Letter from AFM – Recruiting Your Players

Read the Article

The full text of “Letter from AFM – Recruiting Your Players” by Rex Lardner, from the Vol 2 — Spring 2019 issue.

THE MEETING: When we arrange a time to sit down and talk we really begin the process. As a coach I sug - gest you go into this meeting with film on the player, transcripts if released and some notes on the individual player. Don’t go in blind. Show the player and parents that you have put some time into this. It will help you in the long run. Here I have a number of handouts I give them and we go through each one in detail. I’ll get to those soon. First, I want to get a feel for them and their thoughts.

I’ve been in meeting where people want to explore the possibilities of playing at an institution what has the young man’s major interest to people who are obsessed with their kid being the next major college player. I figure this out right here! I ask them to talk a bit about the questions they were asked to answer before. Here I make a big point of taking notes, and listening. Once this is done I talk about the player from a purely athletic point of view.

At this point I pull up some game film or their highlight film if it’s done to that point. I go through it quickly with everyone. I talk about what coaches are looking for position wise, and at each level what the expectation is. Once that’s done I tell the player and parents where I feel he will be best suited to play. This is often the most awkward part of the meeting. Sometimes it’s accepted and understood, other times it becomes quite contentious.

This pushback usually comes from parents as they have created this thought in their head of where their son would be going. When reality hits that is often tough. We have to remember, they are send - ing us their best and every parent wants their kid to be the best. That’s parenting! My best practice here has been to stick to the evidence- THE TAPE. Show what they are good at, what they can improve on. Stay away from what they are not able to do. Stay positive.

Remember there is a kid in this meeting being told he is not good enough with all his hard work, being coachable, and god given ability to live that dream. If it gets ugly, be the force of calm and stay realistic. Give them reasons and ways that the player may truly enjoy and have a great experience at a place better suited for him. Also at this meeting we talk about majors, and grades. Basically what’s your plan B if you get hurt and can’t play?

I tell players all the time not to pick the best school for football but to pick the best school for everything but football, I am a firm believer in this. Have them create a list in what they are looking for in an institution and help them find the school that checks all those boxes. They are going to spend 4-5 years here, they bet - ter like it more than just football. That can be taken away in an instant, their education cannot.

This helps set the foundation for the player and parents thinking about your investment in their situation as more than just a football one. THE HANDOUTS: When I meet with players and parents I provide them with a number of handouts. First I check out what in - formation I can get from guidance on FAFSA, NCAA Clearinghouse, and other information on types of schools I think they may be able to play at. This I go through quickly, basically dates, fees and essential information. They can read that on their own.

RECRUITING- HOW IT WORKS. This is the meat and potatoes of the meeting. Here we go through how this recruiting process works. This is very basic and outlined, as we know every recruit’s process is different. RECRUITING HOW IT WORKS OK here we go. Welcome to college recruiting in football. This is addressed to you (the student-athlete) and your parents/guardians. DISCLAIMER 1: I will be brutally honest with you throughout this process.

At times, it will be easy to think of me as just some angry guy out to keep kids down. Let me assure I make NO DECISION in this program without thinking about the kids best interest in mind at all times. I do it this way largely in part based on my experience as a recruit (HORRIBLE), getting numerous kids recruited at different levels, changes in recruiting trends, and because I would rather a kid and parents hear it from me, someone they trust (hopefully) than

24 buying into the line of garbage they will be fed from some recruiters. This may be hard to hear at times, and be seen as hurtful (ex: saying your son cant or is not good at this, or saying this level of play may not be an option for him i.e. he’s not good enough to play here). Please understand nothing I say is EVER to hurt him, his feelings, his dreams or anything like that. I love these kids to death and will always have their best interest in mind at all times.

At the end of the day this in my opinion is his decision. As much as we wish we could make it at times for him, this is quite possibly the cruelest thing about recruiting, it’s the first real decision many kids make in their life and it honestly sets them on a path that almost always has lifetime repercussions both good and bad. DISCLAIMER 2: This will be a very hard experience on him. Most kids when it’s over remember it as the worst part of the college football experience.

