My son and High school football

[huskerssalts]

My son is a junior and plays RB, CB and safety for the Southern Raiders a little south of Beatrice, im from Beatrice. Tonight he had 20 carries for 179 yards, 2 touchdowns and on defense he had 4 pass breaks up, i believe it was 1 interception or maybe it was 2 and i believe he had around 6 tackles, give or take a couple. He plays in class C which isnt bad but i wish they got more college looks. My nephew was betting hed get a scholly some wheres but the lack of scouts i doubt he'll get a shot. Just proud of him.

 

[huskerfan1414]

"he's basically the team." are you kidding? And are you talking a D-1 scholarship might I ask?

 

[otter 3030]

huskerfan, he's a proud dad. Leave him be.
HSalts - get him to a few camps, preferably NE. If he has the tools, he'll be seen. If not, go down a notch and go to a d2 camp. Just a piece of advice from another father

 

[TheNewNU]

camps, camps, camps. If he really wants to play in college get his butt to as many camps as you can possibly afford. It could be too late though most recruiting starts when kids are going into their sophomore season tbh. If he is at a small class C school they won't take his game film into much consideration. He has to show he can play with D1 quality athletes and the best way of doing that is camps. Talk to his coach to and see if he can get into contact with college coaches from around the area and have them take a look at him. Best of luck

 

[huskerssalts]

Kinda what i figured, and i was trying to be modest. All night, every Friday all you hear is Salts with a break up, Salts with a 15 yard gain or like tonight, Salts takes one to the house for 90 yards. Other parents say it seems like hes the only kid you hear of all night.But sure id love to get him a D1 scholly, D2 or juco to start would be fine by me. I considered transferring him to Beatrice for his senior year hoping that could help.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Sorry Otter, but I can't let that go when I see it. He posted it in public, I have a right to let him know I don't think it's okay to think/say that....because it isn't.
As far as the colleges go, otter has good advice about camps that should be followed and you need to get him to as many as possible, but I would add to that to create a hudl highlight film video and email the link to some coaches.
The fact is, if the player is good enough for D-1 they WILL find him. D-2 or NAIA (and there's nothing wrong with playing NAIA) you might have to shoot a few emails. But if he makes all-district or all-state this season he'll be on a few radars for NAIA and maybe D-2.
2nd piece of general advice for the board is don't judge a high school player (in any sport) by whether he gets scholarship offers or not. I've known kids, a few driven by their fathers, who basically went through high school without ever enjoying it because they were constantly and desperately looking ahead and could never enjoy their accomplishments or the moment. Do your best and have no regrets. Fact is this: if he's good enough, it'll happen. If he isn't, there's nothing wrong with that. Academics are a great way to help pay for college too.
Good luck to your son in his football career.

 

[otter 3030]

I like that response, fan1414. Just sayin he's a proud dad, I don't blame him a bit.

 

[Cornicator]

OP, judging by location, you're close to Peru State and Doane. Give them both a call and send them some film. Doane has a great program and plenty of tradition, even though it's expensive. Peru State plays in an amazing conference and has some exceptional new facilities/stadium. Its also the least expensive school in the state. And while it is difficult to earn a D1 scholarship from a Class C school in Nebraska, its not impossible. I can promise you your boy would be on the "radar" if he was a D1 caliber athlete.
The concept of a "scout"lurking in the stands isn't really a reality, but coaches talk at conference meetings and events. If any school has a D1 caliber prospect, the word will get out. There is no shame if you're not at that level

If your son is playing running back in high school, and runs track, keep this in mind. Virtually every Husker walk on DB or skill player Ive ever seen was some kind of freak in track. He would need to be among the state leaders in the 100, or 200, or 300 hurdles, or 400, or one of the jumping events.

Since your son is still a junior, he still has time to gain some D2 scholarship offers. NW Missouri State has been a major player in your area for the last decade. They really heat up their recruiting in the Spring of a kids Junior year. You can reach out to them and see if they are interested.

If not, I would certainly contact Doane and Peru State. If you're Catholic, I would reach out to Benedictine in Atchison, KS. That school is amazing from the campus to their facilities to the 5,000+ tailgaters they get per game. Its also not that far from your home.

Good luck to you and your son.

 

[newAD]

Video, video, and more video!

Does your high school subscribe to Hudl? Emails to coaches with individual highlight links.

 

[TruHusker]

As a past high school administrator and assistant coach here is what I have seen over and over. Your kid will be seen in film. His current HS coach should be making a highlight film already of his junior year. Camps are O.K. but you cant go to all of them so you have to pick the ones that get the most overall exposure. In other words, going to a camp at Peru is good for them but doesnt necessarily get out to anyone else.

Get him in a major lifting and conditioning program. My experience is most HS have something but they are not comprehensive for technique, weight gain and adding strength.

