1. It is critical that you return all questionnaire requests promptly.
    2. Write neatly or type your answers.
  2. Scholarship Offer: An offer indicates the value the school places on your skills.
    1. Indicators/Factors
      1. When did you receive the offer?
      2. How did you receive the offer? It should be in writing.
      3. Who made the offer? It should be the head coach.
  3. Official Visit: The official visit provides college coaches with the opportunity to observe and get acquainted with you and your family on a more personal level. In turn, it allows you and your family an opportunity to get to know and understand the coaching staff on a personal level as well. Each player is permitted 5 official visits.

    1. A typical school presentation during an official visit includes:
      1. A campus tour.
      2. Academic presentation. (meet with advisors/professors in desired major)
      3. One-on-One session with your projected position coach.
      4. One-on-One with the head coach.
      5. Meet returning players.
    2. You should construct a list of at least 10 questions that you need answered. Your questions should address concerns in each major area: football, academic, campus life. Read sample questions.
    3. Top athletes receive visit offers early.
    4. 99.9% of scholarship athletes make official visits at some point.
  4. Verbal Commitments and National Letter of Intent Signing: Verbal commitments and a National Letter of Intent demonstrate your willingness to accept a school's scholarship offer. However they differ in when they can be made and their level of commitment.

    1. Verbal Commitment:
      1. You can give a verbal commitment to a school at any time.
      2. A verbal commitment is not binding (the only commitment is a word of honor).
      3. A broken verbal commitment does not generate any NCAA penalty.
    2. National Letter of Intent:
      1. The National Letter of Intent is administered by the Collegiate Com-missioners Association, not the NCAA.
      2. There are restrictions on signing a National Letter of Intent that may affect your eligibility. These restrictions are contained in the letter of intent. Read it carefully.
      3. You may not sign a National Letter of Intent before the official signing date, usually during the first week in February your senior year.
      4. If you have specific questions regarding the National Letter of Intent, call the NLI office at (205) 458-3000 or check the NLI website.

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