Calling coaches can be one of the most intimidating aspects of a student-athlete’s recruiting process, but it can also be one of the most important. If you are interested in a college/university it is vital that you be in contact with the coach. A coach is never going to invite a prospect to be part of their team if they don’t know the student-athlete and have a sense of their character.
The only real way to build a relationship with a coach is to communicate with them. It is difficult to get to know someone through email and for all that coach knows it could be a parent writing to them, not the student-athlete. It is okay to have initial contact with a coach through email, as long as you progress towards phone calls.

Coaches want to speak with you on the phone so they can get to know you. If you are late in the recruiting process, the more important phone calls become because they will get your questions answered quicker and the rapport will build more rapidly. Remember that you can call a coach at any time, but coaches have strict rules placed upon them by the NCAA depending on what year in high school you are.

Before you call a coach, you must prepare. In order to be adequately prepared for a call with a coach, there are a couple things you must do. First, you need to research the school you plan to call. You should learn some background information on the school and program so you will be comfortable talking with the coach and answering their questions. Second, you should write down a list of questions that you plan to ask the coach. These are some good questions to ask:

· Does your school offer the major I’m interested in?
· What is your graduation rate?
· What is the average class size?
· Are you looking for my position in (your graduation year)?
· When do you want your (your graduation year) class completed by?
· Where do I stand on your list of recruits?
· If I attend your school will I compete as a freshman?
· What is a typical day like for a student-athlete on your team?
· Is there anything else you need from me?

As a rule ask only two to four questions per conversation. Coaches are extremely busy people and if the interest level is mutual, you will have plenty of future conversations to get all of your questions answered. Lastly, you are going to want to have at least a couple of practice phone calls. A good way to practice is to role play with a teammate, family member or coach. This will give you a chance to ask the questions you intend to ask a coach and will get you used to how the conversation should go.

Always remember to be enthusiastic when speaking with the coach so they will want to have future conversations with you and believe you when you say you are interested in their school. The most important thing to remember is that they are just like any other adult. Try not to put them too high up on a pedestal because that will make you more nervous. They are a coach, just like the countless coaches you have had in the past. They are aware that it is difficult for a high school student to pick up the phone and call them and they will respect you more for it. Prepare yourself as best you can and just be yourself!

I was fascinated this week by the coaching debut of San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary. In an effort to get the attention of his players and perhaps stir things up on a less than mediocre season, Singletary sent tight end Vernon Davis to the showers after a late game unsportsmanlike penalty. Davis looked dumbfounded and almost ready for tears as he headed into the locker room before the end of the game. I’m certain he never saw that one coming. I’m not sure anyone did. But Singletary, in his post-game comments, made it clear that the 49ers cannot compete, much less win, with a player who’s main concern is for himself and not the team.

The action and comments from Singletary received so much attention this week because someone finally stood up to a professional athlete and held them responsible for their actions. But not just for how their actions affected him personally, but more for how they affected his team, coaches, fans and the franchise. And it unearthed a lot of the issues that are afflicting this 49ers team. Selfish play. Me-first attitude. Lack of discipline. Lack of respect. Lack of desire to win. Going through the motions.

So, I got to thinking about all the other pro teams and college teams and high school teams out there who probably deal with similar problem players and issues but have not had a public display like this one to bring it all out in the open. And as a former coach, I was delighted to see Singletary make an impression and set a tone right from the start of his career that he will not tolerate that kind of attitude or behavior from his players. And as a former student-athlete, I was reminded of teams I competed on that had similar problems. I thought about my role on the team and how I felt about teammates like Vernon Davis.

So, what about the high school student-athletes out there now, looking to earn a college scholarship. Are you ready for that responsibility? When you sign that scholarship, you are becoming a member of that particular team, but you also are becoming a representative of that athletic department, of that college or university, of that conference, and of the NAIA or NCAA.

