‘Edgy’ Tim: What are high school football players missing with the recruiting process?

I'm asked often about the football recruiting process, especially how prospects can improve their chances of being recruited.

I'm not a coach or a paid recruiter, just someone who has covered the process for decades. I've worked with players and parents while running various camps and showcase events. I’ve worked alongside college coaches at all levels.

How can you improve your recruiting stock? How can you gain more recruiting attention and interest?

There are several areas players, parents and coaches often overlook or miss entirely.

Communication

In an era where we have more communication tools at our disposal than ever before, any college coach will tell you getting a prospect to return a call or text is harder than ever. Prospects who answer phone calls, however, have consistent recruiting success. Be sure to return texts and work to develop a relationship with coaches at every level. You need to be able to sell yourself to coaches. What sets you apart from everyone else? What makes you special? College scholarships have never been harder to obtain. The ability to sell yourself to others is so important.

Are you recruitable?

Several factors come into play in the recruiting process, and for me one of the biggest keys is making sure your own business is in order. How strong is your highlight video? Have you had your head coach or college coaches watch and evaluate your tape? How are the grades? Are test scores in order? Not having the grades remains one of the biggest and easiest red flags for any college coach. For some reason parents and prospects still think grades don't matter anymore and they are wrong. Grades still matter no matter your talent level.

How is your relationship with your head coach?

This seems like a no-brainer. But having a good relationship with your coaches is very important when it comes to your recruiting. Your head coach is one of the key primary contacts for any college looking for potential recruits. College coaches reach out to your head coach in most cases before contacting the prospect. Have you asked your head coach for his evaluation of you and what level he would recommend you play in college?

Are you the best player on your team?

Second best? How much extra work do you put in week in and week out? Are you a team leader? What type of student are you? How well do you get along with teachers in the school and would they recommend you to colleges? College coaches will ask you and your head coach these questions regardless of the level.

My advice

Stay open to all levels of college football. Everyone wants to play at the Power 4 level and run out of the tunnel at Notre Dame or Michigan, so feel free to aim as high as possible. That's a given for anyone wanting to play college football. The reality is you'll be better off and have a better chance of success if you cast a wider net. Welcome calls, texts and contact from college coaches at all levels. If you are a current senior and you aren't hearing from many schools right now, fill out recruiting surveys for more schools. Tag college coaches on your Hudl video. Target schools that offer your planned field of study, offer a great education and an opportunity to play.