Expert: Thom Brooks - 1/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: mr. brooks, i had a season ending injury in our annual marroon and white night on aug 17th. i started as a junior and had a productive season-30 catches 750 yds and 9 tds. i made 1st team all conference and all area as a junior. i was and still am being recruited by many schools, did not have any offers (yet). what are my chances of getting a d1 school to take achance on me? i am in rehab and almost back to playing form. plan on running track in the spring-200m,400m. also was all conference in track also. i am 6"3" 180# run(ran) a 4.5 and possess a 31" vertical.

ANSWER: Curtis, hello!

Your stats are good and your opportunity is excellent!  If you're not completely healed, you can get a Medical Red Shirt year so you will still be able to play 4 years, if you've not graduated.  Obviously, you have to have time for rehabilitation and it depends on if the injury was shoulder, leg, back, head, etc.  If you're going to be a RB, the doctors will look closely before releasing you back to full pads.  

Hard work, dedicated discipline and your own personal Leadership will make the rehab successful.  I sense that you have that kind of spirit, so you will be a great player for Div- I to want you.

Stay in touch and let me know which team you select.  I'll follow your progress forever!

I helped a man get a scholarship for baseball at Savannah State.  The men's team I coach won our League championship two years in a row but finished third this past fall.  That fella hit a 3 run homer and ended the Bomber's season at 15-11 but I still love him.  So!  I may pull against your team but support you personally!

Have a fantastic time while you're working hard for that degree!

Write your goals down this month.  Keep charts of your sprint times, weight, diets, etc.  Keep your personal goals in writing and keep checking them.  Do not let it get away from you by the end of February.  Most people want to be successful, but fail to plan or lose their discipline.  Make yourself follow through with everything you do, and you will be a champion, like Rice, Brady, Owens, Favre, Manning and those kind of fellas. Finish the Drill.

Happy New Year !!!

Thom Brooks

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thsnks for the response. one last question... is it true that D1aa,DII schools can "split up" their scholarships? Would like to know before i start talking to schools.  

Answer
Curtis, hello!

You need to get an official opinion from the NCAA.org site or one of your coaches can call NCAA to verify.  I believe you have 4 years of eligibility, barring a red shirt, or medical waiver.  You can move from one division to another without sitting out a year, but not if you transfer from a Div-I to a Div-I school, (you have to sit out one year).  

Take care and do great!

Thom Brooks