Your words and actions should be a reflection of that. Take some time this week to watch Coach Singletary’s press conference and think about what your attitude toward “team” really is. While you seek to earn a scholarship, are you only looking out for yourself? Or are you considering what your role will be in the bigger scheme of things? Have you considered what a privilege it is to be chosen for a scholarship and the responsibilities that come along with it? Make sure your heart and your head are in the right place and keep your eye on the bigger picture.

We’re halfway through the season and student-athletes need to understand where they are in the recruiting process. I recommend you narrow down your choices; get aggressive with college coaches, and find out where you stand on their recruiting board. I have implemented my 3 P’s to help you during the months of October, November, and December.

Positive: Understand that you are getting an opportunity many kids could only dream of. Always have a great attitude during your recruiting process. You will find this is one of the most exciting times in your life. I’ve always looked at recruiting like a box of chocolates: You never know what you’re going to get!

Persistent: Like I said earlier, get aggressive! You are your own agent, market yourself to college coaches. Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons are great times to call college coaches. When you get home from practice or if you’re sitting around watching football, call some schools and find out how serious they are about giving you a roster spot.

Patience: During this time of the year college coaches are under a lot of pressure to not only win games, maintain there players, but to deal with their home life as well. By being patient and staying on top of your recruiting you will start to see the light at the end of tunnel. There will be a home for you if you are serious about playing!

Follow these guidelines and more importantly have fun! College sports are one of the foundations of this country. By working hard for your future you will not only set up yourself up for a great experience, but a successful career as well!

College coaches understand that not all student-athletes perform the same on tests. They do, however, know the difference between trying hard and being lackadaisical. The harder a student-athlete works in school along with his attendance record is strongly considered by colleges prior to a scholarship being offered. Coaches do believe there is a correlation between effort in the classroom and effort on the athletic field of play. Dedication and reliability go hand-in-hand.

2. Communicate with the High School Coach.

It is important that the student-athlete let their high school coach know their intentions in relation to going on to the next level. A student-athlete can not be afraid to let the coach know what type of academic interests they have and what colleges they are interested in possibly attending. The student-athlete should ask the coach to be honest about his talents and potential.

3. Work to improve your physical skills.

Playing a sport at the college level demands great physical skills and discipline. Each level of competition is more demanding and the student-athlete needs to continually improve. In order to complete and to stay injury free, the student-athlete most stay in top physical condition. It is absolutely vital for the player to work on improving their strength, speed, flexibility, agility and individual position skills.

4. Make a positive impression on college coaches.

The way a student-athlete talks, dresses and carries themselves is important when talking with a college coach. The student-athlete that comes across as arrogant, selfish, foul mouthed or rude is someone who will quickly be eliminated by college staff. Colleges want team players who are a positive reflection of their program on and off the field.

5. Be honest with recruiters.

College coaches like student-athletes to be honest during the recruiting process. A student-athlete should not lead a school on if there is no genuine interest. The student-athlete and the high school they come from are viewed more positively by the colleges if they are up front and honest during the recruiting process. College coaching staffs do not have time to waste on an athlete that doesn’t have a genuine interest in their institution and program.

Bill Conley worked at Ohio State for 17 years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

Earlier this year, SI /TAKKLE teamed up with the NCSA to compile the TAKKLE Top 200 football player rankings. In this interview, TAKKLE talks with Randy Taylor to shed some more light on the list. Taylor was the former recruiting coordinator for UCLA. He currently works as an analyst and football recruiting coordinator for NCSA. Coach Taylor worked with Bob Chmiel, NCSA’s director of football operations to compile the list. Bob Chmiel was the former head recruiter at Notre Dame. Together they have recruited over 25 top 20 nationally ranked recruiting classes.

TAKKLE: How did you come up with the rankings?

TAYLOR: Coach Chmiel and I pooled our resources of over 70 years of experience in college football and developed a list of several hundred players to begin the evaluation process. From there it was a matter of grinding through video of the players on the list.

TAKKLE: What are the first things you look for in a HS football player?

