I'm feeling the opposite. I've seen some kids with great film and work ethic end up tearing up 1aa simply because they weren't tall enough.

 

 

Exception.

 

I say made because not every big kid goes D1. There are a lot of "big kids" playing non-D1 that simply aren't good enough and haven't developed into a top recruit.

 

It's insulting to D1 players to say they're "made."

Most are born with some or a lot of talent . However, it's how you hone that ability that helps you to the next level be it D1, II, III, etc.

D-1 scholarships are born, although there are exceptions. Simple fact, ya can't teach speed...or size.

I remember watching Patrick Towles playing basketball in the third grade and knew he was special. Not because he scored every time he touched the ball, but his size and athleticism was incredible compared to other "normal" 9 year olds. So I'll lean toward born.

Yes.

Exception. I say made because not every big kid goes D1. There are a lot of "big kids" playing non-D1 that simply aren't good enough and haven't developed into a top recruit. It's insulting to D1 players to say they're "made."

 

Oops. Meant it is insulting to say they are "born."

I lean more towards made than born.

I agree. I guess some things have to be in place like size, but many have the size but don't make it to a D1 scholarship. It comes down to the work, not only in the sport but the work in recruiting and being known.

Both - born and made.

 

I would and another requirement - want or desire. They have to want it. Even if they are born with all the physical traits and have had the best training and coaching they still have to have the desire to play at the next level. Mom and dad can give them good genes, they can provide all the camps and training, etc. But mom and dad can not instill the desire. It has to burn internally. No amount of pushing or pleading or compliments will fill that gap if the desire is not there.

I think more born than made, but just by a little bit. You can't teach 6'6 300. A lot of times if the kid can get in a stance and run just a little bit a college will take a chance on a kids potential. Have seen it before. Now, obviously he has to be made into a decent football player, but a great football player made at 5'6 155 MORE THAN LIKELY is not going to make it to a D1 school even if they are very talented

I will say born and made. However, if you don't have D1 size or talent, you cannot make yourself into a D1 player. Conversely, you can have D1 size and or talent and not go D1. You have to have the God given size or talent to be D1. Then you have to put in the work to turn that God given ability in to D1.

 

It looks like we are reaching a consensus on this.

It is both. There's no denying that if you don't have certain measurables (size, speed etc), no matter how good you are, you're not likely to play at the D1 level. That being said, you still have to have the talent, skill, drive and desire to play at that level. That talent needs to be developed. Just having the measurables isn't nearly good enough.

What about place kickers and punters? Do they get D-1 scholarships?

What about place kickers and punters? Do they get D-1 scholarships?

 

Yes. But many times, they get preferred walk on status and earn their scholly later on. It's a tough jump from kicking in high school off a tee, to kicking off the ground.

Better have a whole lot going on in those bloodlines....

I really don't see how you can have one, without the other, and still be considered by most schools. Often times some of the hardest working kids on the team are the ones with the lesser amount of talent. And the reason they work so hard? It's because they have to make up for the lack of God-given ability. Yet despite that work ethic, most of them will never sniff D-1. But, on the other hand, just because you've got the speed and/or size advantage over others on your team, doesn't mean you've got anything near what someone who has the same specs, but works decidedly on improving their game.

 

I think each time you move up a level, and the pool of teams shrink (thus allowing them to choose the cream of the crop), you've just got to have both to have a chance.