I Am Going To Play D1 Football

"I am going to play D1 football." If I had a dime every time I heard that, I would be a wealthy man. What's most concerning about this statement is twofold. 1: The player usually has no idea what they are talking about or is qualified to make that determination. It may be a goal, aspiration, etc., which is great, but it is not anchored in reality. 2: Their HS coach has not set level expectations, which is problematic. One last point on this, sometimes parents may not have level set this expectation with the player and set them up for failure.

It's ok to aspire and work towards playing D1 ball. We work with lots of players who aspire AND are capable of playing D1 ball,...legit, and actually go on to play there, but you must be aware of what that means and what it actually takes.

Playing D1 football is the most competitive sport you can play outside of the NFL or the Olympics. ONLY the best players get recruited, and only the elite of the best actually see the field. There is a huge difference between being on a D1 roster and actually playing. Many players may make the roster as a walk-on or on scholarship but very few will actually see the field. Some players are fine with that. "I played at Penn State or Washington,"...but actually, never played anything. There is nothing wrong with that, and congratulations on your success. Seriously. But competitors want to compete.

I have worked with players who could have easily made the roster at a D1 FBS program or FCS program, but they were competitors who wanted to PLAY football. So they chose to drop down where they could start, out of the gate or the next year. PLAYING was more important than sitting on the sideline.

Let me give you an example of how this works in a general sense. Let's say you're a QB. Most colleges will have 5 QBs on the roster. ONLY QB1 will see the field 99.9% of the time unless injured. QB2 will run the scout O and will back up QB1. QB,3,4,5 will never see the field. QB 3 may get a couple of reps on scout O. That's it. Now, if your Mac Jones or some other stud who just needs a place to develop for a year and redshirt, etc. or your Tom Brady who fought his way to QB1 at Michigan, where he split reps sitting, at QB3, 4, or 5, you will simply sit on the sideline and watch the game. If you're cool with that, awesome. IF you want to compete, look for a place where you have a chance to compete regardless of the level.

Getting that scholarship or walk-on status is only the beginning. You will need to earn and maintain that status. Many player lose their scholarship because the program needs to free up a spot or scholarship for a new stud, or you become academically ineligible, etc. Remember, there is always someone else outworking you to get that spot!

Now, depending on what position you play, it may be even tougher to walk on OR get a scholarship, i.e., QB. Let's take a high-level look at what it takes to play D1 football (FBS and FCS).

I have included some high-level stats here. There is always some give and take here, but this should give you a general MINIMUM ballpark. If you are not meeting these or exceeding them, you need to work with us!

S I Z E - General size of D1 Athletes

S P E E D - You must be fast! Not local town fast, national level fast!

I would say some of these numbers are a little slow in the skill position. My experience with QBs is that 4.7 is a little slow. Many of today's dual-threat QBs run a 4.5. But again, general information here.

To be recruited for D1 Football, players will need a combination of skill sets and experience. Here are some high-level MUST-HAVES for a D1 prospect.

QUARTERBACK

• Be a 3-year Varsity Starter with command of the offense and good football IQ.

• All State, Conference, etc. Hold some passing, TD records, etc.

• Can make EVERY throw (deep, outs, seams, comeback, on the run, bubbles, touch, laser, etc.)

• Read Progressions quickly. Not looking at your receivers.

• Poise under pressure.

• Making Plays with your legs.

• Minimum 6’2, 200 lbs

RUNNING BACK

• Elite burst through the hold.