As he gets closer to NLI day, graduation it will become more stress - ful, especially once schools can talk to him, contact him etc. Making the decision will get to the point that he wants it to be over just to be done with it. The phone calls will get annoying, the fun and shininess of it will wear off. Be ready. As hard as it is try and keep him focused on what school offers the most to him OUTSIDE of football. He could walk on campus and break his ankle too...then what? The old Plan B concept still works.

Ok now that that is over with. Playing and getting recruited as a quality football player is a completely different animal than ANY OTHER sport out there. The demands on them grow and in relation to that the recruiting ideas shift constantly. The NCAA tries to fight this as best as they can but it’s like a mouse trying to stop a freight train. This is why the NCAA doesn’t allow con - tact until Jr year by phone and all that.

Language will become very important to how things are perceived and rules are not broken. He can certainly get mailings and things from the schools (admissions, etc. etc.). This is why we have to be up on the rules also. They change constantly. Anyways back to the point. Football recruiting is a major business. There is a lot of money to be made in the long run by a lot of people at the expense of your son. The “recruiting window” is the offseason between their JR and SR years.

QB’s are different, theirs is usually between their SOPH and JR season. By window I mean when they can make their biggest impact on their recruiting outside of playing the game. First, we have to be realistic and identify the level at which he can play at right now, and will project too. CONSISTENCY IS KEY HERE. Coaches don’t care about the once in a lifetime game he had way back when. Let’s be clear: his record in Youth league or Junior high will NEVER matter.

In college football you’re ex - pected to give that effort every day at practice let alone in the game. Realistically I see ______________ as a ___________________ prospective student-athlete. Should that change we reevaluate and go from there. Prospect is the second most over used word in the English language next to potential. It means little other than to gauge a thought. Bottom line. Remember everyone has good football players that can play, what is it that you’re your son/daughter apart from all of them?

There are some EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE D3 schools out there also. Once that could compete and beat D2, and even some D1 schools. Mount Union, John Carroll, UW-OSHKOSH etc. Believe me I played in the OAC...I know. Often times you can get more money from them in the form of financial aid. Next, he needs to be identified as what type of positional player he is. Offseason focuses need to be geared solely to sure up his fundamentals not our scheme but his personal funda -

25 mentals, which are always going to need work. By the time summer rolls around we need to progress this too good to great especially in the area of consistency. College practices are infinitely harder than the games. The effort given on ones best day during high school is expected every single day during college football. Once we get into what I call offseason/season time he will need to get in front of the college coaches and work out for them.

NOT COMBINES...They are the most wasteful things next to recruiting services. I say this not because I personally don’t like them but because every college coach I talk to doesn’t like them, and given the rules CAN’T be at. The college coaches want to see young recruits in person. They want to project in their mind where he will be in 2-3 years. They don’t want to get a sheet listing broad jump, and 40 times of 500 athletes. They want to see them doing position specific drills etc.

This is where we get him to prospect camps/junior days. They are one day usually in the evening sessions on college campuses. Typically here are not only the host school coaches but 100-150 coaches of THE SAME TYPE OF SCHEMES. These coaches talk and develop relationships with the people that do the same things schematically and often have coached together at some point. These are the types of coaches who will be there.

The thing to be wary about in regards to the prospect camps is some schools have taken them to be a fundraiser for the program as opposed to helping kids. The more expensive the camp typically the less use it is to our student-athlete. That means travel in some instances for either you guys, me, or both of us which is cool just got to be ready. Bottom Line: The schools are required by NCAA to charge something, but anything over 35-40 dollars/camp is truly a waste.

From there visits will be arranged to schools interested in you and also schools you are interested in as a student-athlete. REMEMBER THE ATHLETE DRIVES THIS BUS! You will be invited to games, and recruiting weekends. NCAA rules give you 5 OFFICIAL visits to D1 and D2 schools. D3 you can go to as many as you want, another plus about D3 schools! Contact with coaches will continue. When they are ready to make an offer they will. If they are not they won’t.

Don’t read into this too much it’s not personal, they have a job to do and it is to make the best decision for their program and themselves. There is no job security in college coaching. There are a thousand players in the same position as you vying for a scholarship. Your job is to distinguish yourself from them by your character, grades and play. When/if an offer comes in it is a VERBAL commitment until NLI day in February. Until you fax that paper in you don’t belong to anyone.

