This week, I want to pull my focus off of just football and recruiting for a moment, and talk briefly

and concisely about your life. One of the most stark and sad realizations that I made during my time playing college ball is that I often forgot, the guys I played with often forgot, and everyone around us definitely forgot to enjoy the ride that we were on and remember that we are young only once. In the next month, I will move across this vast, startling country. Florida to Wyoming. 2500+ miles. I am leaving behind a family that I could not ask more from, a childhood that I will never be able to quite experience again, and the securities offered in a familiar Do you plan to play football on the next level place. because that is what is expected? Despite my newly minted "education", my attempts at the ever expansion of my knowledge base, and having already lived on my own for three years, it is conspicuously real that I will be leaving my childhood behind with this new move. For three years, I lived roughly eight driving hours from home. In November, I will live 48+ driving hours from home. My driving time from where I lived these past three years to home will turn into the flying time to home from where I'm going. That's scary. That's unknown. For many of you, you're only a few months away from making a similar move. Only months ago, I was at a stage of life that saw me 'performing' in front of multi-thousands of people, excelling in my scholastic achievements, and doing the things a recruit associates with "making it". I walked away from that. I walked away from all the perks. I walked away from the spotlights, and the attention. I knew I had multiple dreams bigger than the dream of playing college football. It took more than a year for me to come to the decision to leave the game I loved to play. But, there was and is a burning desire in me to live more, and playing ball did not provide the opportunities to go and live that I'm looking for. I know I know there are guys out there who have no real interest in playing college ball, but they do it because their parents want them to, or because football is all they have. I know because I've either felt a reason like this or I've talked to guys who have suffered with problems like this. I want to make sure that someone tells you that its alright to do something else other than play college football. You don't have to go off and play. You don't have to do something you don't really want to do. With that said, find an alternate way to fund your college experience. There are scholarships of all types for merit,
I'm headed to Wyoming, because that is what I've always wanted to do

gender, race, degree preference, etc. I understand that for some, the only way out of your town is to go play college football. I know. That's how it was for me. But, don't be afraid to explore your options, and if it comes down to football being the only way, that's a life decision you need to make. But, understand that there are other options for your life. You didn't get to where you are today by sitting around and not doing anything with your life. I've given up the security and benefits of staying in my comfort zone. I have given up guaranteed schooling, paid meals, paid living; almost everything paid. I dreamed of moving to Jackson Hole, Wyoming the whole time I was playing ball. I saw my brother doing it, and I thought, "That's what I need to be doing." Now I'm doing it and couldn't be happier!

Let's talk about the 40-yard dash, shall we? This is the most important, worthless drill that any recruit ever performs. Got it? This drill is extremely important! This drill really holds no water. What's the point here? Much like with the rest of the recruiting process there are so many tangibles to be considered that one drill will not make or break your evaluation by a coach. That said, if your 40-yard dash is near 4.3 - 4.4 as a skill player, your going to be turning heads, grabbing attention, and demanding looks. If you're an offensive lineman, and you're around 5.0, you'll be doing the same thing. Linebackers, I'd say 4.5. Defensive linemen, around 4.8, give or take. If you're what is probably a larger number of recruits that have not reached as low of numbers, don't be discouraged. As much as this drill has worth and can really vault you ahead with attention, it is not the sole deciding factor in your recruitment. I used to sit around and be worried about my 40 because it wasn't the fastest. I didn't want to go to combines because I knew they would time my 40, and it would hurt my recruiting stock. There were times when I would not do certain drills at a combine, such as the 40, because I knew it would alter the way coaches looked at me. That was a tightrope to walk, as they always wondered why you didn't do this drill or that drill. But, as they say, "No news is good news." It is true, if you 40 is simply too slow, it will be a good sign that you're not collegiate level talent. That's just the truth. But, often times, a "bad" 40 time can be balanced out by on-the-field instincts and good weight room numbers. Some guys are extremely fast or just have great acceleration running in a straight line. That doesn't make them good football players. There are some football players that may not be so good in the 40, but they can straight get to the football, or make the key blocks when they have to, "bad" 40 or not. When speaking to a recruit, no how to play to your strengths. Maybe you shouldn't even mention your 40 time if it is not good. Maybe you share a decent 40, but really point out how many tackles you had a year and you instincts to making the big plays. Then, you give them your film, and hope it shows that.
If you aren't a skill position player, how important is the 40?

The 40-yard dash is not going to keep you from going to college to play football. It can certainly help, and at times, can certainly hurt. If you're a good player, with a decent 40, you don't have to be overly concerned with making those top-line numbers like a 4.3. Just watch college football to see a large amount of big time recruits, with the big stats and fast numbers, fail to succeed in the college ranks. Then you can look and see guys that with 1 star or 2 stars, or no stars, come in and become the best players on the team. Recruiting is a complete package. Don't worry your mind TOO much over the 40-yard dash. Just keep playing your game, and the recruit in you will show on the field!

