<p>“The first question is what is his legitimate skill level? At any level, recognize that the college game is far different than the high school game. Even at D3, the speed and violence of the game is much different than in high school. This is especially true if your son is coming from a less than successful high school program. On that point, if your son is the “biggest and strongest” kid in the district at 6’3” 310, benching 350 and squatting 550, my guess is the competitive level he is playing at right now is not terribly high.":</p>
<p>A fair question, to be sure. I was an Ivy football player, and I am aware of the differences between even that level and high school. I would say that the football in our area isn’t very good, to be sure, and that the program he is in is one of the worst. None of this is his fault - he can’t help that our area sucks for football and that his team is one of the worst around (though even a few years ago we were contenders - demographics are a ■■■■■). Also I must say that I don’t expect him to be a compelling recruit for anyone in D1, but feel that IAA (or whatever they call it now) or DII are legitimate options, especially when projecting into the future.</p>
<p>“His strength numbers are good (particularly the squat, and assuming it is a chair or full squat), but not really out of line for at least D1 recruits on the offensive line. His height meets the minimum threshold (assuming he is a legit 6’3”), although if he is slow at his current level at that height, he is going to have problems trying to play at a competitive level in either D1 or D2 frankly. His weight is what it is. Most college coaches will assume they can fix that if they find him too heavy."</p>
<p>Remember that he missed an entire year of conditioning and preparation due to injury- I am banking on the fact that he definitely has a lineman’s body (lots of muscle, not just a fat kid) and that he would be a great candidate to be stashed for a redshirt year to lose bodyfat and gain muscle mass and aerobic conditioning. He is 17 now - project him at 20 at 6-4 or 6-5, 320 with less than 20% bodyfat and a much higher degree of conditioning. </p>
<p>"Has he played against anyone going to a D1 school next year? How did he do when matched up against that talent?</p>
<p>Nah, he hasn’t. But a few years ago he wrestled as a sophomore against some highly-ranked prospects and all of them and coaches went away impressed with his potential.</p>
<p>“Second, what level are you shooting for? Unlike bigger programs, most D3 schools have a significant number of walk ons on the roster, many of whom turn into successful players for the school. That is not so much the case in D1. In the bigger programs, most of the kids who walk on will end up getting cut from the roster quickly. Very few walk ons, even “recruited” walk ons, end up playing in D1. D2 is, as you would expect, somewhere in the middle. Many D2 schools have a number of walk ons on their roster, but the vast majority of guys who will play will have been recruited in one form or another.”</p>
<p>I’m shooting for the highest level he can get. JUCO, DIII, DII, etc…</p>
<p>“My guess is that D1 schools are probably out of reach for next year. While many schools are still actively recruiting, they are recruiting from a relatively small group of players that they had identified in the spring and summer, if not earlier. If he is set on trying to play at that level, I would look to maybe a JUCO. A lot of guys who end up at a JUCO think of themselves as D1 level players who either had academic or injury problems. Many use a year or two at a JUCO to get their academics and body right, and then go on to compete successfully in D1. I think PG years in football are a primarily East Coast, high academic college thing. I know a couple dozen kids who have gone on to play in college over the last few years, none of whom even contemplated a PG year. It just isn’t done here in the Midwest.”</p>
<p>We are looking at three prep schools for PG and some JUCOS as well as some lower-level schools. But as you say the PGs are not an opportunity in your area, there really aren’t many JUCOS here on the East Coast with football teams.</p>
<p>“Whatever level he is aiming at, and assuming he is playing this year, you need to get a highlight tape together. Don’t know what state you are in, but where I am, the HS season is going into week 7. That should be more than enough film to show his skill set and potential to a college coach. Identify the schools he is targeting. Once that is done, you can generally find the recruiting coach for your area by perusing the team web site. If he is targeting D1, I would probably not worry about getting that tape out before the end of this recruiting cycle, because it is not likely (given what you have posted) that he will jump out on tape enough for someone to shake up their board at this stage. If that is where he wants to be, then start identifying coaches in February and March and get your tape out while soliciting information on walking on. D2, D3 and JUCO schools have much more fluid boards at this point in the cycle, and I would try and get tape out to those coaches as soon as you can. At whatever level you target, I would send a concise e mail along with the hudl link to the recruiting coach, introducing your son, explaining abut the hip injury, and setting out his desire to continue to play football.”</p>
<p>We are putting together some tape now. As I said, it’s hard to do with such a horrible team, but slowly but surely we are getting it done,</p>
<p>"Best of luck! "</p>
<p>Thank you very much.</p>