ZONE COVERAGE

What a Difference A Year Makes 

2019 – What a year!  We were very busy.  We attended coaching conferences and clinics throughout the country.  We presented at college fairs and college recruiting seminars. We hosted college recruiting town halls in several cities.  Oh yeah, we also went to a lot of football games😊.

And maybe you’ve heard of this app that we created called ROUTE College Football Recruit in the app store - ROUTE ?!!! I hear it’s pretty slick: recruits and coaches in all 50 states have downloaded the tool and are using it to help them find their best fit for college football.  But I digress…  

For our final newsletter of the year, we thought it would be great to share the collective wisdom we’ve acquired through the thousands of conversations we’ve had with recruits, parents, high school and college coaches this year:  

Student/Athletes

Character matters: Coaches have stressed this again and again.

I want athletes with strong character.

I want a kid that will do the right thing even when no one is looking.

Is this recruit mature enough?

Is this person coachable? Accountable?

Academics are very important. In today’s competitive landscape, the better your grades, the more options you will have.  Don’t shoot for the minimum academic standards of your target program – exceed them.  Don’t wait till your junior or senior year to start focusing on your grades!  

Work ethic – how hard are you willing to work to achieve your goals and to help your team win? Are you willing to adapt to the regimented schedule and lifestyle of a college student-athlete: the 6 a.m. workout sessions/practices? Will you be on time to team meetings? Will you work hard in the classroom to help boost your team’s GPA?

Parents

Help your kids prepare for the “next level”.  This means teaching and helping your son to become responsible and accountable.

Acquaint yourself with the recruiting process.  Don’t wait till senior year to have a one-on-one with your high school coach.

Help and encourage your son to find his best “fit” school/program.  Ask questions.

Coaches (High School/Recruiters)

Parents/recruits are very impressed with coaches that communicate authenticity and sincerity.

Listen and pay attention to what is most important to a recruit and his family, i.e. strength of the program, academic reputation of the school.

Let the recruit and his family know where they stand as soon as possible/practical.

2020 is going to be another banner year for us:

You’ll see us at the 2020 AFCA Convention in Nashville https://www.afca.com/afca-convention/

We’ll be at the 2019 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Pasadena http://collegiate.nflpa.com/

We’re hosting a College Football Recruiting Town Hall in Pasadena on 1/18/20

You’ll probably bump into us at a local coaching clinic/seminar this winter/spring as well.  We’re going to continue talking to recruits, parents and coaches to let them know better data is here to help them make informed decisions and find the best fit for college football.  

Have a wonderful Holiday Season and Happy New Year!

Coach Anthony Johnson is the running backs coach and the recruiting coordinator for the Shippensburg University Red Raiders. Previously, he was the offensive coordinator and director of football operations at his alma mater, Salisbury University. Prior to that Johnson served as assistant coach at DI Central Connecticut State University in 2016, where he coached the running backs and kick returners. Johnson also spent five years at Cheyney University. He was the head coach of the Wolves in 2014 after serving as an offensive coordinator the previous four seasons.

ship·shape/ˈSHipˌSHāp/

adjective

ship-shape

in good order; trim and neat.

[ROUTE]: In your career, you've spent a lot of time speaking with recruits and their families.  What are some changes you're seeing in the recruiting process for student-athletes of all skill levels? 

[Anthony Johnson]: We can communicate with student-athletes more than we could before.  Between technological advances like cell phones and texting and the use of social media, we have greater access to recruits, and they have greater access and ways to reach and connect with recruiters.  It wasn’t like this before… in some ways there are less restrictions around communication.  On the other hand, I find the mind set of recruits and their families have not changed much.  They are still not educated enough about the recruiting process.  Many of the student-athletes and parents that I interact with have unrealistic expectations about the process.  In a way, I think that because there is greater access on both sides of the equation, recruits feel like they should get offers more easily. It simply doesn’t work that way.

“Recruits and their families must consider more than football when making this decision.”

[ROUTE]: Can you share some thoughts on the importance of recruits finding the best fit for a collegiate football program as opposed to the most popular options for them? 

[Anthony Johnson]: This is my 14th season recruiting.  I’ve always advised recruits to choose a program where you will be happy spending four years at the school.  Make sure that you’re coming to the program because you also like the school. I’ve had kids tell me that they like a program because of the mascot, school colors, stadium, etc.  My response is that all those external trappings are nice, but if you are not dialed into the school it’s not likely to be a good fit for you.  I’ve worked with many kids that have transferred from a D1 to D2 or D3 program and most say the same thing to me: “Coach, that school didn’t feel like home to me”. They loved the name and prestige of the program but didn’t like the culture, didn’t like the dorms, etc.  Recruits and their families must consider more than football when making this decision.

“A recruit that is waiting on grades from the last quarter to make him eligible is a big red flag.”

[ROUTE]: What are the top three attributes you think that recruits need to have in order to be competitive in the recruiting process in any program?

[Anthony Johnson]: Character: I want to recruit good kids. I define that as a recruit that has a good head on his shoulders; someone who is honest and operates with integrity. I appreciate when a recruit tells me that he’s considering offers from other programs – obviously, I understand that is part of the process so lying or trying to mislead a recruiter doesn’t make much sense.

Education/Grades: I tell kids all the time that the academic minimum is not the requirement. A recruit that is waiting on grades from the last quarter to make him eligible is a big red flag.  This is related to the character issue – are you willing to work hard enough to play football? This includes keeping up your GPA, staying out of trouble, etc.  

Film: Not much to elaborate on here.  I look for kids that have the skills and can play football.

“These messages create the impression that everyone is getting an offer.”

[ROUTE]: Do you see technology playing a role in helping recruits become more educated about the process and make better decisions? As a recruiter, do you see technology making your job easier/more efficient? 

[Anthony Johnson]: I don’t think technology is helping our kids become more educated about the process.  I maintain that many student-athletes have a false sense of reality.  We all see the same messages on Twitter and other social media platforms: “I’ve been blessed to get an offer”.  These messages create the impression that everyone is getting an offer. It’s clear to me that parents are not more educated about the process. I can argue that because technology has given us greater access to social media and other platforms, it has made the process worse for many recruits by thinking that everyone is getting and deserves an offer. And when the process doesn’t go the way that recruits and their families imagined it would, it can make a kid feel that they’re not good enough.

On the other hand, I would say that technology has made my job easier.  I can reach out and communicate with a recruit in many ways: Twitter, Hudl, Instagram, etc.  To be honest, we may not need recruiting services.  