In 2007, I walked onto the campus of Troy University ready to take a position on the offensive line whatever way possible. I had the confidence in myself and the bravado to boot. I was inexperienced, but I had heart and drive. I went through summer workouts, got in as good shape as possible, and prepared my mind for the rigors of the camp ahead that August. I tried to learn my plays ahead of time. Some came quickly, some I didn't get down until a year or more later. Seems that the number system for left and right for the Power player is a lot tougher to remember than I would have liked to let on. It was a recurring mishap that plagued my mind because I knew 27 was left and 28 was right. Yet, when the play was called, my body would turn left or right, and I'd run smack into the other pulling guard. It was embarrassing, at least. Through it all, I had made the "travel squad", the lucky few who travel to away games, for the opening game of the 2007 season at Arkansas. That was until game-week when it was decided that I would redshirt.

It was tough to accept a redshirt, as I knew I would not be playing in a real game until at least that next fall. That's hard to accept as a competitor and someone who's played in every game since their sophomore year, much like most recruits coming into college. But, I soon came to realize that my coaches knew I needed time to develop my body, and I used my redshirt season to build more muscle, get in even better shape, and get used to living the college football life.

FSU's Clint Trickett is redshirting this year to get stronger and learn the offense

What Makes Me A Redshirt?

A "redshirt" is a player who is designated to sit out a year in order to play another year down the road. Often, this practice is used on freshmen coming into college needing more time to develop, a junior college transfer that has potential, or more rarely, an injured player early in the season. For example, if you are redshirted as a freshman, this is how your five years breaks down: Year 1 - Redshirt - You can do all team activities such as practices, workouts, travel, dress, and meetings. You cannot play in games. Year 2- Redshirt Freshman - Technically you are a freshman now, according to the NCAA. You will be referred to as a freshman from here on out, even though you've been with the team as a college freshman for one year already. You are free to be a full-fledged member of the team and play in all games. Year 3 - 5 - You will be denoted as "Redshirt" followed by your class according to the NCAA. You may graduate in your 4th year of school, but you will still be referred to as a "Redshirt" Senior in your 5th year of play.

In the Football Championship Subdivision, you are allowed five years to play four years from your first collegiate practice. If you do not redshirt, you have only four years to play four years.

For example: Redshirt - 5 Years With Team = Play 4 Years No Redshirt - 4 Years With Team = Play 4 years Either way, you are only allowed four years to actually play in games for your school. Next week, I will delve into the pros and cons of redshirting and talk about the powers you do and do not have in the redshirting decision process

This week, I want to pull my focus off of just football and recruiting for a moment, and talk briefly and concisely about your life. One of the most stark and sad realizations that I made during my time playing college ball is that I often forgot, the guys I played with often forgot, and everyone around us definitely forgot to enjoy the ride that we were on and remember that we are young only once. In the next month, I will move across this vast, startling country. Florida to Wyoming. 2500+ miles. I am leaving behind a family that I could not ask more from, a childhood that I will never be able to quite experience again, and the securities offered in a familiar Do you plan to play football on the next level place. because that is what is expected? Despite my newly minted "education", my attempts at the ever expansion of my knowledge base, and having already lived on my own for three years, it is conspicuously real that I will be leaving my childhood behind with this new move. For three years, I lived roughly eight driving hours from home. In November, I will live 48+ driving hours from home. My driving time from where I lived these past three years to home will turn into the flying time to home from where I'm going. That's scary. That's unknown. For many of you, you're only a few months away from making a similar move. Only months ago, I was at a stage of life that saw me 'performing' in front of multi-thousands of people, excelling in my scholastic achievements, and doing the things a recruit associates with "making it". I walked away from that. I walked away from all the perks. I walked away from the spotlights, and the attention. I knew I had multiple dreams bigger than the dream of playing college football. It took more than a year for me to come to the decision to leave the game I loved to play. But, there was and is a burning desire in me to live more, and playing ball did not provide the opportunities to go and live that I'm looking for. I know I know there are guys out there who have no real interest in playing college ball, but they do it because their parents want them to, or because football is all they have. I know because I've either felt a reason like this or I've talked to guys who have suffered with problems like this. I want to make sure that someone tells you that its alright to do something else other than play college football. You don't have to go off and play. You don't have to do something you don't really want to do. With that said, find an alternate way to fund your college
I'm headed to Wyoming, because that is what I've always wanted to do

experience. There are scholarships of all types for merit, gender, race, degree preference, etc. I understand that for some, the only way out of your town is to go play college football. I know. That's how it was for me. But, don't be afraid to explore your options, and if it comes down to football being the only way, that's a life decision you need to make. But, understand that there are other options for your life. You didn't get to where you are today by sitting around and not doing anything with your life. I've given up the security and benefits of staying in my comfort zone. I have given up guaranteed schooling, paid meals, paid living; almost everything paid. I dreamed of moving to Jackson Hole, Wyoming the whole time I was playing ball. I saw my brother doing it, and I thought, "That's what I need to be doing." Now I'm doing it and couldn't be happier!

