Expert: Thom Brooks - 1/7/2008

Question
Mr. Brooks, first of all I want to thank you for your time spent reading through this email.  Just to give you a quick recap I am now 20 years old and have been out of football for two years.  I was unable to play my senior year because of an academic eligibility issue(I graduated when I was 19.)  My junior year I was all-district quarterback so I was receiving a little recognition from local colleges.  But unfortunately because of my inability to play my senior year most of the interest went out the window.  I still received letters from junior colleges in the state my senior year but there were some things that were happening in my family that were holding me back.  Now the question I have to you is two fold, first I am trying to find out if there are any football camps that would allow me to participate being 20?  And also are there any junior colleges in the area that would be willing to take a look at me.  My family just moved to Florida from Iowa, so I am not familiar with the area.  As of right now I am 6' 210 pounds and I ran a 4.63 forty as recently as last month.  Not too outstanding but I am putting the time in to get better.  I will be looking to play Safety in college because that is where I feel I would be best able to contribute immediately.  So if you could just give me some sort of direction as to were to start I would appreciate it.  Thank you sir.

Answer
Colt, Happy New Year!

You need to contact the JUCO's and other colleges that expressed an interest, but if your heart is on a certain school, you need to contact their Coaching staff this week.  They're recruiting and the scouts are hunting for new blood.  Your age would only be a negative if you're out of shape.  It appears you have had the skills in the past, so you should be able to work hard to get back into "football shape".  Contact your state's high school association.  They will advise any camps that you may participate in.  The colleges have schedules showing tryouts and open camps.  Your age can work to being a strong Leadership advantage to help the younger guys, so use is as a force, not as a detriment.  

I'm not sure how many JUCO's have a football program in Florida, but you can certainly obtain the local and state wide colleges that would give you a shot.  Go to the websites of Florida, Florida State, Miami, South Florida, Florida International, Central Florida, Flagler (they may not offer football but can give other school names), and whichever city you're closest to.

Contact the city and county recreational departments, as well as the the Football Associations.  The officials have a tremendous knowledge of contact persons and schedules.

Your size is great, so there are plenty of schools that would be interested, but do not procrastinate.  Valdosta State would love to talk with you, as would Georgia Southern, Florida A. & M. , Bethune Cookman, and other
Div-1-AA, Div III, and maybe some of the Div-I schools.  

ncaafootball.com
JC Football Recruiting Front Page

ncaa.org

Welcome to I-AA.org, the worldwide leader in I-AA official news!

College Football Data Warehouse

D1AFootball.com

College Nicknames


Research through the websites above ( you may have to add www. to some of them or just google the names).  

You will make a great fit with the right homework, so get to work!!

Listen to my son's music at:

myspace.com/listen2three

I have to promote his band to everyone I speak to!

Take care,

Thom Brooks
Savannah, Georgia