I’ll also add that access to social media platforms can also hurt a kid as well because I can see all his activity on social media. And if there is a disconnect between what that recruit presents to me when I meet him and what I view on his social media channels, that can be an area of concern.

Malik Hall, head coach at Bates College has held various coaching positions at University of Pennsylvania, Wagner College, Fordham, Hofstra, Central Connecticut State, and his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts. 

[ROUTE]: Coach Hall, You’ve coached and recruited at several universities. What are some important attributes for prospects to have?

[Malik Hall]: When I think about my recent experience at schools that are “high-academic” institutions, students-athletes need to be top performers on the field and in the classroom. I'll also add that I think there is a need for student-athletes and their families to be more educated about the recruiting process for different types of schools.  For example, schools like University of Pennsylvania and Bates College do not give athletic scholarships – we base our awards on a family’s financial need. If a family demonstrates the financial need, that child can get a full ride to one of the best institutions in the world.  However, if the family is financially “middle-class”, they may not get a large scholarship award relative to the cost of attendance (which can be over $70k at many of the top schools).  On the other hand, an athlete can get recruited at a D2 program where the cost of attendance is $45k and they may get a $20k athletic scholarship from the school, take out a loan for $10k, work study for $5k and have a family contribution of $10k. Some families may prefer that route, but others will be willing to sacrifice more financially so that their kid can attend an IVY or NESCAC school.

I also want to add that prospects and their families need more education about the recruiting process in general. Many of the D2 and D3 schools are wonderful institutions but have small recruiting budgets. As a result, their coaches may not be able to get to many areas of the country to connect with student athletes personally.  For example, Bates College is one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country and there are many kids in regions in the Southwest and Southeast that are not familiar with our program.  If a top academic kid from the southeast plays football and BATES shows up as a great match on the ROUTE app, he should know that he can potentially get a great financial package to attend and play at one of the top academic institutions in the country.  But that’s not likely to happen if his parents don’t have an awareness of our institution and/or feel comfortable sending their child to a top-notch college in the state of Maine.  

“...if you have not had the opportunity to visit many parts of the country, it helps to find someone to help educate and motivate you (and your son) about the many other options outside of your geographic and academic comfort zone.”

[ROUTE]: What is your advice for parents as they walk through this process?

[Malik Hall]: For parents that are not familiar with the recruiting process, I recommend that that they connect with a mentor or coach that can help them through the process. Especially for parents that may be a single mom or from a low-income background – if you have not had the opportunity to visit many parts of the country, it helps to find someone to help educate and motivate you (and your son) about the many other options outside of your geographic and academic comfort zone.  I have an example of a kid that we were trying to recruit from a neighborhood right outside of New York City.  This kid has great potential- he is a great athlete and student.  We wanted him to visit the campus and were willing to send him a plane ticket. I know this kid would have likely qualified for a full ride to Bates. His mom wouldn’t let him come for a visit.  She’d never traveled to Maine and didn’t feel comfortable sending him to a place that she wasn’t familiar with.  That scenario is unfortunate but not unfamiliar to me.  Attending our school could possibly be a life-changing experience for this student but his family is not educated about the process and the incredible educational options out there.

“the trend...reflects the fact that kids are smarter and are starting to make decisions that look to their future beyond playing football.”

[ROUTE]: It seems like we are starting to see more stories of student-athletes considering and choosing more “non-traditional” routes to play college football. We hear about about kids choosing an IVY, HBCU, etc. over an FBS program. We also see junior college options becoming more popular. Do you have any thoughts on this trend and the opportunity that many kids have to balance a great education while playing football?

[Malik Hall]: Technology has made the world smaller and smarter.  For example, I think that when you looked at the NFL years ago, the expectation was that many of the players would play well into their 30’s.  Now, the NFL is a mid-20’s league.  And I think that many kids are aware of that reality. I think the trend that you referenced reflects the fact that kids are smarter and are starting to make decisions that look to their future beyond playing football. One of my former players at Penn went on to get an MBA at a top university AND got signed to an NFL roster. He attended mini-camp and got cut.  His agent is trying to get him to consider some options with other teams but he’s not sure that he wants to spend another 4 yrs doing that. And because he made great decisions about his education, he has options beyond the NFL.

Simeon Gatling is a junior DB at Morgan State.  His major is Applied Liberal Studies. ROUTE spoke with his mother, Rhonda Gatling, for this interview. 

[ROUTE]  What was Simeon’s experience playing in HS? 

[Rhonda] Simeon had a wonderful experience playing football in high school. He started out in one school district on the north side of our town, however we knew that he wanted to stretch himself and play in the most competitive environment, so we decided to move into another school district. He ended up going to Dudley High School (Greensboro, NC) where he played football and basketball.  As a transfer student into a very competitive football program, he had to earn his playing time and win the opportunity to start at his position. But I also want to stress that his father and I have always required that he excel academically so he developed discipline very early and became a scholar-athlete.  

As a football player, he played on both sides of the ball. He achieved several offensive and defensive milestones (there are too many to recall), but most importantly, his team went undefeated and won a state championship and he graduated with academic honors.

[ROUTE] Did Simeon have many offers as a high school senior?

[Rhonda] His dream was to play at LSU because of their reputation in developing linebackers (and DB’s). We made several visits to LSU (official and unofficial) and other programs.  The summer leading to his senior year, LSU made a verbal offer to Simeon.  Once word of the offer got out, you can imagine the other inquiries and “offers” that started rolling in. Even Michigan offered him.  

[ROUTE] What are some reasons your family chose Carolina over other college football programs?

[Rhonda] LSU over-recruited for his position so in the end, they offered him the opportunity to “walk-on” and compete with the scholarship athletes.  That option was not as attractive to us, especially when you consider the distance from where we lived to Baton Rouge.  

We’ve always been impressed with Carolina’s reputation for academics so that was a significant consideration for us. However, we were a little concerned that the head coach was more offense-oriented and also, we heard that they recruited several other DB’s that year as much of their secondary had graduated from the program. Carolina offered Simeon a good package of academic and athletic scholarships. We allowed him to decide and he chose the Tar Heels.  

“Simeon has always been mature and disciplined so adjusting to the very regimented schedule and culture of a D1 program was not a problem for him.”

[ROUTE] What led to his decision to leave Chapel Hill and go the junior college route?  

[Rhonda] As I stated earlier, Carolina had a deep bench of DB’s. This wasn’t a huge concern for Simeon because he’s always had to fight and earn his spot. He was considered a walk on and frankly, had a good experience.  He had a very successful first year.  Simeon has always been mature and disciplined so adjusting to the very regimented schedule and culture of a D1 program was not a problem for him. He competed, and he traveled with the team his first year.

