Every year on September 1, the college football recruiting process starts. This is also when Jack Elway gets excited again, because he loves seeing the buzz among all the high school players hoping that they will get into college on a football scholarship. Of course, many of them also hope that they will eventually make it to the NFL. On September 1st, however, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) allows for their Divisions I and II, which are the top college football programs, to start sending prospective athletes college materials. Usually, this means that kids start to receive letters that demonstrate a college is interested in a player, and questionnaires are also sent out.
Bexley Wallace started to receive college recruiting letters in the summer before the 8th grade after playing up two grade levels for AAU basketball over the summer. She now has over 30 letters from schools all across the country. Some scouts have already labeled Bexley the number one recruit in the class of 2018. (Dispatch photo by Kyle Robertson)
What Does a College Football Recruitment Letter Mean, as Explained by Jack Elway
Player in high school who have their hearts set on playing in college have to make sure that they take these letters and questionnaires seriously. They need to complete all details that are required as accurately as possible. One of the most important elements is that of contact details. If those details are not included properly, then there won’t be a starting point for the coaches either. They will be coming out to evaluate and observe players, so they need to know how to reach them.
If you do receive a letter from a college program, then you should give yourself a pat on the back. This is incredibly exciting and a confirmation that you truly are a very good player. However, these letters are not a guarantee that you will actually get to play football in college, and you have to be realistic about that. Of course, they do mean that there is an interest in you, and that you have done well as a player in high school. It usually also means that your speed, strength, weight, and/or height is what colleges are looking for.
However, thousands of these letters are being sent out each year to all players who stand out even just a little bit, and only a small minority of them will get drafted. When you get a letter, therefore, it means that you are on a mailing list, and that you are on a watch list. That doesn’t mean that you are guaranteed a place on a college football team, or that you are guaranteed a scholarship. All it means is that the college wants to take a closer look at you, and this is what will be the deciding factor. But that is huge, and it is the first hurdle that you will have to come across.
If you receive a letter, you need to read it carefully. You also need to supply all the information that is required of you, and doublecheck it for accuracy. Most of all, however, you need to make sure that you keep playing incredibly well, because you might be getting observed without even being aware of it. Essentially, the letter means that you have a real chance.
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