When I talk to guys going through the recruiting process right now, the biggest problem with their approach is, "My coach/parent is talking to coaches and doing things for me." It is great when you have a coach or parent that has enough interest in you to promote your name and abilities to potential colleges, but the biggest promoter of you, is you. Your parent or coach is not going to college with you, and definitely not as you. If you don't know this yet, now is the time to put your PR cap on! When I started the recruiting process, I was just happy to get one letter. It was such a great feeling getting that first letter from the University of Connecticut. If memory serves, I got that letter in the spring of my sophomore year, and remember thinking, "Alright, I really do have a chance to take this to the next level." This was the point where I began to practice the point that I made in my blog two weeks ago: You have to become your own agent. I'm not sure if it was a cognitive thought or just my personality to really take control of my recruiting process. I began to talk to guys from my high school who went to college about how they went through the process. I talked to my high school coaches who had dealt with recruiters and ones who played college football. Throughout the process, I began fielding calls and emails from college coaches and media. I went on unofficial visits, I talked at length with coaches, I replied to coaches' emails as soon as possible. Not only was I showing coaches that I could be a contributing member of their program, I was learning invaluable non-football skills the entire process. Every phone call was a job interview; some longer than others: I'll never forget the phone call that took place with former Miami and Ole Miss offensive line coach Art Kehoe one night in my senior year. Coach Kehoe and I talked for more than 40 minutes about football, school, life and everything in-between while he was at Ole Miss. Coach Kehoe is known for being a gritty, hard pushing offensive line coach, and I could sense that in his speak. I also noticed a coach that cared for his players, cared enough to speak to a potential player for almost an hour on the phone. A phone call like that requires you to be on your toes and prepared as you, the 17 year old, are being inspected by a seasoned, skilled recruiter with years and years of experience in this situation. If you allow other people to do these types of communication for you all the time, you are going to lose valuable skill points, and coaches can sometimes get tired of talking to your "representative", when they want to talk to you.

Decipher The Code Through Experience

Those "interviews" with coaches and media reporters

Visit the colleges that call you. Face-to-face conversation is important

became invaluable for me. I can't tell you how many times that I've been in real world situation like the conversation I had with Coach Kehoe. I learned how to structure my speech and think about what I was saying as to not hurt my stock. I also learned a lot about what a recruiter was thinking by the things he would say to me., or how long his email was, or if he sent a hand written letter. I began to pick up on nuances about what a coach meant by how he communicated. If he was interested, you would learn to discern it. If he was praising you like crazy, showed you a lot of attention, and talked to you for longer than a few minutes, you knew he was very interested. If he spent a few minutes with you, and made an excuse to get off the phone, you were just a routine call. Not important, but worth a call. If you stopped getting calls or emails, you were no longer a recruit in his eyes. If he took time to hand write anything, you were more important than recruits getting just word processed, typed letters or propaganda.

Promoting Yourself: Some Quick Tips

- Nice Email, If You're 13: "[email protected]" is not a good email to communicate with a college recruiter. Get serious, realize that you're a businessman now, and get an email that says, "I'm serious about this." When I realized that "Bigcrazymikey", my email from 7th grade, could use some help, I created "FMRecruit07" as my email for all my recruiting communication. - You're Live: As you start visiting colleges or coaches begin to visit you, you need to realize how you come of in face-to-face communication. Look a coach in his eyes as much as you can stand, speak clearly, and know what you want from a school. If you don't know what you want, coaches don't have a problem convincing you that you want to play for them quite quickly. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is if you're going off simply what they are saying, and not checking facts. - Look At Me!: With video editing programs on practically every computer now, there is no reason you can't teach yourself to edit. Does your school have a television production class? Do any of your teachers have experience in television? Ask questions and begin to develop your own highlight real. You can blabber on and on about how you can do this and that on the field, but, that's all talk. Recruiters want to see you play. The film doesn't lie. If your coach isn't helping you make a reel, get game film, and figure out how to do it yourself. I have a lot of experience as a producer and now a lot of tricks on how to make consumer-level editing programs work for you. Shoot an email if you have questions on how you can make your own real. Don't automatically think you don't have the tools. - Don't Wait, You Find Them: Recruiters have emails and phone numbers that can receive just as easily as they send out. Talk to people that are involved with college football and ask if they know any coaches or ways to get in touch with a college athletics department. Look on the Internet. Fill out the athletic questionnaires online. Get in touch with coaches any way you can, and let them know you're out there!

Giving Credit Where It's Due

Though I'm putting a big emphasis on being your own promotional machine, it is important to point out that my dad and mom were there when I had questions. My coaches were giving advice when I asked or they felt the need to speak up. College coaches began visiting me at the high school, and they talked to my head coach, guidance counselor and other coaches. All these people provided the compliment to my self-promotion. I did not get offers and go to college on my own. If is important to understand the there are lots of people who are helping you get to where you want to go, and you need to let them know that they are appreciated. But, taking control of your recruiting process is a valuable and can ultimately get you an offer when letting others do everything for you will not.