Well into his second season, he was making plays and getting recognized as defensive player of the week, etc. In addition to all of that, he was also doing well academically.

However, when he considered his success (when he had the opportunity to play), he felt he wasn’t getting enough reps in the games.  And even though he loved the university and the program, he decided to ask to be released. I won’t go into all the details about the back and forth we had with the school in negotiating the terms of his release, but a few recruiters from junior colleges in the mid-west made inquiries about Simeon. We developed a great rapport with the coach from Iowa Western Community College. I was a little concerned about the distance, but he decided to join their program.  He spent a year at that school, had a remarkable season of play and graduated with an Associates degree.  

[ROUTE] Why did Simeon decide to finish up his college football career at Morgan State?

[Rhonda] Iowa Western’s head coach had a strong relationship with the Morgan State program.  Morgan was looking to recruit high quality student athletes. Additionally, Simeon has developed a reputation for being a leader on and off the field. All of his coaches have consistently praised him for having a high football IQ; and he’s excellent at reading offenses. For me, the bottom line is that he loves the school and program.  Morgan doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that a school like Carolina has but he’s enjoying the program and the school and doesn’t regret his decisions.    

“Kids have to want it for themselves. Don’t hold your son’s hand through this process...”  

[ROUTE] What advice do you have for prospects and parents as they’re navigating the recruiting process?

[Rhonda] Playing football at the collegiate level is very different from high school. Kids have to want it for themselves. Don’t hold your son’s hand through this process in the sense that you’re responsible for reminding them to wake up at a certain time; or telling them what to eat; or reminding them to respond and reach out college recruiters, etc. You won’t be there with them in college and they need to demonstrate their hunger and maturity as they’re going through the process.  

I would also tell student-athletes and parents to strongly consider opportunities at D2 and D3 programs. Simeon received a great offer (full athletic and academic scholarships) from a D2 program in NC – I regret that we didn’t give that offer more consideration.

Get Ready For The Ed O.B. Report! 

A Quick Convo With Wendell Smith, coo + co-founder, and the newest member of the ROUTE Team, Ed O'Brien

[Wendell]  Ed, we’re excited to have you join our organization!  Can you give us a snapshot of your experience as a sportswriter and analyst in the high school recruiting space over the past 13 years? 

[Ed]  I have to tell you that this is the most excited I've been as I’m heading into my 13th year of covering high school football and third year of covering a Power 5 college football team. The opportunity to join the ROUTE team was something I couldn't let go past me and I look forward to being a part of something that's going to revolutionize the recruiting game. I started covering high school football in Pennsylvania in 2006 on Pennlive.com. I started off by just creating game highlights and that involved me getting my own high school sports blog on Pennlive.com. In 2015, I moved on to work with Rivals.com, covering Pennsylvania high school football. In 2017, I moved on from Rivals to Scout.com. Scout.com was bought out by 247Sports in early 2018 and I've been with them ever since. I covered Penn State football for Scout in 2017 and began covering Pitt football and basketball in 2018. I still cover both sports for Pitt on the 247Sports network and high school football.

[Wendell] Since coming on board we’ve launched The Ed O.B. Report.  What should your audience expect to see in this new outlet? 

[Ed]  The Ed O.B. Report will feature a lot of me spotlighting high school football athletes across America. I will be providing in-depth player evaluations on athletes I've seen during the off-season and during the season. I will also be on the road covering football games and providing detailed post-game reports (top players of the game, top plays of the game, etc). And of course, I'll have to chime in with my thoughts on college football during the season. I also plan to include The Go ROUTE Podcast at the start of September. So, in all, it'll be a mix of everything.

Bayou Baller!

Winner of #MYROUTE Campaign - Troy Bradley, Senior CB at Parkway High School, Bossier City, LA

Interview by ROUTE marketing intern, Samantha Mansfield 

[ROUTE] Troy, congrats on winning our hashtag campaign. Let’s begin with your position and where you attend school.

[Troy] My name is Troy Bradley, I’m a 5′9″ cornerback at Parkway High School in Bossier City, LA. I’m a senior this year. 

[ROUTE] How long have you been playing football?  Do you play any other sports or is football your primary sport? 

[Troy] I’ve been playing for 2 years. I love all sports but football is my main sport.

[ROUTE] Who are some athletes that inspire you or that you’d consider role models?

[Troy] A couple of athletes who inspire me are Morris Claiborne (because he’s from Louisiana) and Marshawn Lynch. 

[ROUTE] Are you thinking about playing football in college? Where do you aspire to play? 

[Troy] Yes!  I want to play at the next level. My dream is to play at LSU but I’m open to wherever I have an opportunity. The ROUTE app has shown me my probability to make rosters at other programs like Texas A&M, Baylor and Texas Tech. 

[ROUTE] What is the most important thing you’re looking for in a college program? 

[Troy] The most important I’m looking for is a team program that will help me grow and reach my full potential as a student athlete. 

[ROUTE] What do you want to major in? What profession do you plan to pursue? 

AND THEN THERE WAS FOOTBALL... 

ROUTE interviews Duquesne rising senior, wide-out and power forward, Kellon Taylor and his mother, Martez Taylor

[ROUTE] Making a D1 roster for one sport is impressive. Playing football and basketball at that level is rare. How do you do it?

[Kellon]  It’s not as hard as most people think.  Obviously, playing two sports at this level is challenging.  But as a high school student, I was recruited for both sports individually at first. However, I wanted to play both football and basketball in college.

And now playing both sports in college is similar to playing one sport:  When you finished playing one sport you jump into another sport.  Just as if you were only committed to one sport, when the season is over, you would transition into training. The most difficult and tasking thing is the travel. Especially because there are so many basketball games, the travel can wear on you.

[ROUTE] How did you end up choosing Duquesne?  Was the option of playing both sports a consideration?

[Kellon] Honestly, I wasn’t familiar with Duquesne. I spelled it wrong on my commitment letter.   A friend who had committed to Duquesne earlier introduced me to the school. I had a lot of interest from many schools for either sport, but I was interested in playing both basketball and football at the next level. Duquesne began recruiting me early in the process for football, but the coach understood that I wanted to play both sports so eventually the basketball coach joined in the process and I chose them over University of Hawaii.  

[ROUTE]  What influenced your decision to focus on football in your final year at Duquesne?

[Kellon] My future. I think I have a great future in football. I know that I can play at the highest level in that sport and football is the route to go. It was also a rational decision.  A 6’5” football player is a rare prospect as a wide receiver.  A 6’5” power forward in basketball is not that rare.  So, in order to play at the highest-level next season, I decided to focus on football and prep for my final year.  

