College Football - Can I Play?

From the Private Message folder...

I am a HS freshman and play football and I am wondering about trying to get a scholarship for college. I am 5'11" 160 lbs and bench 175, squat 340. I play WR and Defensive end (unusual I know). I run a 40 in about 5 flat.

I think that I will probally have to go to a Division 2 school but I would like to go to Georgia Tech. To get them to look at me do I need to write them or anything? Could you please just explain the whole process and when you tell each step could you include how old I should be when I do that? I dont even know if you could help me without seeing me play but I am a hard worker and give it my all.

First, I am not here to break anyone's heart or spirit, but you need to be honest with yourself. If you don't get any bigger or faster, you should consider yourself lucky to play DIII football. College coaches look for size and speed, and DI WRs need to be in the 4.5 range (a 4.45 all conference WR with a 3.6 GPA and 26 ACT walked on at Miami-OH last year!!). Regarding defense, you will not play DE in college, again unless things change. I would guess that there may not be a single DE less than 6'0" in DI (or DII) football, nor will there be one running a 5.0 40.

Second, don't say you will probably have to go to a DII school like it's being sentenced to prison. Anyone who competes in college - DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, JuCo - should consider themselves lucky to be getting a college education while being part of the sport they love for 4-5 more years.

Third, if you want to go to 1 school, like Georgia Tech, YES, call them, write them, email them. Start now! Tell them you will be getting bigger, stronger and faster, and that it is your goal to be Yellow Jacket. Update them on your progress after your sophomore year, then again and again. Ask them if it would be OK to send some video footage. Ask your HS coach to write a letter on your behalf.

Last, I can't help anyone whose focus is on 1 school only. I help kids who have flexibility - geographically and by division of college competition. You are right, it's hard to assess anyone without seeing them play. I don't argue that you are a hard worker, but there are a million others just like you. Do what you can to separate yourself anyway possible. Start by striving to achieve a 4.0 GPA. You would be amazed at how much this helps!

Great Advice, and to add to that I talked with a coupel UK coaches recently and the first questions they would ask was, how your performance in class and grades are.

Grades are most important

wow, great reply