Expert: Thom Brooks - 2/6/2008

Question
I played football all through high school except my senior year because of a shoulder surgery. I had some D1-AA schools looking at me but they stopped after my I did not play my senior year. I am a freshman in college now with a 3.52 GPA, I am 5'11", 219lbs and run a 4.71 in the 40. The only problem is I do not know how to get my name and information to these teams. Besides walking on what other way is there to try out for a college football team?

Answer
Thomas, hello!

You need to contact the Div-1AA team that had shown the original interest.  Let them and all schools you want to enroll understand that your surgery was successful and you're better than ever.  If your medical records do not reflect that you've healed, you will not get the time of day from the schools.  My son had shoulder surgery at age 17 and missed his senior year of high school ball, so I understand the disappointment you must have felt.  Do you have any stats, films, newspaper clippings, etc.?  Get those in front of the Assistant coaches or scouts that you wish to apply to.  

Make contact with former coaches and players that have an open door to the team you want to play for.  Contact that school's area T.V. and radio celebrities that handle the sports news.  Enroll in the
courses, like Sports Medicine, that could get you close to the team.
Meet those players and Coaches and you will be on the team before you know it.  

Don't dream about the dream.  Make it happen.  Do something positive towards meeting your goal, each and every week.  Keep a written diary of your attempts, your workouts, the improvements of your sprints, etc.  Document everything.  Show the Athletic Department the records you've kept.  Make them know you are a Leader.  


You are in for a happy and memorable trip, so enjoy it!

Thom Brooks