Athletes, especially high school football players, are hoping to get the infamous "full ride" but an overwhelming majority will not. Full scholarships are reserved for Juniors and Seniors while most new recruits (incoming college freshmen) receive a fraction of what they think they're worth. You see, they still think that being the best player on their high school team means that they'll go to college and play. They haven't yet found out that every athlete they're soon to meet was the best player on the high school team. They haven't stopped to consider that the college Sophomores and Juniors who they'll be competing with are older, much stronger, faster, and already know all the plays. Nope, they think that just because their high school team had a winning season and they had decent stats, they'll get the red carpet treatment. What a rude awakening they're in for . . .
What really happens? Well, during the recruiting process the recruiting coaches from schools across the nation are sent out to round up student-athletes. The emphasis is definitely on the word "student". Those student-athletes who are phenomenal MIGHT see the football field as a freshman but most will be red-shirted. To be red-shirted means that they're on the team but they won't play. It's a way for college coaches to take the first year of school to develop the new recruit as a player while the student acclimates to being out on his own for the first time. 99% of college freshmen are immature, lack game IQ, yet think they're God's gift to the team. A year on the bench is an effective way to remove that chip from their shoulder.
When they arrive to summer camp they get their first dose of reality. They realize that they're not the only player that was recruited for their position in spite of the coach saying, "Yeah, you're our guy." You see, coaches lie because they have to. They have to lie because the coaches from other programs lie. And, if they want to get the better student-athletes then they have to paint a picture that just isn't true. When a hot shot WR shows up at camp only to see twenty other recruits vying for the same job, it's a shock. But, that's what will happen.
Once the position coaches assemble their new recruits and begin practices, the new recruits are told that it's all about competition. "Nobody has a spot and every position is open" is what they'll be told. Of course, this isn't true, they already know all the key players. But, their job is to keep every "student" around until AFTER the drop-date for classes. Once the drop-date passes then the student is locked in for the semester and the Head Coach knows that the primary purpose of the football program is to increase enrollment. He knows that only a fraction of the 150 recruits will ever see competition. But, some may continue on with their degree once he "traps" them. And, unlike other winter and spring sports, a football coach has that unique advantage. He's able to announce the starters and who made the cut AFTER the drop/add date. If a student withdraws after the drop/add date then that student has spent a year of eligibility. Not only that but withdrawing will show as a "W" on the college transcripts. Of course, coaches will likely deny this but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that 150 recruits won't remain on the roster.
Is the purpose of this article to disparage coaches? No, it's not. This article is for the parents of student-athletes because they get caught up in the hype as well. Like the player, they're new to the process and they believe their son is the best. After all, they went to all of the games and they saw him perform. The problem is that they weren't at all of the other high schools watching the other players perform. In reality, their superstar is most likely an average college player. In fact, he might even be sub-par and he might be cut from the roster. The point is that dad is going to go to the college with his son and he's going to stick his chest out and walk tall and the coach is going to tell him the same exact lies that he tells the recruit. And, like the recruit, the dad is going to buy it hook, line, and sinker.
So . . . Which is the best college offer? Typically it's the one that will eventually result in playing time and a degree. Unless the student-athlete can go out and hang with the college Juniors and Seniors right out of the gate then the likelihood of ever reaching the NFL is slim to none. So put that dream on a shelf early and you'll sleep better at night. If the player is fortunate enough to get a D1 offer then, even if it's a low amount, that's the offer to take. D1 coaches are more selective about athletic ability and a player who receives a D1 offer will eventually get to play at a high level. If no D1 offer comes then take the offer that offsets the costs. College is expensive so the player might as well accept the fact that his slightly above average athletic ability will enable him to greatly reduce the cost of a college degree. It won't be easy because student-athletes have to work 3x harder than their classmates and juggle homework, practice, team meetings, and stricter rules.
I hope this article helps some student-athletes and their parents as they speak to recruiters and firm up their plans.