They dont send scouts to games unless you are very elite. It is all about measureables and his film. I have worked with dozens of very good athletes over the years who lacked size, speed, strength, overall athletic ability, desire, dedication or some other key compoment but were stars in their own right. College coaches will look for the entire package. There are literally hundreds of kids who are 5'11" and 180 lbs who can dominate their level of play. Those stats do not always translate into a scholie.

A coach I worked with now has the #2 team in the state with some amazing athletes, some of the best I have seen and he is in the heart of many college programs at all levels. Unless a player is super elite and I mean super, you are not going to hear much from colleges. He would be a notch higher than Nebraska C I think.

I also had a head coach whose son was the team QB. When I arrived at the school all I heard about was this kid and how many schools were looking at him from KU and more. Went to every camp know to man and film went all over the country. Eventually went to a small private college, played a year and quit. Even at that level, the game is demanding. I also knew some of the Kansa Jayhawk league coaches and talk about competitive!

Work on size and stength and hone his abilities and his coach will get his film out. They will find him.

 

[leodisflowers]

Agree with sending out videos and utilizing Hudl. I'm not going to make judgement because I have never seen the kid play, but I would say about half of the kids in all classes can put up these numbers. If you are the featured athlete in a small town this isn't uncommon. Yes he may be good, but usually the D1 talent type kids are putting up 300 yard games on a regular basis. Just my $.02

 

[WestCoastCornhusker]

My son is a junior and plays RB, CB and safety for the Southern Raiders a little south of Beatrice, im from Beatrice. Tonight he had 20 carries for 179 yards, 2 touchdowns and on defense he had 4 pass breaks up, i believe it was 1 interception or maybe it was 2 and i believe he had around 6 tackles, give or take a couple. He plays in class C which isnt bad but i wish they got more college looks. My nephew was betting hed get a scholly some wheres but the lack of scouts i doubt he'll get a shot. Just proud of him.

What is his height weight and 40 time?

 

[hddude55]

What is his height weight and 40 time?

According to Hudl, 5'11", 155 and 5.1 forty.

 

[leodisflowers]

According to Hudl, 5'11", 155 and 5.1 forty.

 

[tro80]

I recommend looking at GPAC schools. They are more expensive, but if he is a good student (3.5 or above GPA) and can score in the upper 20s to around 30 on his ACT, he can get half tuition at least - and a 29 - 30 or so (depending on school) will get him closer to 75% -80% tuition at most schools. Get a little athletic money and you are looking net cost of no more than $15K (including room and board). If he qualifies for Pell Grants and other need-based financial aid, he can go for no more than what it would cost to attend UNL - probably less. Currently, GPAC has teams ranked 3rd (Morningside), 6th (Doane), 15th (Northwestern), 21st (Dakota Wesleyan) and 23rd (Concordia) in NAIA. The GPAC schools are strong academic schools, all are Christian-based schools, and most have very strong undergraduate programs in certain areas - such as teaching education, physical therapy, nursing, to name a few.

 

[huskerssalts]

No idea on 40 time to be honest, i believe hes about 6 foot maybe 6'1 and i myself just started weights with him this past summer, id say hes at the 180 range. But hes got the body for 210. I was a WLB in school and due to wieghts at the YMCA i wiegh about 220. So id GUESS hes got the make up for a good build.

 

[Diplomat_Dean]

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/2947181/highlights/302638394

Honest opinion? Right now he's not D1 or D2, but NAIA might take a look and develop him.
- Runs and plays defense too upright. No forward lean.
- Looks slow and choppy
- Plays C-2, which is pretty bad football in Nebraska.


Get him working on feet and ladder drills, loosen those hips up.

 

[huskerssalts]

That's what im looking for, honest opinions. My nephew is what got me thinking college wise. The team he plays for does no extra work with them other then practices. Why i wondered if a class B school like Beatrice would help pull a Wayne State or similar type school.

 

[huskerssalts]

But i want to say thanks to everyone who gave me even a second of there time for thoughts and opinions. Its opened my eyes quiet a bit because tue pour boy has never been in a strength and conditioning program of any type outside of what they do just for practices. The school does allow tue boys and girls to use the gym during the summer if they like from 6 am to 10 am. But all it is, is show up and hit some wieghts if you like type deal.

I think the closest to any type of D1 chance is my younger 2 sons who also wrestle, the 14 year old is going for his 4 time state wrestling championship this year.

 

[kaz36]

But i want to say thanks to everyone who gave me even a second of there time for thoughts and opinions. Its opened my eyes quiet a bit because tue pour boy has never been in a strength and conditioning program of any type outside of what they do just for practices. The school does allow tue boys and girls to use the gym during the summer if they like from 6 am to 10 am. But all it is, is show up and hit some wieghts if you like type deal.

I think the closest to any type of D1 chance is my younger 2 sons who also wrestle, the 14 year old is going for his 4 time state wrestling championship this year.

