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Student Athlete Prep: Junior Day Notes

4/29/2017

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Heading to a college football Junior Day? Do you know what to expect?

More and more schools are using these JDs as a recruiting tactic - not only for the sport itself, but so that the school can show off their campus, facilities, and attention to academics.  With that, part of your program will discuss the academic expectations of the players, as well as the academic aide available - tutors, study halls, etc.

Junior Days are becoming less of a 'open call' and more of a true recruiting experience. Years back, 100s of recruits may have been invited to a JD. Now the day looks to be more selective with the incoming players, and thus the program is more meaningful.  To the group, the staff will talk football, player requirements and expectations, and overall give a feel for the team, the program, and what it is to be an athlete at their school.  You'll have the chance to see the locker room, fitness center, and field as well.

Of course, each school's JD will vary from the others, but know that for each of them the program may not be a very personal experience - meaning you may not have a one-to-one discussion with a coach or recruiting coordinator.  Our advice? Don't expect it, but certainly be ready to shine if and when that opportunity presents itself.

Oftentimes, the JD will coincide with the team's spring game.  There is a buzz of excitement around this initial game, which is great for prospects to see, but remember to pay close attention - how do the players handle themselves? How does the coaching staff operate? How do the on-field aspects of the team compare to what you are used to?

A popular question is, can an offer be made at a JD?  The answer is yes, it is a possibility (especially at smaller, more selective events).  Don't expect it, but be grateful if it does.

Overall, a JD is a great opportunity!  While making this unofficial visit to campus, you have the chance to visit with the coaches to learn more in depth about who they are looking to recruit, and the players that fit their team's character.  On the flip side, they get to see you in person, to learn if you have the right attitude, are truly the height and weight your stats say you are, and simply showing up takes an additional step at demonstrating your interest in the school and program. You and your family could also potentially meet with your regional admissions advisor. As a whole, take this time to develop meaningful relationships with the school and everyone you come into contact with who represents it.

When the day is done, be sure to send the coaching staff - specifically the coach recruiting you - an email afterwards to thank him for the opportunity, and telling him that you look forward to keeping in touch!

For guidance on how to approach Junior Days, or for other recruiting questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us by sending an email!

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Three Recruiting Mistakes to Avoid

4/10/2017

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The college prep and athletic recruiting process is already a stressful endeavor to begin with, so avoiding mistakes is paramount. As a high school student-athlete, keeping these three recruiting mistakes in mind will allow you to more seamlessly and confidently progress through the steps required to potentially play at the collegiate level.

Overestimating Your Level of Play

We want student-athletes to believe in themselves and to be confident in their abilities. Working hard on the field of play and in the classroom will allow for the best of opportunities to present themselves. That said, a primary mistake of both parents and student-athletes is to assume that the student-athlete is better than what he or she truly is. In turn, they assume that they will be a hot commodity in the recruiting cycle, and they sit back to wait for correspondences and phone calls from coaches and recruiting coordinators. We’ve said it many times – you need to be proactive and aggressively marketing yourself to suitable teams and programs in the correct way.  The larger schools that players typically aim for? Those are the ones playing on the weekends in those showcased time-slots so that the entire nation can be fixed on the game. Each of those schools has a luxury in their recruiting (procedurally, and with their budgets) which allows them to track the best of the best – even from an early age.  While many parents or players may not be able to sufficiently evaluate athletic abilities, participating in college camps or at select tournaments is a great way to gauge yourself among a larger pool of athletes.  Consider schools of best fit – athletically, academically, and socially. Overestimating talents can oftentimes leave a student-athlete frustrated, withdrawn, and cold to the process, especially when those offers aren’t rolling in as once anticipated.

Correspond with Only Select Teams and Schools

It would be incredibly easy if every school that you were interested was interested in you as well. Unfortunately, this is a rare occurrence. The biggest mistake that a student-athlete can make here is not reaching out to enough schools of ‘best fit’. By casting a wider net – and making yourself known to more programs – you will have the opportunity to potentially receive more offers and more options. Start sooner rather than later, educate yourself on the recruiting process of a number of teams, review as best you can what needs the team will have at your position and, of course, find schools that have majors and a curriculum that you are interested in learning about! You never know… a school that you may not have initially considered may just be the place that fits you perfectly, setting you up for a successful college experience in the years that follow.

Counting Your Chickens Before They Hatch

You’ve emailed a list of coaches. You’ve called a number of teams. Maybe you’ve even DM’d, tweeted at, and tagged the staff member who recruits your area. Sure, working to make these connections will, inevitably, lead to some level of communication.  You’ll get a response via email. Or a return phone call when the coach is able to do so per NCAA guidelines. Or a DM back telling you that the coach will ‘take a look’ at your highlight link. While this initial contact is a good starting point and can bring about positive feelings, a number of student-athletes will make the mistake of being over-confident. They think that this contact –  email, call, even that invitation to camp or a Junior Day – is the last piece of the puzzle in their recruitment and that they are a priority in the team’s recruiting landscape. Keep in mind that the pool of prospective athletes is an enormous one, and you need to keep working for your dream of playing at the collegiate level - you cannot take things for granted. Work even harder in the classroom, push yourself on the field like each play is your last, and continue to market yourself to teams and schools. Continue to prove that you are a great athlete, terrific student, and an even better person. Do not stop striving for your goal until you formally make that commitment you are aiming for.

Questions on recruiting? Looking for guidance in the process? Do not hesitate to reach out today! Contact us at info@leonardandrew.com.



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    Chad Dorman

    LAC - Founder/Director

    Jaclyn Corley

    Founder - The College Essay Captain, and featured guest blogger here for LAC. It's her mission to inspire people to tell empowering stories.

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