Expert: Thom Brooks - 10/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: Thom I am a Junior in High School and I have been involved around football
about all my life. I played QB from 7th-10th grade but I do not have a whole
lot of expierence because the other QB's dad is one of the head coachs and
started his son over me even though I think I had the edge over him skill
wise. I have a wide knowledge of the game, I have a strong arm, and I can
find the open man. I am one of the most athletic kids in the school I believe
that my skills are good enough where I could make it at the college level and I
would love to try to get back into football in college maybe at a school like
Ohio U. Do you think I should try out or what do you think I should do?

ANSWER: Kevin, the statesment you made reflect the reason I started coaching Baseball in this past 8 years.  It used to bother me to watch kids sitting on the bench but were better players than the Coach's son.  

If you have a burning desire, if you have the passion, if you have the grades, if you have the Leadership, then you need to push hard to play for the Bobcats or any dadgum team in the country.  You have to have the fire.  It sounds like you have it.  Do not give up.  Do not wait for the opportunity to come to you.  Talk to Ohio U. today.  Make people aware that you are the next Marino/Montana/Brady and that air of confidence, without cockiness, will be seen by those that judge your ability.  The fact that you didn't get the nod over the Coach's son needs to make you a better QB than ever.  Do not get into self pity or you will always be a 3rd stringer.  Get focused today.

I'm a Georgia Southern Eagle fan, but if Ohio U. doesn't have an opportunity, you always have the Div-II teams that can give you a chance, like Youngstown State.

Stay in touch, so I can pull for you!!

Thom Brooks

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

QUESTION: Thom, do schools offer scholarships for people who try out and make the
team? This situation is definatley not about the scholarship and I would be
completely happy if I just made the team I was just wondering.

Answer
Kevin, yes you can get a scholarship as a walk on.  You may have to be enrolled and paying for your first year, but can be awarded scholarship for the reamining years.  That would depend on the level of college and how many they had left to offer.

Thom Brooks