TAYLOR: I always start with the feet and work my way up. For instance, footwork is important. Do they have quick feet? Can they change direction? Can they stick their foot in the ground and explode? Once the physical tools are determined it’s time to check for his football skill. Does he do the right things? Can he stick his foot in the ground and run downhill? Instincts are a huge thing. Does he see when a guard pulls and follow him? I am trying to get a sense for their basic feel for the game . Coaches in college will teach the players schemes and technique but I want to get a sense for how good their instincts are.

TAKKLE: How much do physical attributes play into rankings these players? Height, weight, 40 time, etc.?

TAYLOR: That’s a good place to start in that it helps sort out the desired measurables that scouts look for. But there is much more to look for than combine stats.

TAKKLE: What region has produced the best players this year?

TAYLOR: The southeast looks like an easy winner but that’s not unusual. Its not a coincidence that Florida, Florida State, and Miami have produced great teams over the years. And you see that with USF now too . The southeast has more skill, more everything than other regions. If you can recruit down there you will be one of the top teams every year. Texas and California are good as well. In the end, Florida produces 250-300 scholarship athletes every year. If I were to rank all the regions in order my guess would be Florida, Texas, and California in terms of producing scholarship football players.

TAKKLE: Is the hype about Matt Barkley justified?

TAYLOR: I’ve watched him since he was a freshman in high school and I believe he will be a terrific college player. Matt always seemed to have great fundamentals. He can throw over the top. He has always had good arm strength. He has good size. He uses his body to throw and he can spin it. Not too many hitches in his giddyup as they say. Matt has all the intangibles and he has had them for quite a while. That being said let’s not put undo labels and pressure on these kids as so many things can happen to a player that can sidetrack his career.

TAKKLE: On the defensive side of the ball who most impressed you?

TAYLOR: My favorite player to watch this year was Manti Te’o. He plays with such great passion and effort. Just watching him play is so much fun. He always plays hard. He loves to hit. He attacks the ball carrier and he's always around the football. They use the phrase, he plays with his hair on fire, that describes Manti. He has a tremendous passion for the game and it shows in his play and its fun to watch.

TAKKLE: Currently, you ranked Russell Shepard as the #1 prep Football Player in the country. Tell us more about him.

TAYLOR: Russell is kind of a hybrid player with dynamic play making ability. He can influence the outcome of a football game with both his feet and his arm. The reason we picked Russell as the number one player is because he can do so many things well. Russell Shepard can throw and he can run. He’s not a big kid but he will put weight on as he gets older. He can help you win games in a variety of ways. It’s his athleticism that really set him apart.

TAYLOR: What player most surprised you when coming up with the rankings?

TAKKLE: Marlon Brown was probably the guy that surprised me the most. For a young man of his size I was surprised to see how much wiggle he has. My first impression was that I was watching a much smaller running back. He plays a few positions. He is primarily a receiver but lines up as a running back at times. He catches the ball. He can run. He is 6’4’ and can change direction. He moves really well. It’s unusual for someone that size to move that well. He is a fun player to watch.

TAKKLE: In a few years, what players will we be watching on Sundays?

TAYLOR: There’s many but the first guy I think of is Devon Kennard. He has tremendous physical skills to go with a motor and an apparent urgency to get to the ball off the edge. He attacks the ball carriers .He uses his hands very well. He seems to really love to play the game. He hits hard and with athleticism. He’s like a lion attacking a gazelle. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL and is out this year. He should bounce back and do well in college.

TAKKLE: What players do you think are going to take the biggest leap this year?

TAYLOR: Barring any unforeseen circumstances of course, Jamarcus McFarland, a defensive tackle from Lufkin, Texas and Trent Richardson, a running back from Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida are players I see moving up on the list. The more I’ve seen of Jamarcus the more I really, really like him. Same thing with Trent Richardson – the more video I see the more impressed I am. He’s more of an every down back. Those are two guys that will move up in the rankings when we re-evaluate the list.