I trusted his intellect and maturity to make the right decision. And he did.

[ROUTE]  Ms. Taylor, what was your role in the recruiting process?

[Martez Taylor]  My role was to sit back and support him.  I was more of a bodyguard.  There were so many people in Kellon’s ear.  He had so much family and friends telling him where to go and what to do. I wanted him to walk through the process without all of those influences and make a decision that was best for him.  

Kellon had interest and was recruited by many schools – Virginia Tech, Temple, Boston College, Hawaii, Georgia, etc. I remember us going to games at Virginia Tech and Georgia.  The facilities and resources were great, but he wasn’t impressed with the experience. He told me that he didn’t see himself in a 90,000-person stadium.  He was not enthused at all. “I can be a big fish in a small pond” is what he told me. “If I’m good enough, they will see me wherever I go.”

I trusted his intellect and maturity to make the right decision. And he did.

[ROUTE]  What are some important things to consider when choosing a school and a football program?

[Kellon] The coaching staff is very important.  Are their schemes built for you? Will they build around you? Does the team need you? Will they utilize you? When Boston College began recruiting me, I learned that they ran the ball 50 times a game. They didn’t have much of a passing offense at the time.

Also, I chose a school that was relatively closer to home. My family and support network are very important to me.  I wanted my mom to attend as many of my games as possible. It is one of the reasons I didn’t go to Hawaii.  

[Martez Taylor] As a parent, you want your son to feel comfortable.  I spoke to the coaching staff a lot. I asked questions like “what’s important to you other than football?”. If they only replied “football”, that was a turnoff for me. What did the coaches do during the recruiting process? What interest did they show outside of football? Did they really try to get to know your kid?

Kellon’s head coach is very engaged in his family. He coaches his son in basketball.  His wife and kids are at all games. I think Kellon made a great choice in this coaching staff.  One time I was watching the South Dakota game online when Kellon got hurt.  I immediately texted the team trainer (who wasn’t at the game). The trainer immediately contacted someone on staff who was at the game and they got back to me immediately. I’ll never forget that.

The student athlete is under so much pressure that some parents don’t get it. Parents need to be their peace.

[ROUTE]  What’s your single recommendation for prospects and parents going through the recruiting process?

[Kellon] Follow your beliefs, values and passions.  You will know what is right for you.

by Tyler White, ROUTE Analytics Intern

Obafemi Ayanbadejo is a former NFL running back, fullback and special teams player with the Baltimore Ravens. Signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 1997, he spent 11 years in the league and won a Super Bowl Championship with the Baltimore Ravens along the way. 

[ROUTE] At what point in your high school career did you realize you could play football at the next level?

[Femi] Let’s go back a little bit. I was a 3-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball and basketball) and football wasn’t even the sport that I really cared about. To be honest, other than one year of Pop Warner and flag football, I didn’t even start playing football until my sophomore year of high school. If I thought I was going to get a scholarship in any sport – I thought it was going to be baseball. At no point in my high school career did I think I was going to get a football scholarship...and at no point did I think I was going to be a pro football player! I grew up in California dreaming of playing baseball at UC Santa Barbara, Cal Berkeley or Stanford. That was my goal. Football was never on my radar beyond high school – that’s the truth.

[ROUTE]  You played Division I football at San Diego State, but you took a detour through Cabrillo Community College. What led to you to Cabrillo?

[Femi] I was 16 years old as a senior. After graduating high school, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, so I decided to take a year off and did two things: got a job in the kitchen of a retirement home working as a busboy and a waiter – and a Golds Gym membership in Santa Cruz. Every morning, I would take the bus to the retirement home and I’d work from 6am-2pm. Then I’d walk to the gym and lift weights for an hour and a half, then I’d go home. I had this routine for well over a year. I made some money and then I eventually went to school at Cabrillo College where I played both football and baseball.

“I didn’t start at the beginning of my freshman year and I was barely even playing.”

There was a lot of work in-between Cabrillo and San Diego State University (SDSU). No one even knew who I was – I had to play two years of junior college football. I didn’t start at the beginning of my freshman year and I was barely even playing. My coach really didn’t trust me until 4-5 games into the season. I was playing running back in high school, but at Cabrillo I was playing a combination of running back, fullback, and tight end. It was an adjustment for me. But once I studied, digested the playbook and the offense, the coach started to trust me. The second half of my freshman year, I went on a tear.

By the end of my freshman year, I was getting recruited by schools like Kansas, New Mexico and Louisville. I also played baseball in the spring and had a killer freshman year. I got drafted by the Marlins.

The big question I had to ask myself was: do I stick to baseball or keep playing football? I decided to return for my sophomore year, where I made first team all-conference and led my team in touchdowns. After my fall sophomore semester, I didn’t go back to play baseball in the spring. SDSU offered me a scholarship to play football and I accepted. I always wanted to be an Aztec. It always had that shine and glow to it, so that had a lot to do with it. 

Unfortunately, I got injured half way through the season during my junior year at SDSU. I came back for my senior year and started at tight end. I won most improved player that season. I was very proud of that award. After all the work and effort I put into improving myself and coming back from my injury, the recognition from my teammates and coaches was awesome.

[ROUTE] So, you almost played professional baseball? 

[Femi]  After I finished my senior season of football, I was encouraged to play baseball at SDSU by the (baseball) coach. When I went out, there were a bunch of scouts from teams like the Phillies and the Giants. They saw I was a big kid, played football, could hit the ball, and could run. They were like, “Man! Who’s this kid?” I hit a couple home runs and they saw my arm in the outfield. Based on my initial tryout, they were thinking of drafting me as a “project”.  Not too long after that, my football coach called to tell me that he was getting inquiries about me from NFL coaches and asked me to come for Pro Day. So, I left the baseball team and thought if someone picks me up or drafts me, I’ll play in the NFL! If not, I’ll just go back and play baseball.

During Pro Day, I ran a 4.5 40-yard dash; smashed 225 (bench press); and had a great vertical! I ran routes and caught a bunch of balls from the running back and tight end positions. But after all of that, I still didn’t get drafted and only received one call from the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent.

“I knew how important it was to get a degree and I was so close. I wasn’t going to let anything get in my way.”

[ROUTE] How important was it to have a college degree and be prepared for life after sports?

[Femi] After leaving SDSU, I had a semester’s worth of classes to complete because I changed my major to psychology. From 1998 to 2001, I went back to school during my off-season time. I took classes and worked out on campus to get my degree four years into my NFL career. I knew how important it was to get a degree and I was so close. I wasn’t going to let anything get in my way.

