Recruiting can be a challenging process to navigate.
And earning a full scholarship offer can be most challenging of all.
James Vint, known as “Coach Vint” on Twitter, recently published an informative blog titled “5 Keys to Getting a Scholarship Offer”.
He draws from his experience as a recruiting coordinator and college coach to provide today’s recruits with these keys for earning an offer.
Here’s a breakdown for the five points Vint makes:
1.Be an elite player
This point is pretty simple. Vint urges that an athlete must be much better than average. Earning a scholarship isn’t easy and not everyone fits the criteria. You have to possess the talent and ability colleges are looking for.
2. Have an elite work ethic
Talent isn’t enough. Vint stresses the importance of going above and beyond on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom. No college wants a lazy player.
3. Have good grades and qualifying test scores
Talent and work ethic can be meaningless if you aren’t getting in down in the classroom. If you don’t have good grades or test scores, you won’t get an offer.
“If you want a scholarship, just passing is not enough. You have to strive to get A’s and B’s,” Vint said.
4. Measurables
These are things that are measured, like height, weight, 40-yard dash time, vertical jump and shoe size. Some of these, like height, are static and come down to genetics. But others can be improved. Vint cautions that if your measurables don’t stack up favorably to your competition, you shouldn’t expect a scholarship.
College coaches typically will not miss on size. But Vint points out that they may be willing to take a chance on a player with weaker measurables if that player is very strong in other categories.
“The better your talent and work ethic, the more of a chance a team MIGHT take a chance on someone who is missing a measurable,” he said.
5. Use social media as a tool
Social media can negatively affect your recruitment—but it can also play a positive role.
“Your Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram accounts can be a tool to get you recruited,” Vint said.
RELATED: Social media cost this star athlete his Division I scholarship—now he’s trying to educate others
He encourages athletes to have a positive social media presence by sharing highlights, supporting teammates and thanking college coaches after visits.
Following all these keys won’t guarantee a scholarship, but it will certainly help.
Read Coach Vint’s full blog here.
Original article posted here.
