What Should I Be Doing by Grade Level to Get Recruited?

Each grade level requires a different approach to the recruiting process:

Freshman Year:

Focus on developing skills, strength, and conditioning. Weightroom has to be emphasized.
Start gathering film from games and training.
Keep grades up—academics matter early.

Sophomore Year:

Begin reaching out to college coaches and attending college camps in spring/summer
Create a highlight film and start posting on HUDL/Twitter.
Take visits to schools of interest and post updates.

Junior Year:

Start attending specific school camps and combine events in spring/summer
Maintain frequent communication with coaches.
Focus on dominating varsity-level competition.
Take SAT/ACT and maintain a strong GPA.

Senior Year:

Keep film and highlights updated.
Secure offers and finalize your decision.
Attend official visits and continue performing at a high level.
Sign a National Letter of Intent in December or February.

What Are the Best Camps to Attend Over the Summer?

The best camp you can attend is a college camp at a school where you are interested in playing. If you want to play at School X, attend their camp—this is where their coaches will evaluate you.

Recommended camps for exposure:

⚠ If you receive an invitation to a specific college camp from a coach, attend it—but do so within reason and in consultation with your high school coaches.
Unless you project as a national recruit, traveling across the country for a West Coast camp may not be the best use of time or resources. Start local. If schools in your region aren’t interested, it’s unlikely a school outside the region will offer you a scholarship.

Is NCSA Helpful?

NCSA can be a useful tool for exposure and learning about recruiting, but it is not necessary to get recruited. Many athletes succeed without it by using HUDL, Twitter, and direct coach outreach.

What Does a Scholarship Offer Mean?

A scholarship offer means a college is willing to provide financial aid in exchange for an athlete’s commitment to their program.

⚠ IMPORTANT: Until student-athletes sign a Letter of Intent in December or February of their senior year, NOTHING is binding.

Division 1 & Division 2 Schools: Offer full or partial scholarships.
Division 3 Schools: Do not offer athletic scholarships but provide financial aid packages.

Types of offers:

Full Scholarships – Covers tuition, room, board, books, etc.
Partial Scholarships – Covers a portion of costs.
Verbal Offers – Not legally binding until a National Letter of Intent is signed.

Does a Prep School Offer More Than Bishop Hendricken?

Prep schools may offer:

An extra year to develop.
Larger facilities.

However, Bishop Hendricken has an extremely strong football reputation. We pride ourselves on preparing athletes to play at the next level. College coaches frequently visit our school and interact with our program.

⚠ High school or prep school coaches cannot get anyone a scholarship—it is earned through the steps outlined above.

If, after graduating from Hendricken, you are unsatisfied with your options, a postgraduate year at a prep school is always an option.

Does Reclassifying Help an Athlete Get Recruited?

Yes, but it depends. Reclassifying at a prep school (repeating a grade) can help by:

Giving more time to physically develop.
Allowing an athlete to compete at a higher level longer.
Gaining additional film against stronger competition.

⚠ Reclassification is not always the best decision.
Example: In your junior year, there may be only 25 elite players at your position nationwide. If you reclassify, two years later, there may be 45 elite players at your position. This creates a more competitive market, making recruitment harder.

What Are Some Physical Attributes That Make Me More Likely to Get Recruited?

College recruiters look for:

Size and frame – Height, weight, wingspan, hand size.
Speed and agility – 40-yard dash, shuttle time.
Strength and explosiveness – Bench press, squat, vertical jump.
Game IQ – Ability to read plays, make adjustments.
Work ethic and discipline – Coachable attitude, leadership.

Basic Guidelines for Division 1 Scholarships by Position:

Position

Height

Weight

40-Yard Dash

Bench Press

Squat

6'2"

207 lbs

~4.70 sec

~300 lbs

~395 lbs

6'0"

210 lbs

~4.40 sec

~280 lbs

~390 lbs

6'0"

190 lbs

~4.40 sec

~300 lbs

~395 lbs

6'5"

280 lbs

~5.00 sec

~320 lbs

~450 lbs

6'4"

240 lbs

~4.70 sec

~300 lbs

~395 lbs

6'3"

270 lbs

~4.80 sec

~345 lbs

~455 lbs

6'2"

235 lbs

~4.60 sec

~325 lbs

~430 lbs

6'0"

195 lbs

~4.50 sec

~300 lbs

~395 lbs

These are general guidelines—many athletes who don’t meet these exact numbers still get recruited through hard work and high-level play.

