Is accepting a four in five year athletic scholarship a good deal?
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Before going into this, let me explain what exactly is a four in five year scholarship. The athlete is asked to walk on at the school and pay their own way the first year. During that season, the player will be redshirted and have a chance to adjust to the college level. Once that year is completed, the school then puts the recruit on scholarship. They pay for year one then get the next four years on scholarship.
The reason why the coaches do this is that it allows them to help balance out their scholarships. If they have a rather large class of freshmen currently in the program, it would be better for them to take a recruit and use this to distance two years between the large group and this recruit. This method is used very frequently in basketball recruiting but I have also seen it used in football recruiting. Sometimes schools also offer three in five years where the athlete pays the first two years of schooling and then the school pays for the last three.
Updated Athletic Recruiting Definitions for Parents and Athletes
When talking about the recruiting process, there are a number of different terms and phrases that I use. While it is something that I assume most people know, I do realize that for people new to the athletic recruiting process, some of these terms may go over your head. So with that in mind, I have decided to start an article that has different definitions of athletic recruiting terminology.
This definitions article will hopefully be updated every few weeks or months as to help families throughout the recruiting process. So if there is anything that you have questions about, please let us know so that we can get it added. The list is in alphabetical order and has a quick definition on each term. Also see the related articles on each definition as well.
Athletes believing that attention and letters equal a scholarship offer and why this is not a great way to think
I recently had an opportunity to speak with a basketball recruit about what college programs had been showing him interest. This talented athlete is very gifted but he just wrapped up his freshman year on the court. For the record, let me state that he obviously is very young and early into the recruiting process.
This player has had a lot of success while growing up in hoops but he seemed to believe that because a school sends you a letter, there is a good chance that he will have an opportunity to go there. This unfortunately is the mindset of many athletes and parents who go through the recruiting process.
Big Time Athlete Syndrome during the athletic recruiting process
I have written about ways that you can use Rivals, Scout, ESPN, and your local media to help get your recruiting attention out in the public. The reason that I stress this is important is because college coaches read these sites and that can help them start being very aware of you and your abilities. When you use these people in the media, I have stressed the importance of being loyal to them as well.
Unfortunately one thing I have started noticing over the last few years is what I would like to call Big Time Athletes Syndrome. This seems to happen all the time and is something I would strongly encourage to avoid when going through the recruiting process. So how does this happen?
Each coach will say that they have a unique evaluation process for scholarship offers during the athletic recruiting process
When it comes to college coaches and their evaluation process, it is always extremely interesting how some vary compared to others. And while most have similar processes on how things are handled, each school wants to say that they take a unique path when offering scholarships.
I personally think when coaches say that, it is basically a line. What they really mean is that we have better prospects ahead of you or we just haven’t had the time to actually look into your highlight video. In the end, most college coaches are looking for the same things in prospective athletes. Ability, work ethic, and character are three of the main things that they are searching for.
I got an offer from a Division I-AA (FCS) football program. What does that mean financially?
Many of the top Division I-AA (FCS) football programs use their camp like BCS schools across the country. They try to bring in as many top rated recruits as possible, and if they see one that stands out, most are not afraid to extend a scholarship offer.
The problem with receiving this scholarship offer is the fact that at the Division I-AA (FCS) level, the scholarship amounts vary. In the majority of cases, they are not going to extend a full ride so it is likely o be a percentage. But what does that mean to you financially for paying for college? And what if you want to accept it? …CONTINUE READING =>
Stats don’t mean s*** during the football recruiting process
I have talked frequently about the importance of excelling at college camps during the football recruiting process. These camps are when college coaches get a chance to work with you, evaluate your skills, and have you battle with other top rated recruits in-attendance.
What I have seen over and over during the last few years is that these college camps are more important than your highlight video, full game tapes, and what you did during any of your high school football seasons. I have seen it before and will continue to see it again. If you can blow up during the camp circuit, you will put yourself in line for scholarship offers regardless of what you did during the fall.
My son outplayed a Division I football recruit. Where are his scholarship offers?
With the high school football season just around the corner, many of the top prep players are working in preparation for a great year. Some of these prep players are among the best in the country and have received multiple Division I scholarship offers.
While the total numbers of Division I recruits are small, chances are good in most areas that a football player will eventually line up against a Division I recruit sometime or another during the season. Some people think that if their son outplays this Division I recruit, they should have scholarship offers and coaches knocking down the door. The problem is that it just doesn’t work that way.
How do I help myself in football recruiting when attending college camps?
With this being July and football camps in the rear view mirror for the summer, this article may be coming out a little late. But being able to help yourself at football camps does apply if you will be attending football camps in the future. Because little will change for the most part regarding these camps, this is definitely a list of things that you need to keep in mind.
Obviously the reason that you want to do these things is so that you really can help yourself standout at the camp. It is never an easy experience for athletes but these camps are essential in the football recruiting process. So if you plan to attend camps in the future, keep these tidbits in mind and maybe even bookmark this page! Onto what you can do to set yourself apart at these camps.
Recruiting is a unique process that will likely never happen again your life
The majority of athletes that I have talked to time and time again tell me that they are glad to have the athletic recruiting process over. It is relieving to them that they no longer have to worry about which college they will attend, dealing with visits, and answering calls from college coaches.
Yes, this stuff can get stressful but when in your entire life are you going to have a number of people wanting you to join their team? If you are a sought after recruit, you may have hundreds of different options to pick from? This is a time that will never happen again in your life.