[ROUTE] After your career as a pro athlete, you decided to become an entrepreneur. What are you working on?

[Femi] After I retired, I went back to San Diego to open a training facility. I wanted to help people become healthier and to be more mindful about their fitness and wellness decisions. I ended up selling that business and decided to return to Baltimore where my kids lived (and where I’d played with the Ravens).

I had a large network in Maryland and decided to get my MBA at Johns Hopkins. My passion was health, wellness and fitness as well as tech. I was intrigued about how artificial intelligence was taking over the fitness world. So, I’ve created a company called HealthReel. Our first app helps users stay active and make good decisions regarding their health by focusing on caloric information, metabolic data, body composition and disease risk. 

“There are no shortcuts. Not in sports, not in business, not anywhere. If you aren’t willing to grind, you’re just talking.”

[ROUTE] If you could share one piece of advice for aspiring college football recruits, what would that be?

[Femi]  There are no shortcuts. Don’t think that just because you are the best on your team, that you will just end up at a Florida State or Michigan or Georgia. You have to be willing to grind and put in the work. And just because you don’t end up there right out of high school, doesn’t mean that going to a JC or a lower tier school to start is a bad idea. My brother started off at a JC and ended up at UCLA and eventually played 10 seasons in the NFL. I started off in JC and played 11 seasons the NFL and won a Super Bowl. 

A recent graduate of the University of Hawaii, Cameron Hayes is considering  options for his remaining two years of eligibility. 

For this interview, ROUTE Analytics spoke with Dedrian Small-Hayes, his mother and Scholastic Coordinator of the Snoop Youth Football League, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded to provide the opportunity for inner-city children to participate in youth football and cheer founded by entertainment icon, Snoop Dogg.

[ROUTE]: When did Cameron begin the recruitment process?

[Dedrian]: Cameron began the recruiting process during his junior year in high school.

[ROUTE]:  There were several changes among the recruiters that were talking to Cameron during his process.  How did his path lead him to the University of Hawaii?

[Dedrian]: In addition to Hawaii, Cameron had interest from several schools: California, Washington State, San Jose, Fresno State, UTEP, and UC Davis. There were several coaching changes at a few of the programs that were recruiting him. I came to understand that it is just the nature of this business.  We both wanted him to be in a program where he could thrive as a student-athlete. Most of the friends that he played with during Pop Warner and high school got scholarships on the west coast, particularly our home state of California, so the idea of playing someplace entirely different was intriguing. We felt that Hawaii believed in his potential and aligned with our priorities. They offered Cameron a full athletic scholarship and we committed.  

[ROUTE]: What has it been like for him (and you) to attend and play at a program so far away from home? 

[Dedrian]: Cameron and I are very close so the distance has been challenging at times. Thankfully, we had a lot of support and I feel like the experience of the last four years has made our bond stronger. I’m very thankful that my family started "Family Fun Day Sunday's", where we would get together to FaceTime Cameron. We sent care packages for midterms and finals. I was able to attend several home and away games! Cameron always spent Thanksgiving in Hawaii with the exception of last season. The first year, my sisters, mom, and I made Thanksgiving dinner and Fed-Ex’d it to Cameron and some of his teammates. His sophomore year, I flew to Hawaii Thanksgiving morning and brought dinner with me as carry-on luggage.  That afternoon, we hosted his girlfriend and teammates who weren’t from the island for dinner. Those memories are priceless. Some of the more difficult times were at the end of the semester as he would return home for only 2 weeks then head back to the island for summer practice. Prayer and faith has sustained us. 

“...education was essential to the development of his intellect and character.”

[ROUTE]:  The graduation rate for FBS players is 79 percent. Cameron completed his Bachelor's in less than 4 years. What attributes or skills helped him accomplish such a rare feat? 

[Dedrian]: I’ve always emphasized the importance of education to Cameron and stressed that formal education was essential to the development of his intellect and character.  He became a driven, goal-oriented student in high school. He took honors and Advanced Placement courses and was able to get credit at Hawaii. He always had a goal to graduate early, so he would do things like attend summer school to keep him ahead. I also thought it was important to  expose him to various opportunities outside of school and sports. An impactful experience for him was being invited to attend President Obama’s Inauguration. That experience inspired him and expanded his goals. I’ll also re-emphasize that the support from our family and friends, and continued focus in our faith was invaluable. 

[ROUTE]: You've worked with a lot of kids and families during your tenure at the Snoop Youth Football League.  What advice do you have for parents that are starting the recruiting process with their son?

[Dedrian]: My advice to parents is to have a “Plan A”: support your child academically; and maintain a healthy mental and emotional environment for him. It is important to have an open line of communication with your child’s teachers and coaches. I emphasized academics so I didn’t allow Cameron to take remedial courses. 

“Your child should go where he is needed.”

Also, you need to be aware of the minimum admission requirements for all colleges that you’re considering. I recommend that parents make decisions on colleges based on criteria that is beyond football: academic major; culture; job placement and professional networking. Rapport with the head and position coaches is very important. Hopefully the program is a place where they can learn more than how to play football at the next level.  I wanted Cameron to be in an environment that would continue to emphasize life skills and time management along with coping skills. 

It is not essential to attend all football camps, but exposure is necessary. Don’t become obsessed with star rankings; be mindful of what you post on social media and your associations; attend SAT or ACT workshops (I’m pro ACT because boys tend to perform better); 

Your child should go where he is needed. Find a place that will help develop his character and allow him to grow into a young man and have fun while doing so. 

[ROUTE]:  With 2 years of eligibility left, what are Cameron's short and long term goals? 

David “Duck” Riley, a West Virginia native, attended West Virginia University where he starred as running back for the Mountaineers, lettering his final three seasons. As a student, he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WVU.

Following graduation, Riley was drafted by the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.  He went on the play three seasons in the USFL for the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars where they won the USFL championship two of those three years.

After completing his professional playing career, Duck began a career in education and coaching. He coached Cinnaminson High School (NJ) to the state championship in football. He was named Burlington County Coach of the Year as well as Trenton Times Coach of the Year for football in 1990.  He was also named Burlington County Coach of the Year in track and field in 1993.  Coach Riley also served as an NFL intern in 1993 (Detroit Lions); 1995 (New Orleans Saints); 1997 (Carolina Panthers) and 1999 (Arizona Cardinals). 

Duck is currently the Speaker Coordinator and Clinic Director at Glazier Clinics. He is also the co-founder of the Unsigned Senior Showcase.  