• Balance and shedding tackles

• Speed to separate from defenders

• Pass blocking

• Pass Catching

• Route Running

• Footwork

• Minimum 6’0, 195 lbs

WIDE RECIEVER

• Stance

• Routes

• Instant release off the line

• Top End Speed 4.6 or faster

• Ability to catch in traffic

• Separation from the DB in man

• Win contested catches

• Blocking downfield

• Good pre-snap adjustments

• Minimum 5’9, 195 lbs

O/D LINEMEN

OL

• Dominant physically

• Moving the line of scrimmage by 3-5 yards

• OL must have great pad level, quick feet, and deliver a powerful punch

• Superior footwork

• Speed

• Minimums 6’2 and 200 Lbs. Depends on the position

• Must be an athlete

DL

• Create havoc on every play

• Knows how to contain

• Wins with speed, power, and leverage

• Produces TFLs and Sacks

• Fast and Violent

• An athlete

• Minimums 6’2 and 200 Lbs. Depends on the position

LINEBACKER

• Explosive first step

• Sideline - Sideline range

• Physical at the point of attack

• WRAPS when tackling

• Good hands

• Must be able to cover RBs and TEs

• Sheds Blocks and fills holes consistently

• Leads the defense and may contribute on special teams

• An athlete who makes plays consistently

• A menace

• Minimums 6’0 200 Lbs

Further, most D1 (and lower division) prospects have a 3.5 (min) to 4.0+ High School GPA, a lot of school activities and volunteer hours, and are great kids, players, and teammates. Their HS coaches can't wait to tell college recruiters about their player and more. You need to be elite ON the field and OFF.

In addition to all that, you need to achieve AND maintain GPA and academic standards with your coaches, your school, and the NCAA.

S C H E D U L E

As if that were not enough, your D1 schedule is very demanding. Let's take a look at a typical day in a D1 player's schedule.

MORNING / AFTERNOON

• 5:30 - 6:00 AM Wake up, eat breakfast, and pack for the day

• 6:00 - 8:00 AM Team meeting to review practice schedule

• 8:30 - 0:00 AM Shower and get to class

• 9:00 - 2:00 AM/PM  Classes and lunch

• 2:00 - 2:30 PM Watch and review game and practice film

AFTERNOON / EVENING

• 2:30 - 3:15 PM  AT / Boo boo review/taping before practice

• 3:30 - 6:00 PM Team practice

• 6:00 - 7:00 PM Shower and training

• 7:00 - 7:30 PM  East dinner

• 7:30 - 9:30 PM Academic Support Center

• 9:30 - 12:00 AM Finish homework and go to sleep

Don't forget about carving out time to meet with dietitians, academic counselors, head coaches, position coaches, etc.

Now, this is not to discourage you, but rather to inspire and level set expectations. Not everyone is made for D1 ball. It sounds good when you're killing it on Friday night, college coaches are calling, and you're watching Ohio State, Clemson, UCLA, etc., play on Saturday, but to actually DO IT is another thing.

I have had many player that made it and got the golden ticket, but when they got there, it was too much and they wanted to have more of their life back or more free time AND still play football. That's ok!

I have always said, if you can get football to pay for your education regardless of the division or level, you are a winner! There are a lot of opportunities to play football in college. D1 FCS, D2, D3, JUCO, etc. Some D2 and D3 schools play some badass football.

In fact, if you want to see if you're cut out for D1 ball, try playing JUCO for a little bit. JUCO is the farm team/league for D1 FBS and FCS, and many a pro player has played JUCO football - Aaron Rodgers, Tyreek Hill, Julian Edleman, Alvin Kamara, Rhamondre Stevenson, Cam Newton, and many more! Playing JUCO ball will put you up against D1-level athletes.

Don't be so focused on playing D1 football. Focus on being the best player and teammate you can be. If you're a D1 prospect, you will know. Coaches will let you know. Colleges will let you know. In the meantime, train like you just got an offer from Alabama or your dream school, and focus on what's the right fit for you.

Nothing is impossible if you truly want it and can meet the minimum standards. Remember, lots of people want to be a Navy SEAL, a Fighter Pilot, a Fireman, an Astronaut, etc., but if you can't meet and exceed the minimums, you won't make it. You won't even get a chance to try. Improve your chances by doing what elite players do. They work with coaching organizations like PROformance. They are grinding all year long, even if they are dual sport athletes. They prepare, have great film, great SM, know how to communicate, have great grades, and more.

If you need help or want to learn more about playing college football and improve your chances of getting recruited, please join me for my presentation - FROM HS FOOTBALL TO THE COLLEGE GRIDIRON - Preparing High School Football Student-Athletes for College Football Success. This is a real deal presentation that will empower you and provide you with the best information to be successful. No BS. Check it out! https://www.proformancefootballtraining.com/highschooltothecollegegridiron

Until then, always give 100%, 100% of the time!

Coach David Frederick