You can go back on a commitment if you feel it’s not the right thing to do. You may find yourself with numerous offers. You DO NOT have to commit to any if you don’t feel its right for you. DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE PRESSURED INTO ANYTHING. Be polite, responsive, and inquire about anything. They need to sell you just as much as you need to sell them. Not all colleges are created equal and not all programs are either. Coaches will tell you almost anything, be wary of their charm, they are professional salesman.

That is not a knock on them or the system but it is what it is. Understand what you see in recruiting is often completely different than what you see day in and day out within the program. If someone tells you they see starting right away that’s a red flag!!!!! See attached Recruiting Red Flags sheet. The chances of you going into a program as a freshman and starting is extremely slim, not impossible but SLIM.

Once the offer comes in and you make a decision you will sign that NLI on signing day, fax it in and its over!!!!!! Thank goodness it’s over! Believe me you will feel this way. Then you begin preparing for COLLEGE FOOT - BALL!!!!!!

Remember all of this, all of our efforts, everything is for your son to make a decision. It’s a yes or no decision but so much goes into it. Our goal in recruiting to is give him options. He ultimately must make the decision to play and where to play. WHO DOES WHAT INFORMATIONAL SHEET This is one of the most important parts of that meeting. Here I outline what each person is responsible for doing and outlining who will do what especially from my standpoint as the coach and what to expect from the college coaches.

This usually leads to some interesting questions about what mom and dad’s roles are. Here they begin to come face to face with the fact that they are not driving this ship. They can try but they will only hurt their son’s ability to get recruited in doing so. Things the STUDENT-ATHLETE does Dedication to Strength/Conditioning OUR program. Play other sports but still get your workouts in…You will ok, research shows it helps performance.

YOU WILL BE FINE, REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR DECISION TO PLAY COLLEGE LEVEL FOOTBALL…ITS A LOT MORE IN - VOLVED THAN LIFTING DURING ANOTHER SPORT. Excel in the classroom- The higher GPA you have the more choices you will have…period Take the tests- SAT-ACT. Take them early and often Stay out of trouble!!! Be smart on social media- Use it but don’t abuse it Always have your name, grade, grad yr., GPA, ht/wt, position on stuff- Twitter info, Facebook, and Instagram etc. etc.

Be a great teammate, a vocal leader, and lead by example. Things the HEAD COACH does: Provide film, prepare highlights that college coaches will use to evaluate. Highlights are meant to be a tool to get your recruited to further your education and play football NOT look cool, sound neat, or be a scrapbook of pop culture… Character references when coaches come in/call…and they will ask that right after grades. Provide Student-Athlete with information as it comes in.

Give Prospect/Jr Day/Camp information as we get it. YOU MAKE THE DECISION TO GO OR NOT GO. Help counsel the student athlete on things to think about- I WILL NOT MAKE A DECISION FOR ANYONE, OR PUSH THEM ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. BE BRUTALLY HONEST. BRUTAL IS ALWAYS BETTER. NOT EVERYONE WILL PLAY AT FCS LEVEL AND THAT IS OK! Please understand we never make decisions to hurt you, but we will make decision in your best interest AND the best interest of the programs reputation. Things Mom/Dad do Support your student-athlete.

This is a very hard process for them. This is not about you! Help them have the ability to make the decision but let them make the decision…It’s their life. Fill stuff out BEFORE it needs done…There are a 1000 kids like your son. Late is late and usually ends up in the trash. Get your kid to the camps, campus visits etc. etc. I will help as much as I can but won’t always be able to go! Schedule them for tests- SAT/ACT- Take it early and often! Sign papers in guidance releasing transcripts to non-parents.

It does help if I have access to it also I can get it to the college coaches sooner. This is a personal choice though and I won’t be offended if you want to keep that private. Ask questions…please come to me at any time and ask questions. I will answer them as best I can or get you the answers to your questions. Please don’t hesitate. I am always available! Keep me in the loop. Eventually they will move away from the coach communication to begin building the relationships with your child.

