NFL Tackle Football

As a head coach of young student athletes, I have always tried to impress upon my players that education is first and foremost. They should select the college that is best suited to meet their academic needs and as well as the athletic program. Although the athletic program is a major component of the recruiting process, young athletes need to also consider the academic curriculum they want to pursue.

Once that decision is made, then they can begin to focus on the reputation of the athletic program and if it meets their needs. Students must be proactive in learning about NCAA recruiting rules and finding the school that allows them the best opportunity to hone their skills. Students should know what the coaches are looking for and be familiar with the type of questions they should ask recruiters.

I offer my players a series of potential questions they may ask a recruiter before making a decision on a particular school. The interview process should be a two-way conversation. The student athletes should ask questions that reflect the gamut of their academic and athletic career while at the university. Questions should be addressed concerning the recruiting process such as: Where am I on your list of recruits in my particular position? What are my chances of playing as a freshmen or sophomore? What is the graduation rate of your football players and what is the graduation rate for minority players in general?

Student athletes need to ask questions regarding academics such as: What type of tutorial program do you have in place for athletes? What kind of academic assist can I expect if needed? Are there programs in place to assist with making the transition to college? And what happens if a class I need is only offered during practice time? Questions should also be asked about the social life of the campus and the future of the school’s athletic program.

But the most important questions are those of the student athlete himself: “Will this school provide all the tools to help me grow academically, socially and physically? Will I be able to advance to the next level in my quest for success? If the answers to these questions are not a resounding “yes”, then maybe he/she needs to re-evaluate his options.

The opinions of the writers do not necessarily represent the opinion of the NFL.