What happens during a Junior Day event for football recruits?

Junior Days are an important part of the recruiting process for football recruits (as well as athletes in other sports) because it gives you a chance to see the campus, learn more about what their program has to offer, and meet the coaching staff.  Some of these events are extremely exclusive and they try to bring in around thirty players while others will bring in hundreds of athletes and invite hundreds of others.  That really just depends on a school by school basis.

But for those who have not been to a Junior Day, what exactly should you be expecting?  I have spoken with a number of athletes who have attended Junior Days over the years as well as college coaches to have a very good feel for what goes on during the athlete’s time on campus.  Find out what some of the things that will occur.

Here are some of the main things that may occur while you are at the school.  Again, there is no guide that says this and this happen at every single Junior Day.  They vary all across the country.  Some may focus more on the football program while others may be selling the academics more often.  Outside of a meal (which happens in the majority of the cases), here are some things that may happen at a Junior Day that you will attend.

Tours of the campus
The coaches will be selling you on all of the finer points that the school has to offer.  That is why these campus tours will happen at basically every Junior Day you go to.

Academic information
You may think a school like Alabama would focus just on football but the main theme of a recent Junior Day was academics.  This includes the programs offered, seeing the facility, and learning more about the school in general.

Meeting coaches
Unless the program does a bad job with the event, you will get to meet least one coach.  There will be some events where you will meet every coach because they make it a point to do so.  At others, where there are hundreds of athletes, you may speak with a coach for five minutes and that is all.

Highlight video
Expect to see footage from the team over the past few years.  If they won anything like a bowl game, conference title, or national title, expect that to be emphasized.

Player Panel
This doesn’t happen too often but I love it when it does.  The coaches get a few of the current players and they let the recruits ask questions about just about anything.  These happen more often on official recruiting visits but I heard about a Junior Day that recently did this.  I think it is great to get some answers from players.

Basketball Game
If the Junior Day is held during the winter and there is a home basketball game at the school, expect to see at least a half of the game.  They will likely be providing you with front row seats and give you great treatment during the time.

Spring Practice
If the Junior Day is during the spring, expect to see a Spring Practice or even the Spring Game.  These events will be tied into one another so that you will get a chance to see what playing at the college level is all about.

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