How To Get Recruited For NCAA Football: Tips From A Pro

Earning a spot on a college football team isn’t just about talent—it requires strategy, preparation, and a solid understanding of the recruitment process. Coaches evaluate players on both their athletic ability and academic performance, meaning a well-rounded approach is essential for securing offers. From scholarships and eligibility requirements to highlight reels and direct outreach, taking the right steps can help you land an opportunity at your best-fit school.

This FAQ guide answers the most common questions about NCAA football recruiting, breaking down everything from timelines and eligibility to how to connect with coaches and showcase your skills effectively.

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Playing NCAA football isn’t just about being the best player on the field—it’s about having the right game plan to get recruited. College coaches are constantly evaluating talent, but they’re also looking for athletes who meet academic requirements, demonstrate strong character, and fit their program’s needs. The recruiting process is competitive, and understanding how it works can make all the difference in securing a roster spot, scholarship, or even a walk-on opportunity.

Whether you’re aiming for a Division 1 powerhouse, a strong D2 or D3 program, or just looking for the best opportunity to continue your football career, knowing when to start, how to communicate with coaches, and how to showcase your skills effectively is key. From building a highlight reel and attending the right camps to navigating the NCAA Eligibility Center, each step plays a crucial role in your recruitment journey.

If you want to maximize your chances of playing college football, you need a strategy that puts you in the best position to succeed. Let’s break it down and get you on the right path to recruitment.

Your Top NCAA Football Recruiting Questions Answered

What Are the Academic Eligibility Requirements for College Football?

The NCAA requires football athletes to meet the same academic standards as other sports. Key requirements include:

• Core Coursework: Completing at least 16 core course credits.
• Minimum GPA: A core GPA of 2.3 or higher.
• Standardized Testing: Acceptable SAT/ACT scores as specified by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Staying on top of your academics not only ensures NCAA eligibility but also demonstrates your ability to balance the demands of college life. Familiarize yourself with the NCAA guidelines to plan your high school coursework accordingly.

How do I create a compelling recruiting profile?

A well-crafted recruiting profile is your first chance to impress college coaches. Your profile should include:

• Athletic Achievements: Key stats, personal bests, and game highlights.
• Testing Metrics: Results from the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, cone drills, etc.
• Academic Credentials: GPA, test scores, and intended major.
• Personal Narrative: A brief story that highlights your work ethic, leadership, and passion for football.

Remember that coaches are looking for athletes who not only perform well on the field but also fit the team’s culture. Tailor your profile to highlight how your strengths align with the needs of the program you’re targeting.

What role does my high school coach play in the recruiting process?

This is really going to vary from high school to high school. Ideally, your high school coach has built many relationships with college coaches over the years as these coaches have recruited many athletes from the program.

However, this is not often the case. In most situations, high school coaches will have limited influence with college coaches and limited time to advocate for you.

You should certainly leverage whatever you can from your coach, but, ultimately, you need to take ownership of your recruitment process and be as proactive as you can.

Build your own list of target schools and communicate directly with college coaches.

How important are highlight videos, and what should they include?

For football, highlight videos are incredibly important. They need to showcase not only your skill set, but also the skill set that is required for your position in order to play at the next level.

For example, a linebacker may be able to put together a video with a lot of really hard hits, but if his reads and reaction times after the snap of the ball are slow or hesitant, he is not going to receive a very high evaluation from college coaches.

It is important to know what is required at your position in order to play at the next level.

What factors should I consider when choosing a college program?

“Fit” is always the word that is used when it comes to choosing a college program.

When trying to determine what is the best fit for you, many of the critical [football] factors include: coaching style/personality, previous success of the program, previous success of the athletes at your position, offensive/defensive styles and roster depth at your position. Perhaps an underrated factor is weather!

How do athletic scholarships work, and what are my chances of receiving one?

Division 1 and Division 2 programs offer athletic scholarships. Each team has a certain number (or amount) of scholarships to offer each year.

Coaches will recruit many players, but only offer scholarships to their very top recruits. Only about 2% of high school football players will receive any amount of scholarship.

Scholarship offers vary by school and are based on a combination of talent, academic ability, and fit with the program. Make sure you understand each school’s scholarship process and maintain open communication with coaches regarding potential financial aid.

What should I do if I get injured during the recruitment process?

Injury can be a setback, but how you manage it is crucial:

• Focus on Recovery: Prioritize rehabilitation and follow medical advice.
• Keep Coaches Informed: Be honest about your injury and progress, and update coaches on your recovery.
• Rebuild Your Profile: Once recovered, work on regaining your form and showcasing your return to full strength through updated footage or tryouts.

Injuries are part of sports. Demonstrating resilience and a proactive approach to recovery can even impress coaches, as it shows determination and a strong work ethic.

How does Ivy League recruiting differ from other NCAA Division 1 programs?

Ivy League schools do not offer athletic scholarships. They do, however, offer admission to the school as a “recruited athlete.” For Ivy League schools, the academic requirements will be much higher than the NCAA eligibility requirements