Second Tip: MAKE THEM WANT YOU

I feel that some may think this point is obvious, but it is more than just what you do on the field. You can be the best player on the field and be first team all state, but if you aren't doing the right things off the field then all of your athletic achievements will be futile. I am sure most of you have heard this over one hundred times, but you are not just an athlete, you are a STUDENT-ATHLETE. Notice the word student comes before athlete. It is very important that college coaches know that you are strong athletically and academically. What most people do not know is that grades can both open and close doors for recruits. Coaches only have a certain number of waivers to put on a players transcript to clear them through admission. Even if you think you are good enough for a waiver, the college coach may think otherwise. So keep your grades up and great things will happen. Also, off field conduct is HUGE. While it is unrealistic to tell a high school student to not do the various things that high school students do all the time, it is important to remember to be smart. Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco (including chewing tobacco) are detrimental to a student athletes body. Some believe that chewing tobacco instead of smoking will keep you in shape. This fact is false. Chewing tobacco will clog your arteries and you will feel the effects during conditioning. If you keep a clean police record, get good grades, and play kick butt football, then the sky is the limit.