THE ODDS
1 IN 12 MAKE
A COLLEGE ROSTER.
Most of those spots aren't at the schools on Saturday TV. That's good news. It means there are more doors than most families know about.
1.03M
High school football players
Play at any NCAA level
8.1%
3.4%
Play NCAA Division I
4.7%
Play NCAA Division II or III
NCAA data from 2024-25. NAIA and junior college rosters aren't counted, so real college opportunities are higher. The goal isn't "D1 or bust." It's the right school, at the right level, where your athlete plays and graduates with little or no debt.
SIX LEVELS.
ONE RIGHT FIT.
SWIPE FOR ALL SIX →
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS.
KNOW YOUR LEVEL.
Coaches recruit to a body type. A 4.8 running back won't draw D1 interest. A 6'0", 220 lb lineman isn't a D1 lineman. They can still play in college, at the level where the numbers fit.
TE
4.7-4.85
FBS 40
FBS 6'4"+ · 230-250
FCS/D2 6'2"+ · 220-240
WR
4.5
or faster
FBS 6'0"+ · 175-200
FCS/D2 5'10"+ · 4.55-4.65
RB
4.55
or faster
FBS 5'9"-6'1" · 190-215
FCS/D2 5'8"+ · 4.6-4.7
QB
4.7-4.9
FBS 40
FBS 6'2"+ · 195-220
FCS/D2 6'0"+ · 185-210
DB
4.50
or faster
FBS 5'11"+ · 180-200
FCS/D2 5'10"+ · 4.55-4.65
LB
4.6-4.7
FBS 40
FBS 6'1"+ · 215-235
FCS/D2 5'11"+ · 4.7-4.8
DL
4.8-5.0
FBS DE 40
FBS 6'3"+ · 260-300
FCS/D2 6'1"+ · 245-280
OL
6'4"+
FBS height
FBS 285-315 lbs
FCS/D2 6'2"+ · 270-295
+0.15
Stopwatch 40s usually run 0.1 to 0.2 seconds fast. Coaches know it. Get a laser time at a camp or combine.
* General ranges coaches commonly use for senior-year prospects, not official NCAA standards. D3 and NAIA programs take athletes of almost any size who can play. Staffs always make exceptions for great film.
GET TESTED.
GET SEEN.
GETTING SEEN
WHAT COACHES
LOOK AT FIRST.
1
FILM
The first filter. Coaches decide in 30 to 60 seconds. Best plays first, 3 to 5 minutes, and make it obvious which player you are.
2
SIZE + SPEED
If your numbers fit the level, your film gets a real look. If they don't, great film usually isn't enough.
3
GRADES
Strong grades unlock academic money and make you an easy yes. Weak grades quietly take you off lists.
4
IN PERSON
College camps are where evaluations get confirmed, with the coach's own eyes and stopwatch.
5
STATS + AWARDS
Nice to have. They count least.
Timing rules. D1 football coaches can't send private messages until September 1 of junior year. You can contact them any time. Wrong level. Build a list of 30 to 50 schools across levels, aimed where your numbers fit. Wrong person. Email the position coach and the area recruiter, not just the head coach. Weak first message. Name, grad year, position, height, weight, verified times, GPA, Hudl link and your HS coach's phone. One personal line about their program. No camps. One camp at a school that likes your film beats ten emails. Follow up every few weeks with something new: updated film, a new verified time, a grade report.
MYTH OR STRATEGY
TRANSFER TO A BIGGER SCHOOL?
Mostly myth.
Coaches find talent anywhere. Playing time beats the logo on the helmet.
WHEN IT HELPS
-
Better competition makes your film more believable
-
A staff with real college relationships
-
More college coaches already visit
​
WHEN IT HURTS
-
You sit behind a starter. No snaps, no film
-
You lose a coach who'll vouch for you
-
Transfer rules can cost you games
DOING IT YOURSELF
GREAT COACH.
NO RECRUITING HELP.
Very common, and fixable. Many high school coaches are great teachers but stretched thin. Your family can run this.
THE ATHLETE
LEADS.
Sends the emails, makes the calls, talks at camps. Coaches want to hear from the player.
THE PARENT
SUPPORTS.