The Academies

Acceptance: Military academies such as West Point and Annapolis have a prestigious history of fielding some of the best athletic teams our country has ever seen along with first-class education. One thing prospective student-athletes need to understand is that it is tuition free. That’s right it’s free! However, getting accepted into West Point, Annapolis, or Colorado Springs is not an easy task. The academies are very selective in the acceptance process and certain documentation needs to be in order before applying. These documents include letter of recommendations from your state congressman, outstanding GPA, test scores and proof that you are a leader in your community. If you are getting recruited by a coach from one of the academies, I highly recommend you communicate over what is needed to be accepted.

Commitment: Understand that this decision is a commitment. The next four years of your life will be dedicated to earning a degree of your choice and learning the principles of leading our country. After graduation you will be considered a commissioned officer and have a six year enlistment to your branch. The Naval Academy is the only academy where Midshipmen have the option of either serving in the United States Navy or the United States Marine Corps. To learn more about the academies click on these links below:

United States Military Academy

United States Naval Academy

United States Air Force Academy

Reserved Officer Training Corp

Acceptance: The ROTC program is also another great program offered by our military which gives prospective students the opportunity to select the college of their choice while the government picks up the tuition bill. The ROTC program is not as selective with prospective students as the academies, but it is highly recommended that an applicant have outstanding academics and athletic performance. During your four year college commitment students in the program will be enrolled in a series of military science courses and be required to attend military sanctioned events over the first two summers while attending OCS (Officer Candidate School) their third summer and TBS (The Basic School) in their fourth summer.

Commitment: Your commitment after you earn your degree is similar to that of a midshipmen or cadet. You will embark on a 6 year enlistment. If at any point you decide that the military is not for you, you will owe the government the money that was paid for your degree. To learn more about the Reserved Officer Training Corps Click below.

ROTC

Your role as an athlete

Athletics play a huge role in the image of the military academies. Every year the Army versus Navy game is one of the biggest rivalries in our country. As an athlete, not only do you have your responsibilities preparing week to week against opponents, you also have a series of inspections, assignments, and studies. Organization, time management, and being squared away will separate you from the pack.

Serving our country was one of the best career decisions I have ever made. During my enlistment as a young Marine I learned discipline and leadership, and achieved goals I never would have done on my own. These tools helped me become the person I am today and set me up for a great career. To learn more about military life or questions please comment on this blog below and an NCSA Recruiting Coach will be in touch with you.

I am always shocked when I initially talk with athletes about where they want to hope to earn a scholarship. 90% of the time only 5 or 6 schools come out of their mouth and they are almost always Division I schools. If you are serious about earning a college athletic scholarship you need to be looking at a minimum of 50-100 schools across all division levels.

Some athletes express that they aren’t interested in playing at a level they deem beneath their talent level. Stewart Mandel’s latest Mailbag for SI.com should dispel that notion.

While there is obviously a group of elite programs — USC, LSU, et. al., — that still stand head and shoulders above the mid-majors, the line has never been blurrier between the top teams from the non-BCS leagues and the next-rung teams from the major conferences.

What’s been particularly interesting this year is the depth of quality mid-majors. While it’s hardly unprecedented for the Mountain West or WAC to place a team in the top 25, for one such conference (the MWC) to have three teams in the poll is remarkable. And that does not even include UNLV (which has beaten Arizona State and Iowa State) and New Mexico (which beat Arizona). Meanwhile, Tulsa, which has not yet cracked the poll, beat those same Lobos 56-14. And then there’s Boise State, Fresno State, East Carolina, Ball State …

We discussed this ad nauseam during last year’s rash of upsets, but simply put, the number of BCS-caliber athletes coming out of high school has never been greater, and there’s only so many scholarships those schools can offer. While that doesn’t stop a USC or Florida from hording five-star recruits, as you go further down the line, there’s not that big a disparity between the type pf players Oregon and Boise State are recruiting. And as we know well by now, talent alone does not win football games. If so, Florida State would not have three straight losses to Wake Forest.

I encourage everyone to get evaluated by a pro, and to focus your recruiting energies where you fit best. Afterall, there is great football played at every level.