In addition to my comments on NAIA ball. The kids playing are every bit as talented as many D1 players. In most cases just run 4.7s/8s instead of 4.5s or 2 inches too short. Its really, really good football. At the end of the day, the kids going to the NFL from college is like being struck by lightening, so go play football where you can in college!!:ylsuper:

If the kid is 'every bit as talented" than why is he .2 seconds slower and 2" shorter? Don't get me wrong, there is very good football at all the levels. It takes an elite kid to play pro football.

In addition to my comments on NAIA ball. The kids playing are every bit as talented as many D1 players. In most cases just run 4.7s/8s instead of 4.5s or 2 inches too short. Its really, really good football. At the end of the day, the kids going to the NFL from college is like being struck by lightening, so go play football where you can in college!!:ylsuper:

Exactly. Many people fail to understand that, many times, the only difference in the levels of play is an inch or two of height. A 6'6" lineman may play D1, and a better overall lineman that is 6'3" may play NAIA.

 

Example: Nick Sither from Georgetown was a great DE this past year could have played D1, he's 6'3" ish. He is getting a NFL shot right now. For him to make it in the NFL he will probably have to make the transition to OLB due to size. He is one of the most talented and skilled football players in the country (proven by his NFL invites), but didn't get a shot at a D1 school because of his size, not because of his talent.

Exactly. Many people fail to understand that, many times, the only difference in the levels of play is an inch or two of height. A 6'6" lineman may play D1, and a better overall lineman that is 6'3" may play NAIA.

 

Example: Nick Sither from Georgetown was a great DE this past year could have played D1, he's 6'3" ish. He is getting a NFL shot right now. For him to make it in the NFL he will probably have to make the transition to OLB due to size. He is one of the most talented and skilled football players in the country (proven by his NFL invites), but didn't get a shot at a D1 school because of his size, not because of his talent.

 

I agree. I tend to separate things like overall talent from simply speed as TAC stated above. Give me a kid that can say, run his routes perfectly, catch everything thrown his way, superior understanding of the game and runs a 4.7/4.8 over a kid that can simply run a 4.5 and have average "football" smarts. But guess what, the 4.5 is going D1 every time regardless of any other factor, that's my point overall. That's exactly why you see so many examples of kids going to run track in college and then get turned into football players. Speed or height are only variables in overall talent IMO. The Georgetown kid is a great example. I also think I read somewhere that he wasn't the only one at Georgetown that had a pro day either this year.

NAIA can absolutely be legit. Dennis Rodman is the highest-level NAIA player (any sport) to come to my mind.

Want my son to play for a military academy. He has often pointed out that he wanted to go into the Navy. Been looking at military academies that offer athletic programs. The US Naval Academy if by far the best. Not saying my son is at this talent level, but could still get a great education. Take into the service of his country or the private sector. I do believe he has the capability to play. I am sending to IMG Academy next week and looking forward to what prevails. I agree with InItToWinIt, that playing on any level after high school is a great accomplishment.

So many opportunities out there to play college football.

 

Much of it has to do with sticking it out, especially at the lower levels. As others have said, there is some great talent at the NAIA, D2 and D3 levels, so don't mistake me saying there are many opportunities for saying those levels are a slouch. I finished my playing years (played all through college) at the NAIA level. But, while there, I saw sooooooooooooooo many kids come and go.

 

What's the saying, "Those who stay, will succeed." Or something like that? A lot of truth there.

 

No other sport out there offers 22 starting positions (24-25 if you count kickers). College football teams will play in upwards of 40 or so kids every Saturday (WR's, RB and DL rotations... a handful or more of guys designated just for special teams). Nothing out there matches that.

 

Opportunities are endless. Just a matter of how important it is to you.