What If I Think I Am Too Good to Play D3 Football?

That is a misguided assumption. Several D3 players are currently in the NFL, and many more have been invited to NFL camps.

If you go to a D3 school and produce on the field, you can enter the transfer portal and move up to a D1 program. Many colleges now treat lower divisions as a minor league system and prefer recruiting from the transfer portal over high school athletes.

Can I Just Walk On at a D1 Program?

Unfortunately, the walk-on process has changed. The NCAA has cut roster sizes to 105 at most D1 schools. Many schools now fully fund all 105 scholarships, effectively eliminating walk-ons.

Bottom line: Go to a school that wants you. If you perform well, you can transfer up.

Why Do I See Athletes Posting Online That They Have an “Offer” to a Specific School?

Unfortunately, the term "offer" has been misused and misunderstood. In reality, an "offer" can sometimes mean nothing more than an invitation to a summer camp, a game, or a practice.

While I can only speak for our program and our athletes, I encourage you to be clear and honest about what you post online. College coaches talk to each other, and they know when athletes exaggerate.

That said, if you or another athlete believes they have received an official offer, please let me know so I can help confirm it for you.

⚠ Important Reminder: Until an athlete signs a National Letter of Intent during their senior year, an offer is not official or binding. Additionally, if a college coach leaves, the offer may no longer be valid.

Someone Claims They Can Get Me a Scholarship to a Prep School—What Should I Do?

If someone is claiming they can get you a scholarship to a prep school, follow these steps:

Get It in Writing – Ensure the scholarship offer clearly covers tuition, room, board, books, and all fees.
Understand Financial Aid at Prep Schools – Most prep schools in New England offer need-based financial aid, not athletic scholarships. This process is very similar to what we use at Bishop Hendricken, where families must complete an application online, and aid is awarded based on financial need.
Check the School's Policy – Many prep schools publicly state that they do not offer athletic scholarships. For example, one well-known prep school in New England states directly on their website:
“We do not offer athletic scholarships.”
Know the Cost – The annual tuition at many prep schools can be as high as $70,000 per year. Make sure you and your family fully understand the financial commitment before considering this option.

Twitter is the Best Social Media Platform to Network with College Coaches – What Should My Profile Look Like?

A Twitter (X) profile for college football recruiting should be clear, professional, and informative. Your profile should immediately tell college coaches who you are, what position you play, and how to contact you.

Profile Information

Use your real name – Avoid nicknames or unnecessary symbols.
Include your graduation year – Example: John Doe | Class of 2026
Location & high school – Example: Bishop Hendricken HS (RI)
Position(s) played – Example: QB | WR | LB
Height & weight – Example: 6’2” | 205 lbs
GPA & academic info – Example: 3.8 GPA | SAT/ACT Score (if available)
Recruiting rankings (if applicable) – Example: #5 Ranked DB in RI
Contact information – Include your HUDL link, NCSA profile (if applicable), and DM availability.
Coach Croft’s contact – croft.keith@gmail.com

Profile Picture

Use a clear, high-quality picture of yourself in your football gear.
Keep the same profile picture across all social media platforms for consistency.
Avoid using group photos or casual images—this is your first impression on coaches.

Highlight Video

Pin your best highlight video to the top of your profile so it’s the first thing coaches see.
Keep it short and impactful – Coaches typically watch the first 30-60 seconds before deciding whether to continue.
Showcase your best plays first – Grab their attention immediately.

Other Twitter Best Practices for Recruiting

Follow college coaches and football programs you are interested in.
Regularly post training videos, game highlights, and updates.
Engage with content – Retweet offers, camp invites, and college football news.
Keep your content positive and professional – Coaches will check your posts.
If a coach follows or interacts with you, send a direct message introducing yourself.

Don’t You Think I Need to Leave Rhode Island to Have a Better Chance of Being Noticed?

There is no evidence to support this claim. Players from our school have gone on to achieve success at every level of football, proving that exposure and opportunity are not limited by location.

We have produced six modern-era NFL players, including a Super Bowl champion and a first-round draft pick.
Three of our former players are Division 1 coordinators at the college level.
Five players have competed at the highest level of Division 1 football.
Over 100 Bishop Hendricken alumni have played college football.
We have had a Division 3 All-American and multiple players named team captains at their respective college programs.
Current players on our team have already received six Division 1 scholarship offers.
Our alumni include a Division 1 national champion and numerous others who have earned academic recognition at the national level.