[ROUTE]: As someone who helps unsigned seniors with recruiting, what advice do you have for coaches to get better recruiting results with their players and colleges? 

[Coach Riley]: High school coaches need to visit colleges and establish relationships with college coaches. They should attend clinics in the off season both to work on their professional development and to network with other high school and college coaches. That’s why I began working with Glazier clinics many years ago. After a few years of networking, I realized that the more coaches you know, the more doors will open.  As a coach, you must put yourself out there. You won’t be as effective in helping your players if you don’t network and meet people. Also the high school coach will know what college coaches are looking for in prospective players. That is a question I always asked college coaches, “What are you looking for in a prospect?”.  Once coaches understand what college recruiters are looking for they can now help their athletes target the right collegiate program and other things like telling them what to include in their Hudl tape. What’s great about what you guys (ROUTE) are doing is that it also helps the high school coaches talk to their athletes about collegiate programs that are a good fit for them.

“However, there is a concern about balance and whether all the changes are ultimately changing the nature of the game.”

[ROUTE]: Do you see any significant changes in coaching today versus 20- 30 years ago? 

[Coach Riley]: Yes, there are several big changes.  Safety comes first now. There’s the concern about concussions and the impact that it has on the way the game is now played. The concussion protocol; the helmet has been taken out of tackling; practice time is limited now and you can’t hit every day; overall, there is less contact. These changes help to promote player safety and that is a good thing. However, there is a concern about balance and whether all the changes are ultimately changing the nature of the game. Also today athletes are bigger, stronger and faster. You have lineman that can run just as fast as skilled guys now. Players are working out constantly, year-round. The existence of trainers is also a recent development. Full time trainers simply were not utilized back then. There are passing leagues now, 7x7 teams and flag football.  Also, kids now get offered very early in the process – sophomores and juniors. Technology is very different as well. We began using VHS videotape to help promote our athletes for college recruiters; now kids can promote themselves via tools like HUDL and ROUTE.  

“As a football coach, I didn’t worry about winning.”

[ROUTE]:  What is your advice for high school football coaches that are serious about professional development? 

[Coach Riley]: I’ve always believed that you should treat kids with respect. Kids know if you’re for them. Once you gain their trust and they believe that you care about them, they’ll run through a wall for you. As a football coach, I didn’t worry about winning.  And that was a good thing because when I took the head coaching job at Cinnaminson High School, I was not aware that the program had the longest losing streak in the nation.  As a coaching staff, we implemented a few changes and saw immediate results: 

We began a “study table”. We would hold athletes accountable for their academics and grades.  We proved that when athletes became better students, they performed better on the field. 

We implemented “bed checks” for our athletes: each coach was assigned a section of town and would visit the player’s home the night before a game to make sure that they were obeying curfew.  Anyone who broke curfew would not play in the game.  

We also had great community involvement. We started “You Make The Call”.  Anyone from the community could come to school’s main office and anonymously submit a play for us to run during the next game and we promised to use it. 

We also implemented “Coach of the Week”.  A teacher or administrator from different departments would become a football coach for the week.

There were many little things that helped to create a successful culture in our program. In our first season we went 4 (wins) and 5 (losses). Our second year, we went 7 and 2. In our third year we were undefeated.

“Develop a work ethic. Do extra things when no one is looking. Do things that will separate you from the next athlete.”

[ROUTE]:  What are three things that a high school prospect should do to improve their chances of playing at the next level?

[Coach Riley]:   

 Academics: GPA and test scores must be right. I can’t emphasize this enough. You create more options and opportunities for yourself with a strong academic record. 

Develop a work ethic. Do extra things when no one is looking. Do things that will separate you from the next athlete. When you’re in college everyone is 4/5 star athlete. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Work on your weak points. 

ROUTE talks with RaVon about his journey from Uncommitted Senior to JUCO to Walk-on to Scholarship.  

RaVon Davis now trying to earn his way onto a NFL roster. 

[RaVon]: My process started a little late. In high school I had interest from a few college programs – Temple, Towson and Coastal Carolina.  None of them worked out. I had the talent, but I didn’t get a lot of solid offers because my grades were not good early in my high school career.  In fact, I wasn’t eligible to play during the 10th grade.

After considering all of my options, I decided to pursue the Junior College (JUCO) path. I began that process right before graduating from high school.

I went to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.  It was tough for me at first. I was homesick and I was redshirted my first year.  I played my second year and thought that I did ok.  

However, after completing my second year, I still didn’t have much interest or offers that were right for me.  I was speaking with recruiters from University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB was starting their program again after a 2-year hiatus) and Delta State but neither opportunity worked out for me.

I decided to return home to pursue an option that I knew was going to be very difficult: walk on University of Maryland.

“...the walk-on football player is treated very differently from the scholarship players.”

The walk on process was very tough at Maryland.  Even if you make the team, the walk-on football player is treated very differently from the scholarship players.  You don’t get the same level of support that scholarship players do: tutors; training; access to other resources. [Editor’s note: Every collegiate program is different, therefore the walk-on experience may be different. Please research and ask questions of current/former players, parents, and coaches.]

I began the process the spring of 2016.  The coaches were pretty tough on me at first.  However, after spring and summer work outs I received a scholarship during the last practice of summer camp.  I started as cornerback the first game of the season!

My first season at Maryland was challenging.  I was competing with another player for the nickle corner position. It was very competitive, but I ended the season securing the starting position.

The next year I had a set-back: I dislocated my ankle during spring practice.  I spent a lot of time rehabbing and training.  But when you’re injured, your position is not guaranteed… it’s “next man up”. I returned from my injury that following summer and was able to compete for and win a starting position in the secondary again.  

I played my second season and was able to graduate this past spring with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Science.

“But keeping my head up and always carrying a chip on my shoulder helped me to stay grounded and focused.”

Currently, I’m in Florida training for pro day.  I’m trying to earn my way onto a NFL roster!  There are many players in the league that were not drafted so I have a lot of motivation.

Alameen Murphy, team captain and 5th year player, is currently working on his graduate degree at Stanford University.  

Stanford Grad, 5th Year Cornerback, and 2-Year Team Captain – Alameen Murphy Shares His Journey With ROUTE

[ROUTE]: Alameen, when did you start the recruiting process?

[Alameen]: I didn’t have a traditional recruiting experience.  I attended Friendly High School near Fort Washington, MD (not known for producing a lot of DIV I football players at the time).  I played JV my freshman year and started varsity in the 10th grade. The summer after I completed 10th grade we attended a Rivals Camp.  Back then the main purpose of attending was to get exposure and a Rivals account.  I didn’t necessarily stand out.  I got some feedback to change my position from safety to corner back.  After taking that advice, my next camp experiences went much better.