Runs the school list, deadlines, camps, travel and the money questions. The voice stays the athlete's.
Start with the NCAA Eligibility Center early. Homeschool coursework goes through a separate review that takes longer. Keep detailed course records from 9th grade on. Ask your high school coach for small, specific help: take college coaches' calls, share film, and give an honest reference.
OFFICIAL VISIT
THEY PAY.
-
Travel, lodging and meals covered
-
Athlete plus up to two family members
-
Two nights max, one per school
-
D1 football window opens April 1 of junior year
-
Means a school is seriously interested
UNOFFICIAL VISIT
YOU PAY.
-
Unlimited, any time outside dead periods
-
Junior days, game days and camps count
-
Perfect for 9th and 10th grade research
-
Call ahead so a coach can meet you
Any time: you can email, call or visit coaches. Sept 1, junior year: coaches can message, email and text you. April 1, junior year: official visits open. Senior year: home visits and signing a financial aid agreement. Rules change often. Confirm at ncaa.org.
COACH TALK
BEFORE YOU
BELIEVE IT, ASK.
Promises are easy. "We can get him seen." "Come play for us." "We love your son." Most come from good people, but words aren't a plan. These questions separate real opportunity from hope.
A HIGH SCHOOL OR CLUB COACH
"COME PLAY FOR US. COLLEGES WATCH OUR GAMES."
ASK
​
1 Which of your players signed with a college in the last three years, and at what level?
​
2 Who on your staff calls college coaches for players, and how often?
​
3 Where would he fit on your depth chart, and who's ahead of him at his position?
​
4 Can I talk to the parent of one of your current seniors?
​
5 Would he be eligible to play right away under our state association's transfer rules?
Most state associations, including Florida's, prohibit high school coaches from recruiting players to their school. A pitch to transfer is a reason to slow down.
A TRAINER, SERVICE OR "CONNECTOR"
"I KNOW COACHES. I CAN GET HIM RECRUITED."
ASK
​
1 Which athletes have you helped place, and can I call their families?
​
2 Which college coaches, by name, will actually see his film?
​
3 What exactly will you do, and what will it cost in total?
​
4 What happens if nothing comes from it? Is any of the money refundable?
​
5 Can I see that in writing before I pay anything?
Nobody can guarantee a roster spot or scholarship. Only a college can offer one.
A COLLEGE COACH
"WE LOVE YOUR SON. HE'S ON OUR BOARD."
ASK
​
1 Is this an offer? Is it a roster spot, a scholarship, or both?
​
2 Is the scholarship full or partial, and for how many years?
​
3 How many players are you taking at his position, and where is he on your list?
​
4 What do you need to see from him next?
​
5 Who on your staff is our contact, and does this still stand if the head coach leaves?
Interest is not an offer. A clear answer in writing is the only thing you can count on.
- Mass emails and generic camp invites - A social media follow and nothing else - "We're watching him" with no next step - Big promises with no names, numbers or dates - Pressure to pay or commit right now
- Personal calls or texts from his position coach - A staff member meets you at camp or junior day - They ask for full games and a transcript - An official visit invite - An offer with specifics, in writing
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
NO GUARANTEES.
NO SHORTCUTS.
WALK AWAY IF
FREE AND LEGIT
-
Anyone guarantees a scholarship
-
"Coaches are waiting to offer your son"
-
Big fees before any results
-
Pressure to sign today
-
Showcases that won't name the coaches attending
-
Camps run by the college itself
-
A free Hudl profile and your own emails
-
NCAA.org and the Eligibility Center
-
Your high school coach as a reference
-
Electronically timed combines
Ask anyone charging you: which players did you place in the last two years, and can I call those families?
GRADE BY GRADE.
9th
Foundation
Grades count from day one. Weight room. Film every game.
10th
Build
Hudl profile and first reel. Verified 40. School list. NCAA Eligibility Center.
11th
The big year
Junior film gets evaluated. Email coaches. Camps. Official visit invites in spring.
Summer
Camp circuit
Best-fit camps. Official visits. Narrow the list.
12th
Decide
Updated film early. Compare total cost after aid. Pick a school you'd love without football.
