Football Recruiting 101

College Football Scouts Have Guidelines, Yet All Guidelines Can Be Broken

Below you’ll find some basic guidelines that define what college football coaches look for when evaluating prospects. They are exactly that though - guidelines; not hard and fast requirements that a prospect must meet to play at a certain school. There are going to be plenty of players that fall below certain measurables even at the highest levels.

Football recruiting can be fickle, so if you really want to play for a certain program, be sure to contact them, but understand that they might be looking for something a little different in a prospect - it’s not personal. Take defensive backs as an example: you will see great corners, especially nickel backs, who measure in at 5’9”. For offensive linemen, some of the best centers in pro football are only 6’2”. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder as far as football scouts and college coaches are concerned, but you can use the guidelines below to help you navigate which division levels and conferences you should be focusing on during the recruiting process.

For example, if you are a 5’5” 155 pound rising senior cornerback, you may be an excellent player that will go on to have a great college career - it just may be that an SEC school is not right for you. However, if you’re dead set on playing at South Carolina because that’s your favorite school and you believe you can play there, then go for it. Send them a profile with viewership-enabled video by clicking here! (link fill out form) As a backup plan though you may want to focus on schools outside of Division 1.