Please keep me in the loop. It helps when I get calls about your kid! Things College coaches do Recruit positions that they have a need for. This is real. Recruit your kid Invite your kid to campus, camps, etc. etc. Watch the highlight film to evaluate your child’s ability to play football at the college level NOT the high school level. IT’S VERY DIFFERENT. SUCCESS AT HS LEVEL DOES NOT GURANTEE SUCCESS AT COLLEGE LEVEL. Communicate with the HS coaches, Athletes, Parents Offer the scholarships. Full or partial.

The final piece of information I give them is a PowerPoint presentation I give them to help streamline ev - erything we have talked about. I also include a picture of a recruit signing his NLI. This helps develop the idea in the player and parents that you have seen success here at this pivotal point in football. Here I outline our Recruiting Philosophy and how we as a staff will deal with college coaches and some other advice from our standpoint.

The football staff will help every player who wants to play in college get that opportunity. 1. Make film readily available- Be prepared before they get there. 2. Each week each film is broken down in order to be prepared 3. Final completion at the end of the season each year 4. Every Athlete will have a recruiting packet prepared for college recruiters 5. Highlight Film (up to date) 6. Transcripts/Test Scores 7. Contact Information 8. HONESTY 9.

Recruiters- Our reputation and ability to get future players recruited depends on schools getting quality players from us 10. Parents- Realistically not everyone can play at the highest level. This is an unfortunate fact of recruiting.

28 11. Players- Realistically not all of you will play major college football, but you can all play somewhere if you work hard and want to go that route. 12. Scouting services do not get your kid recruited. Their play on the field, and work in the classroom do. 13. “A kids grades, on field performance, and character will get them recruited 100% of the time.” FCS OL COACH 14. After Game 5 highlight films and best game sent out to colleges of interest for seniors who can play at the next level 15.

Meet with college recruiters as they come in.- MUST BE IN THE BUILDING 16. Keep updated contact list of college recruiters; talk to them frequently about our kids. 17. Call them about kids who can play there. 18. Constantly network with college coaches. 19. At the conclusion of the season- Final HL are done for seniors, recruitable juniors, and sophomores. 20. Fill out ALL college questionnaires that arrive at the school 21. Fill out with athletes 22.

Take kids to Junior Days and combines if athletes are identified as major prospects. 23. Be the consummate professional at all times; at this point you are the face of the program to an outsider. The HS coach does not get you a scholarship. The job of the coaches is to promote and advertise all pro - spective student-athletes in a safe and realistic manner. The college coaches will determine the rest.

Scouting Services this program will use NONE- DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY Be honest about our players; we don’t want to create a bad reputation for our future young men. THE PLAYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:

PLEASE NO UNAUTHORIZED CAMPS WITHOUT COACHES KNOWLEDGE!!!! You could very well be wasting your time, money for a chance to get HURT! Communicate with me. I will not waste your time or money. I will explain the process. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME AT THE DIRECTIONAL CAMPS AND COMBINES Northeast Jr Combine etc. etc.…WASTE Maintain good academic standing and continual work to reach graduation. Maintain eligibility and good standing within NCAA eligibility scale.

Display the following traits Character Work Ethic Commitment in/on classroom, practice and game fields, and in the weight room. Be a team player first. Nobody wants a selfish player. Work hard in the areas of strength and conditioning in order to continue to develop and enhance your game. Display your ability and desire on every play, no matter the situation or the score. Take the SAT/ACT in the SPRING of your JUNIONR YEAR, and continue to take as many times as possible.

SAT: WWW.COLLEGEBOARD.COM ACT : WWW.ACT.ORG Meet all college eligibility requirements. NCAA: WWW.NCAA.ORG NAIA: WWW.NAIA.ORG Complete the NCAA clearinghouse materials. WWW.NCAACLEARINGHOUSE.NET Complete all Financial Aid materials WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV Perform well in your JUNIOR and SENIOR games. You must have good film to show colleges from those sea - sons. College coaches want to see improvement from you.

After this meeting and a list of schools that the player is interested in, I begin the process of sending film out to those coaches. When coaches come in and I meet with them I talk about various kids that can realistically play at that level. I keep in frequent communication with the player about who is calling, what’s going on, camps etc. I do not typically involve the parents in this because I feel this is the player’s choice and the information should be directed towards them.

My goal in recruiting is to help facilitate the ability to make a decision by the player on where he feels he can play, learn, compete and graduate