“I would recommend that players not pick a school solely for the coach.” 

[ROUTE]: What are some important things to consider when choosing a school and football program?

[Alameen]: Know yourself.  Know what is important to you as a player and a student. I would recommend that players not pick a school solely for the coach. Coaching staff changes are constant in college football.  I’m not criticizing that fact because it’s just part of the business.  But the two coaches that were instrumental in recruiting me to Stanford moved on to another college program soon after I got there.  Players should consider who their teammates are and what you can get out of the school when selecting a program.

[ROUTE]: What is the parent’s role in the recruiting process?

[Alameen]: The parent can play a very important role in the process.  My mom played a crucial role for me.  After my first experience at the Rivals camp, my mom approached a writer at the second camp that we attended and got important feedback from that person.  She took us on a road trip to NC to attend camps at UNC-Chapel and Duke.  She was very active in helping me to get exposure – she would call, email and contact coaches to promote me.  

[ROUTE]: What role do you think social media plays in today’s recruiting process?

[Alameen]: Social media can be a gift and a curse.  It wasn’t really a big part of my process back when I was being recruited but it can be now.  Coaches monitor social media to see how players conduct themselves: are you using profanity; or “liking” things that are inappropriate? Are there negative things about your character that are being revealed through social media? On the other hand, it can be a great tool to market yourself communicate with many people.

“No matter what program you’re being recruited to, college coaches would like to get athletes that they know will take care of their business in the classroom and won’t become a liability to the team.”

[ROUTE]: You can share only one piece of advice to an aspiring football recruit.  What is it?

[Alameen]: I would advise the recruit to just enjoy high school football.  The recruiting process can be very stressful, and some kids can become so obsessed with the process that they end up not enjoying their junior or senior year. It’s also very important to take care of school work.  No matter what program you’re being recruited to, college coaches would like to get athletes that they know will take care of their business in the classroom and won’t become a liability to the team.

[ROUTE]: How did you balance both attending one of the most competitive academic colleges and playing on one of the most competitive teams in the country?

By Wendell Smith, ROUTE co-founder + coo

As National Signing Day approaches, if your dream is to put on a baseball cap and sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) from your dream school on February 6, you’re either stoked right now or there’s a good chance you are now facing the possible reality of your dream not coming true. Guess what? You’re not alone. But, ask yourself was it a dream or a wish? Did you have actually have a Plan A? If so, do you have a Plan B?

“A Dream Without a Plan is Just a Wish” Katherine Paterson

No FBS offers on the table?  Did you consider any FCS programs?

Only DII schools have shown interest and offered you?  Do you only want to play DI (FBS or FCS) or not at all?

How are your grades? DIII’s don’t give athletic scholarships, but they do provide merit (academic) or need-based awards. Afterall, a scholarship is simply financial aid. Does it really matter what they call it? [By the way DI Ivy-League programs don’t offer athletic or merit-based financial aid (only needs-based). Why? Because everybody that is eligible for admission to an Ivy has excellent grades.]

Did you consider NAIA? NAIA schools have money!

You may need (or want) to go the Junior College (JUCO) or community college route (they have money too!). There is a TON of DI talent playing at the JUCO level. Consider it a “pitstop” or even a “launch pad” to DI.

Actually following my own advice: My son is a graduating senior and football player and one of his dreams is to play in college. He is not likely to get the offer he wants on February 6, so we’re executing on Plans B, C and D:

We just returned from an overnight visit at a DIII college program.

We emailed EIGHT FCS and DII coaches last night with his transcript; most recent report card; SAT scores and HUDL link.

We’re leaving tomorrow for another overnight visit at another DIII college program.

If we don’t get any attractive offers by the time we need to decide on a college, he is going to go the ‘walk-on’ route.  

Whatever your dream  – DO NOT QUIT!  The only way to make a dream come true is to execute on a plan (A, B, C or…). If you still WANT to play football at the next level, it’s likely that you can find the right fit for your skillset and make your dream a reality (even after February 6)!  Opportunities and offers don’t come by accident.

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit”   Vince Lombardi

If you didn’t get recruited to the college football program of your dreams during the early signing period, and it still doesn’t happen for you by February 6, here are some things you need to know:

DI schools can still sign players up to April 1. (February 6 is just the START of the regular signing period, NOT the end)

DII programs can still sign players up to August 1.  

Because DIII schools don’t give athletic scholarships, they don’t sign NLIs, but they continue to recruit players throughout the year.  Same for NAIA.

JUCOs (NJCAA) signing period is February 6 and generally aligns with the NCAA (FYI…mid-year transfer period ends mid-January). Note: If you sign a NLI with a JUCO, you are unrecruitable by another NJCAA member until mid-June.

We talked to coaches at every level: High School, CCCAA, NJCAA, NAIA, DIII, DII, DI (FCS + FBS), CFL, and the NFL. We even talked to international coaches from Mexico, Canada, and Germany! 

Here's how they answered your questions...

We posted the questions in the order of importance according to the ROUTE subscriber rankings.

Q: How do you go from being a prospect to a recruit? 

A: Turns out chasing that 4.3 is important to coaches. That 4.3 GPA! Good grades are more important than that 4.3 second '40' time. Staying on top of your academics and actually being eligible to get and keep the offer was the number one response at every level.

Q: How much value do you place on a ‘40′ time? 

A: Not as much as you think. While they still clock you, most coaches want to see your athleticism on the field. As “Prime” [Deion Sanders] described you simply need "next man" speed. Can you beat the man next to you? We'll say it again: That 4.3 GPA is more important than that 4.3 ‘40′.

Q: Do you use recruiting services? 

A: 50/50. Some use recruiting services to reduce travel costs or cast a wider net for prospects. Regarding exposure, most coaches believe you can do it yourself as long as you do your homework.

Q: What's the number one mistake you see prospects or recruits make? 

A: Social media. Specifically, they said not being responsible on social media. Every coach warned against posting inappropriate comments and displaying inappropriate behavior on social media. Even liking or re-posting (retweeting) someone else's post are grounds for revoking an offer. DON'T DO IT!

Q: Would you prefer the first contact be from the student-athlete, coach, or parent? 

A: Either student-athlete or the high school coach. Most said they don't mind hearing from the parent, but immediately consider it a warning sign if that's the first contact.

Q: Do you prefer full game film or highlight film? 

A: 50/50. Make sure you ask the coach what he, she or they prefer.

