Want to Play High School or College Football in the States? Follow These Steps.
Many American football fans believe there is an enormous talent gap that separates Americans from the rest of the world. But with the influx of international players on college (and NFL) rosters, that false perception is starting to change. Tons of talented, young players live outside of the States, but they don't always have the proper guidelines to earn a scholarship.
Here is a blueprint to facilitate that.
After speaking with the founders of Gridiron Imports and Podyum Preps, I have created some helpful steps for young international players to consider while meandering the path towards playing in the States.
Passionately pursue academic excellence. Having multiple offers and bad grades is like having a pocket full of Monopoly money at the mall - there’s not much you can do with either. The better you can do academically, the wider you can cast your net. The wider you can cast your net, the better chances you have for scholarship opportunities. Be a true student-athlete and swing open the gate of opportunity.
Game film is highly preferred, but not compulsory. Your actual game footage will always be the best indicator if you have what it takes to earn a spot at the next level. But not every club has someone to film every game (or maybe they do, but the quality is very poor). Fear not. Virtual combines and workout videos have become the trend to help players get seen by American coaches. To ensure maximum exposure, some players are using professional services like Podyum Preps, which creates an entire recruitment game plan to get players into college.
No money, no problem. Directly contradictory to the opposite phrase, if your family isn't loaded with cash there are still plenty of options for you. While being well-off financially is certainly helpful, several scholarships exist for families that don't earn a considerable income. Take the stereotype of "only players with money get opportunities" and throw it in the garbage.
Character references matter. The most successful sporting organization of all time, the New Zealand All Blacks, famously selected players with a "high work rate, strong body movers, guys that were unselfish and had a sacrificial mindset. They selected on character." In other words, it's not only about talent. Be aware that American coaches will call your coaches and ask about your work ethic, what kind of leader you are, and if you've had any trouble with the law. It's up to you to determine how your coach responds to that.
English doesn't need to be perfect... ...but you need to surpass a baseline. Of course there are several apps and tests to improve your comprehension and grammatical knowledge, but a good place to start is to familiarize yourself with American English through various media platforms. Watching a movie on Netflix with the English captions, streaming an NFL game to get accustomed to additional American football terminology, or listening to a sports podcast are great ways to increase your English level in an easy, natural way.
Understand the age range. Sixteen and seventeen years of age is the sweet spot for placement in American high schools, while eighteen is a natural fit for postgraduate or college placement. Rarely do high school opportunities exist for those under sixteen, or college opportunities for those over nineteen. There are of course exceptions to every rule, but understanding the standard age range is important.
Ask yourself if you really want this. You probably just glossed over that and subconsciously reacted with something like "Pffft. Of course I really want this." But do you really want this? Moving to a foreign country to play a sport is not all sunshine and rainbows. Being away from your family for an extended period of time is much easier said than done. Leaving the friends you grew up playing with behind is emotionally challenging. An indescribably difficult work load (academically, physically, emotionally) awaits you in the States. Are you sure you really want this?
Be okay with the fact that you might not end up at the Division 1 level. One of the most frustrating things I see on social media regarding recruiting is the hype and infatuation with "going D1" (which usually refers to the FBS level). And don't misunderstand me - getting a scholarship at the FBS level is a major achievement and something worth celebrating. But you can have a terrific college experience at the FCS, DII, DIII, and NAIA levels; Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, Shannon Sharpe, Kurt Warner, and Terrell Owens all played at those levels. Shoot, even Tom Brady's left guard in Tampa Bay (who is also a team captain and is on a $55 million contract) played at an obscure Division III school in upstate New York. Opportunities exist everywhere.
Make connections. A lot of times in recruiting, it's about knowing the right people. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram make it easy to follow certain programs, coaches, and other players and connect with them in an appropriate way. Liking, following, commenting, and retweeting are all twenty-first century approaches to networking. Engaging with the right people won't give you a scholarship, but it will certainly increase your visibility.
Stay ready. Since 2017, Gridiron Imports has held showcases in Germany and Mexico throughout the year, which means you need to be physically and mentally ready during the season and during the off-season. You never know who might be watching, so always being prepared and at the top of your game is a key component to increase your chances of being seen, scouted, recruited, and offered. Always be prepared.
People are starting to take notice that exceptional talent exists outside of the 50 states, but just because talent exists, doesn’t mean the scholarship pathway is easy. In order to put yourself in the best possible position to earn a scholarship, start to familiarize yourself with this list. This is surely not an exhaustive list, but it's a good place to start on your journey towards American football.