Expert: Thom Brooks - 5/2/2010

Question
Hey,
I am a high school senior looking to walk on a d2 team. I am concerned because all my football experience is through clinics, not though any high school program. I am 5 9 160 pounds, my 40 is a 4.50 and I bench about 230. I would love to walk on at the school I am attending because I love the sport and would like to stay in it. However, I am concerned that my lack of high school ball will prevent me from ever even being able to walk on, but I was hoping my general athletic stats might help that. Am I correct in thinking this or will any coach just laugh at my lack of experience? Thanks,
Rich

Answer
Rich, hello!

I think a Coach would be very foolish to laugh at a prospective player until he's seen what the man can do.  You need to make up any deficit you may have by showing the school that you have Leadership, Character and that you know the rules of the game.  If you can show those kind of traits, the college will be proud to have you on their team.  You need to go the NCAA.com and read up on the Eligibility Rules.  You are at a disadvantage by competing with the men who have four years of experience.  It means you are going to have to find a way to outwork them, outsmart them and literally out hustle everyone on the field.  Your 40 time is good so they will find a place for you, if you have can take the physical punishment.  I admire the player that plays the proper mental game.  I coach a men's baseball team and take pride in that our team has won more games than the other 13 teams in the past 6 years because we are the classiset and we play smart ball.  

Go to the computer and look up definitions of Leadership.  Follow those words and you will make the team.

Now, GATA.


Thom Brooks