Expert: Thom Brooks - 11/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I've just finished a four year bachelor in engineering degree in the UK. During the time I attended university (I'm 22 now) I took up US football as a means to keep fit and it has spiralled into a bit of an obssession. What I'm wondering is that I'm looking to do a Masters and also even the prospect of playing college ball for a div 3 team really excites me. Is it totally unheard of for a UK based player to apply for a scholarship (partial or full) and be successful in his application? Or is the class difference that vast that it just wouldn't be worth the effort? K

ANSWER: Kenny, hello!


Only you can answer that question!  You have the intelligence to play great at Football.  You have some experience but the college you attend will inform you quickly if they have a spot for you.  Your aspiration would depend on what position you seek to play.  Every player on the team as a job to perform and the college will take the best fit for that position.  If you are talented physically, you should be able to compete for that slot.  It is an Art.  You are wise enough to knwo that you can learn the Rules and Mechanics.  Are you physically able to withstand the pain?  If you've played Rugby and been in the middle of a Scrum, then the Coaches will want to look at you!  You Rugby players are nuts and I love it.


Review all of these websites.  Call the NCAA.  Contact the colleges where you need to work on your Masters to see about their football program.  Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern and Georgia State can satisfy the educational requirements.  Maybe you can help those teams win ballgames!!




Take Care,

Thom Brooks
www.BrooksInsuranceSchool.com
Savannah Adult Baseball League

Please review the following websites. The first one is my youngest son's band! Listen2Three.com


The Official Web Site of the NCAA - NCAA.org - NCAA.org



Football Championships Administration

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http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uploads/PDF/Football_Rulesadc982b5-03fb-4e27-828

ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf

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Encyclopedia - Southeastern Conference

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NFL Players Listed by College - databaseFootball.com College Football


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SportingNews.com - Your expert source for MLB Baseball, NFL Football,

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GHSA.net > www.ghsa.net
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www.secsports.com - All Time Final AP Football Poll


NFL Players Listed by College - databaseFootball.com

List of NCAA Division I Institutions: Information from Answers.com

REFEREE, the Magazine for Sports Officials


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

QUESTION: Haha yeah. I played rugby for 8 years as both positions (hooker an prop) in the centre of the scrum as well as another 7 years of freestyle wrestling so it saf to say I'm very partial to a bit of contact sports. It's more the age factor I was curious about to be honest. I'm in the middle o my preseason training just now with my current club so it would be roughly 9 months before I'd be looking to enroll. But i've been hitting the weights heavy and working on my endurance so I physically I think I could stand up. I currently play fullback/tightend/linebaker. Thanks alot for all the info you've given, you've been more than helpful and I can't thank you enough! K

Answer
Kenny, Your age will only give Leadership and Calmness to the younger players.  Your speed may not be as great as the 18-20 year fellas but you can make up for it with experience of bashing brains in Rugby.

I'm in Savannah, Georgia where many teams (from your land) come to play in the St. Patricks Day Rugby tournments on March 17th.  If you make it to Savannah, give me a ring.  My youngest son plays in a band called Listen 2 Three.  A couple of years ago, while he was playing in a bar down on River Street, a Rugby team came in.  All of them were healthy, corn fed chaps.  One of them walked over to a couple of great looking blondes, expecting to charm them with his Pectorals.........  The entire bar and his team got a great laugh when the two blonde ladies laughed at him and then thrust their tongues into each other's mouths.  I've never seen such a red faced Rugby player.  He wasn't used to being rejected that way!

I coach a Men's baseball team, called the Savannah Bombers.  They're mostly college players, over age 23, with some Minor League Pros stuck in there.  We have 14 teams, 240 players, and the Men's Adult Baseball League has 46,000 members nationwide.  When you get to the states, join one of those teams if college doesn't work out for you.  If you move to Savannah, maybe you'll end up on my team.  We've won 4 of the last 5 years Championships so if you play like a girl, I'll get you on another team!!

Have a great day and let me know which school you attend so I can follow your Grid Iron skills!

Thom Brooks