By: Jerry Williamson – Special contributor
Twitter: @JerryRecruiting
Instagram: @Jerry_RisingStars

Jerry’s Bio:  FIU alumnus, Talent Scout & Journalist for Generation Nexxt, Founder/Chief Executive for Rising Stars and Academic Mentor

2017 – marks approximately a decade worth of experience as an academic mentor finding student-athletes college placement (throughout the southeast region) as well as networking with a number of junior college football coaches and recruiting analyst.

In my first of many junior college football articles for Gridiron Studs, I’ll use my expertise in guiding both the student-athlete and individual of interest down the right path of success as their junior college compass, and concur their academic requirements to become a FBS, FCS, D2, D3 and NAIA signee hopeful.

12 – Unit Rule

The biggest mistake high school graduates experience, when pursuing the junior college route, is taking full-time semester hours at their local community or junior college, and not knowing the moment they enroll in 12 credits, their division one eligibility clock has started. It doesn’t matter if the local community or junior college doesn’t have a football team. Due the student-athlete’s lack of knowledge and guidance, his chances of signing division I, is slim to none. So don’t enroll in anything at 12 credits or beyond to avoid this situation. Last but not least, make sure you send your official transcript (envelope) to your prospective junior college before enrolling or you’ll not be eligible. Always, keep one or two for a backup, just in case.

60 Credits – Associate of Arts Degree

For all non-qualifiers out of high school (meaning not successfully passing their ACT/SAT along with a 2.5 weighted GPA) must earn their associate of arts degree to advance on to the next level. But, here’s how high school seniors set themselves up for failure.

Their mindset is sadly, only on football, and not realizing their ACT/SAT test scores places them into sometimes, the lowest level of college prep. College prep courses aren’t transferable credits that a student-athlete can use towards their 60 credits of obtaining an AA degree. So, a semester or two goes down the drain and now, the student-athlete is playing catch-up academically right out the gate.  This places the athlete into a stressful situation over the next two years.

Four to Five Semester Graduation Rule

Junior college student-athletes who enroll come fall, and who are placed at the lowest prep courses, are given approximately four to five semesters to graduate (Freshman – FALL , SPRING, SUMMER & Sophomore – FALL, SPRING). if they want to have a great experience regarding recruiting. Unfortunately, the student-athlete will most likely graduate during the summer of his sophomore year or even worse, redshirt the incoming fall as a redshirt sophomore and hope college football programs maintain contact.

If you (high school senior) would like to avoid this situation, knowing you fall into this testing situation heading into junior college, this is what I recommend: Immediately take the results of your SAT/ACT test scores to your local community or junior college and see what level it places you at. Next, find a tutorial for you placement test. When I obtained my AA Degree from Miami-Dade College the placement test was named the CPT (College Placement Test).

The next thing I recommend if you don’t test well is taking a year off from football and catch-up with your credits. Remember, the four and five semester graduation rule is now your SAT/ACT at the junior college ranks. Think of it like that. So, it’s vital for your recruiting success.

The moment you graduate high school (April or May), immediately enroll for upcoming summer courses at your community of junior college. You’ll have four free semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer) and remember, don’t enroll in 12 credits. Come August of the following year, you’ll have 36 to 44 credits under your belt.

Core Courses

I have observed college football programs place student-athletes into multiple physical education and football courses to maintain or boost their grade point average. Remember, core credits (Math, English, Science) is what you’ll need to transfer. You can have 15 credits of football related course with a 3.8 weighted GPA and a college football program will not recruit you because academics get you at the next level, not just football.  It’s the same principle.