Notes On The Recruiting Process

care of Dave Peloquin (Notre Dame Recruiting Assistant)

THE PROSPECT

A) Academics are important and can really help in the long run – Don’t wait until Senior year.
Identify schools you are most interested in

• Narrow down to manageable number
• Research each school
• List pro/cons of each with and without football

B) Should approach decision like any other student; sit with parent and decide where YOU want to go.
C) Summer camps

• 2 way street for colleges and prospects
• Different level coaches are in attendance

D) Combines

• Make sure you are prepared to perform

E) Tape

• Highlights are good for skill players. Linemen tape is better

ACADEMICS
A) Develop a protocol with the counseling office to monitor grades.
B) Understand the difference between NCAA eligibility and University admission requirements
C) NCAA requires 16 core courses.
D) Encourage all student athletes to take ACT/SAT in fall of Junior Year

• Encourage taking some sort of class in preparation of the test
• Take as many times as needed.
• There are ways around the cost of the test.

RECRUITING PERIOD

A) Understand when it’s a contact period and when its an evaluation period.
B) Spring recruiting – Colleges are allowed to visit your school twice during a 4 week period from the last 2 weeks in April through the end of May
C) During this time, coaches can view video, watch practice, and gather information. Coaches may not talk with prospects at this time.

RECRUITING IN GENERAL

A) Encourage your players to attend college, there is a level for everyone
B) Internet services have no rules – don’t allow them to dictate or interfere in the process
C) Understand NCAA rules

• If you think there is a small chance that it is illegal, it probably is

D) Coaches and prospects need to take control of the process

• Set ground rules

E) If possible establish an assistant coach as the liaison for all general recruiting issues

• Let schools know when the best time to contact you and your staff
• Establish a protocol for video tape requests / transcripts / phone calls
• Understand who on your team wants to be recruited and what level do they think they are

F) Be proactive not reactive with recruiting;

• In the long run it will help your program
• Athletes will want to play in your program

G) Establish relationships with college coaches at all levels

• You never know (coaches move, their prospect database moves with them)

H) Meet with your prospects and their families to go over the recruiting process.

North vs South

Chicken or the Egg argument

I guess I don't have enough to do in practice to keep me busy, but out of curiosity on trying to maybe pinpoint a cause for the reason for discrepancy in quality of football played in the country, I took a look at the EXPECTATIONS / ORIENTATIONS of the demographic culture of football in America, with the underlying root being directed at the proliferation of DI schools in the country.



Using the traditional Mason-Dixon line as the DMZ of college football we split the United States into the "haves" and the "have nots", sort to speak.

Out of 250 total DI (+ sub division) football programs in the 50 States...

57 DI NCAA
58 DI NCAA Sub Division Football programs exist in the "Southern" states, for a total of 115 DI programs in the country.

Nearly 1/2 of all Top College Football programs reside in these 15 "Southern" States.

Is it because this is the hotbed for athletic football talent?

Does so many DI schools raise the level of play at the lower levels in those states?

Does the lack of many DI schools in Northern states diminish the potential talent in their states?

Also, another thing I'd like to consider is the proportion of Military Bases in these states, and their contribution of local tax dollars (as well as a steady influx of families supplying young athletes) to support community football.


Personally, being a Yankee, I have to believe that YES those DI schools DO matter and DO have a significant contribution towards the development and "athletic maturity" of young athletes.

In the North, you have your pick of DIII schools, but the DI program is largely out of reach. In the South, you have your pick of DI schools in your area and the STANDARD for how football is supposed to be played, gives you a good idea of physical expectations of play ( making the likelihood of knowing someone that went to a DI program more likely).