Can I ask how your son can be 14 and going for his 4th state wrestling title?

 

[kerpal_68]

Can I ask how your son can be 14 and going for his 4th state wrestling title?

I think youth wrestling has a state tournament.

 

[TruHusker]

I replied earlier to this thread and see some additional information has been added. The one thing you have to consider is the leap it takes to go from high school to college at any level, NAIA, JC, D1 you name it. The weight room is critical and if he is not doing that now he needs to start immediately. It almost becomes a second job - lifting weights and becoming more explosive. At any level, this is going to be key so start now.

Every sport, with the possible exception of track I have had athletes go on to post secondary competition. They were all great kids, great athletes and hard workers. What nearly everyone found out was how much different that level is than HS. One kid was all-league in everything and got a basketball scholarship and lasted one year. He told me, in college you don't just get a shot, you have to create it and I couldn't do that. I knew the girls basketball coach at Fort Hays State several years ago and he commented how hard it was to keep athletes at that level. They will not play anything beyond that level, they don't get paid much money for scholarships and they work really hard. They better be committed to the hard work of college ball and love it.

I can't believe any school does not have a substantial lifting program but I guess I haven't been in all of them. It transforms kids in all sports.

 

[tro80]

What he really needs to do if interested in NAIA - which I think is probably his best shot to really get to play - is start researching schools now. As soon as the football season is over for NAIA, email the coaches (most of the schools have an online information sheet he can fill out) and possibly visit those he might have interest in this spring, and then look for a camp at the two or three he has most interest in. The coaches are going to be figuring out who they want and divvying up their scholarship money this spring and summer, so he really needs to jump on it if he wants to play. GPAC schools are in Nebraska, Western Iowa and SD. So, a little more travel from Beatrice. But there are a couple of NAIA conferences with Kansas, OK and Missouri schools that might be a little closer to home (Baker comes to mind is an excellent school that is not terribly far from Beatrice), and there are several in the KC area. Anyway, good luck to him. Keep in mind DIII schools don't give athletic scholarships - but if he is good academically they find other ways to get him scholarships.

 

[huskerssalts]

Yes as poster listed above, youth wrestling (club wrestling they call it) has state championships (doesnt matter if your class A,B, C or what ever, they go by weight) and theres even Nationals and all. He made Nebraskas national team by winning USA state championship, he had to beat a Omaha kid to get into the champ match and beat a Lincolns LWC kid to win it. the Nebraska team then goes out and wrestles all the other states national teams. It pretty cool.

 

[mgbreis]

I agree with the poster trying to tell you to look into the GPAC, but he'd better be at least a decent student. If that's the case he can help pay for school, get a great education and have a lot of fun playing football. And there are some very good athletes at that level. There are lots of kids who put up video game numbers in H.S. that can't get on the field at GPAC schools. Honestly, if he's good I'd be surprised if he hasn't been contacted by some of the Nebraska GPAC schools aready? I had a blast playing at that level and was basically a 2nd string / special teams kind of player.

 

[soybean]

My son is a junior and plays RB, CB and safety for the Southern Raiders a little south of Beatrice, im from Beatrice. Tonight he had 20 carries for 179 yards, 2 touchdowns and on defense he had 4 pass breaks up, i believe it was 1 interception or maybe it was 2 and i believe he had around 6 tackles, give or take a couple. He plays in class C which isnt bad but i wish they got more college looks. My nephew was betting hed get a scholly some wheres but the lack of scouts i doubt he'll get a shot. Just proud of him.

Send his name and details to the Iowa staff...they are always looking for sleepers from Nebraska that the Huskers don't want.

 

[StrongArm517]

Got two kids to D1 schools. film film film get it out sophomore year.

 

[jjoak22]

I have coached in the GPAC and am currently coaching at a big high school in Iowa. The schools will start to filter into the high schools during the next month when their season ends. The high school head coaches will let the recruiters now who is capable of playing at the next level. As a junior the word will start to get out as colleges are able to evaluate film. College coaches don't have much time during the season to evaluate film so unless he wasn't already on their radar going into the season it will be slow right now. Since he is only a junior get him to camps this spring and summer, if he has places he wants to play have HIM make a contact. College coaches get emails and phone calls constantly from high school coaches about players they think can play, the problem is the the college coach doesn't know if the player is actually interested to go to that school, even IF they can play at the level.

Hudl sells subscriptions to colleges by state and/or region so colleges can look through film if they have chosen that state/region. If JUCO is an option look at Iowa Western and the Kansas JUCOs, shoot them an email.

 

[headcard]

It's about ceiling really. If you think he is a solid NAIA type player, contact those schools and send some film. If you think he is a D1 type athlete that just hasn't had exposure look at the JUCO's (IWCC, FSCC, Highland are all pretty close geographically).