By: Chad Wilson
Owner GridironStuds.com

In my last post,  I discussed things that freshman should be doing to put themselves in line to get recruited.  Now don’t get me wrong,  this guide is not to make sure you get offers as a freshman.  Typically,  what leads to early offers are unusual skill sets.   Players that are abnormally large, fast or hyper skilled as 9th graders get the offers.

With that said,  high school does not only consist of your 9th grade year.  Even though the game has gotten shorter because of the early signing period and the transfer portal,  it’s still a long term game.  This means that you have to take certain steps to be in position to cash in at the end.  The end is your senior year of high school and national signing day.

Along those lines,  here is part II of the things freshman need to do to get recruited by college football programs.

Build Relationships with Coaches:

Initiate contact with college coaches and build relationships with them. Attend college football games, visit campuses, and communicate with coaches through emails, phone calls, or social media. Express genuine interest in their programs and inquire about their recruiting processes. Coaches often appreciate proactive athletes who take the initiative to reach out.  Never blow off a coach.  Yes,  it can be time consuming but the coach you blow off today could be the coach that ends up at the school you want to go to tomorrow.

Stay Active on Social Media:

Maintain a positive and professional presence on social media platforms. College coaches may review a recruit’s social media profiles to gauge character and behavior. Avoid controversial or inappropriate posts that could negatively impact recruitment opportunities. Use social media platforms to share highlights, accomplishments, and updates on football-related activities.  It’s best to create a separate account on Twitter for your recruiting information.  It is also ultra important that you create an account on the GridironStuds App.  Either way,  be very aware of what you post on social media.  You don’t want it coming back to haunt you.

Seek Guidance from High School Counselors and Coaches:

Engage with high school counselors and coaches who have experience with college recruitment. They can provide valuable insights, assist with academic planning, and help navigate the recruitment process. Attend college recruitment seminars or workshops to gather information on eligibility requirements, NCAA rules, and timelines.  You may think that you don’t have the time or that these things may be boring.  Change your mindset.  When these things pay off for you down the road,  you will be very glad you did them.

Stay Physically Fit and Take Care of Health:

Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient rest. Focus on strength and conditioning to improve physical capabilities. Stay injury-free by practicing proper training techniques and seeking appropriate medical attention when needed.  The focus as a high school football player is on lifting and running but don’t forget your diet.  Realize that what you eat plays a bigger role in how you look and how you perform than lifting weights does.  A great combination of both will give you the edge over many others.

Remain Persistent and Resilient:

The recruitment process can be challenging and may involve setbacks or rejections. It’s essential to remain persistent, motivated, and resilient throughout the journey. Stay committed to personal growth, continue to work hard, and seize every opportunity to showcase skills and character to college recruiters.  Just like your journey to becoming a good football player,  the journey towards getting recruited will have sticking points.  The same way you didn’t quit lifting weights when you failed in the bench press is the same way you are going to keep pushing when you don’t get what you want initially in recruiting.  The only failure is in not trying.

Combined with Part I of this guide,  the freshman that follows these steps has the edge over all others with most things being equal.  No amount of steps can overcome a physical inability to compete at the next level.  Assuming that this is not an issue that you face,  staying on top of the steps outlined in this article will have you inline to acheive your goal of obtaining a college football scholarship.