Q: How important is it that a student-athlete come to your camp? 

A: Very. One DI FBS program said 80% of their offers went to athletes that came to their camp multiple years.

Q: What's the worst thing a parent can do? 

A: Cross that line. Parents that become overly involved (i.e. calling constantly, emailing constantly, texting constantly to insist your student-athlete deserves an offer, etc.) Persistence is a wonderful trait for the student-athlete, just not for the parent(s). Coaches want an arms length relationship. Know your role as a parent: advise, assist, guide...don't do your student-athlete's job. Because if they're fortunate enough to get to the next level, you can't do their job once they get there.

Q: Do you prefer/value recommendations from a high school coach or college coach? 

A: Depends. On high school coaches: They all believe the high school coach has good intentions, but often see a lot of bias. So, it’s good if the coach can provide objective data while being an advocate. 

Q: How soon do you talk to the high school counselor? 

A: Administrators are sometimes the first contact. But, bet on this... as soon as they identify talent, the next question is how are the grades?

Q: How important are star ratings to you? 

A: No one really chose to answer this question. Here's what we can tell you off the record: Many coaches acknowledge that star ratings are not as important on the field as they are off the field. Many believe star ratings are simply a creation of big time college sports. While they'd rather measure your performance on the field, recruiting 4 and 5 star prospects has found its way into the actual contracts of college coaches. We’ve heard a DI-FBS coach say during a recruiting visit, "a lot of you 4-star and 5-star guys have already reached your peak. You're in for a rude awakening when some of these other guys who really want it kick your ass."

Q: Do you attend national combines? 

Patrick Burke 

Recently Route had the chance to speak with Shawn Garrity. Shawn was an extremely valuable interview because he was able to provide a unique perspective on football recruiting as he has been involved with the recruiting process as a D1 player; as part of his professional career; and is now guiding his son, Wyatt, through his recruiting process. Shawn was a lineman at Notre Dame and Syracuse Universities and owns two companies dedicated to football recruiting: Elite Scouting Services and vergeup.com. [ROUTE]: Shawn, how has your son’s recruiting process differed from yours?

[Garrity]: My recruitment process was difficult because I went to high school in Massachusetts. Many schools were never able to see me play due to my location. In order to get my name out there I attended a few scouting camps and my brother spent time sending letters to coaches about me. What was unique about my recruitment was that one school used a high school basketball game to evaluate my athletic ability. My son’s recruitment has involved far more combines and camps. He has traveled throughout the country to attend national camps to get more exposure. He has also taken advantage of various online recruiting platforms which were not available to my generation of athletes.

“If a school is truly interested in you, they will keep a consistent dialogue with you.”

[ROUTE]: How can an athlete evaluate and gauge the level of interest a school has in them?

[Garrity]: It depends on the frequency of communication and who you are speaking with. If a school is truly interested in you, they will keep a consistent dialogue with you. Another thing to consider is what level of coach you are speaking to. If you are speaking to a recruiting coordinator you are on the school’s radar but may or may not be a serious prospect yet. If you are speaking to the head coach or your position’s coach, you are more likely to be high on a schools list of prospects.

“...you want to go to a  program where you will fit in.”

[ROUTE]: What advice would you give to recruits on picking a school to commit to?

[Garrity]: I would base it off several factors. Obviously, there is the academic piece, you want to be sure the school offers what you want to major in. Another important thing is location. Many kids want their family to be able to visit them and watch them play so if that is important to the prospect, he should consider that. As far as the football program goes you want to go to a  program where you will fit in. You should consider what types of schemes the coach typically runs and determine if you feel you can excel in that environment.

[ROUTE]: Can you elaborate on what you have done in the football arena professionally?

[Garrity]: I own two companies, Elite Scouting Services and vergeup.com. Vergeup is a platform for players and coaches to upload, break down, and exchange video. Elite Scouting Services is a company that identifies high level prospects and provides evaluations to Universities that work with us. Elite Scouting Services hosts combines on a national level and has produced a high school football all-American game broadcast with ESPN.

[ROUTE]: With the prices of recruiting services on the rise, how would you advise a player who cannot afford to use expensive services and is not a known prospect get his name out there?

By Patrick Burke

Doug Conrey is the founder of Texas Long Snapping, a year-round training program that specializes in developing long snappers. The Route team met Doug at a coaching clinic and a bond was instantly created. Doug then graciously took the time to share his thoughts on recruiting and long snapping with us in this interview.

[ROUTE] What inspired you to get into long snapping coaching? Was it a position you played? Or did you get into it after your playing days? 

[Doug] I long snapped all throughout my career; I consider snapping to be apart of me, it’s in my blood. One thing I noticed during my playing and coaching days was that there was very little instruction given to snappers. A lot of coaches are good at teaching special teams schemes but very few understand the mechanics of the snap. Unless a coach is an ex-snapper, he likely will not give much attention to the snap. This is a big reason why I decided to start teaching kids how to long snap. 

[ROUTE] Do you recommend that college prospects specialize in long snapping, or should they play other positions as well?

[Doug] Most of the guys I train are specialists. Often in high school and college the long snapper is a position player who knows how to snap, but I recommend that kids who want to be long snappers in college devote most of their time developing their craft as snappers.

“...it is more important to be a dependable snapper, and a good student than it is to be a physical specimen. “

[Route] What stands out to you between the players you train who go on to play in college and the ones who do not? Intangibles? Size?

[Doug] There is certainly an “eye test” component in the recruiting process, schools will always want the bigger, stronger, faster kid. But with the long snapper position it is more about if you can play. Snappers come in all shapes and sizes, so it is more important to be a dependable snapper, and a good student than it is to be a physical specimen. Grades play a big role with snappers because many are preferred walk ons who must get into the school on their own merits. Another big separator from those who make it and those who don’t is the mental aspect. My top players know the position of long snapper extremely well, understand their own bodies, and are mentally tough. 

[ROUTE] Do coaches and recruiters use you as a resource to recruit long snappers?

[Doug] Yes, while Texas Long Snapping is development based and not a recruiting service some schools do use me as a resource to find talented snappers. I won’t put my name on a prospect unless I am confident that they can play for the school that is asking about them. Most of my guys do their recruiting process on their own. I am far better at developing them into college caliber players than I am at navigating them through the recruiting process. 

“ I advise my guys to look at schools who have long snappers who are close to graduation, that way they have a better chance to make the team and earn playing time ”

[ROUTE] Doug, with Long snapping being such a unique position how do you advise your players to approach the recruiting process? Are long snappers recruited every year or is it a cyclical process?