Coaches perspective – Showcase Series
One of the reasons we put on the Showcase series around the nation is to help high school football players get some exposure to college programs. Every year, multiple college coaches attend the showcases to run some of the drills…
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Continue ReadingOne of the reasons we put on the Showcase series around the nation is to help high school football players get some exposure to college programs. Every year, multiple college coaches attend the showcases to run some of the drills and to get their eyes on potential members of their program. During the showcase in Plymouth, Minnesota, I talked to many of the college coaches and asked them about what they are looking for in a potential recruit at an event like this.
From a recruiting standpoint, what are you looking to get from a showcase like this?
Mitchell Kleinschrodt – Defensive backs coach St. Olaf
“I like to see them in person and move in person. These camps are good because they bring everybody together. Camps like this are fun too because you get to work with them and watch how they transition some coaching points to the drill and ultimately to the competition.”
Bryan Chung – Co-special teams coach/running backs coach/tight ends coach Macalester
“When I come to these, the first thing I look at is how competitive they are and how controlled they can be. It is easy to be out of control and too competitive—to a certain extent. I am looking for guys who are disciplined enough to follow directions and bring out the juice.”
Sam Lundberg – off the field assistant Gustavus
“I want to put faces to name for guys who have not been on campus – just seeing kids that stand out that we might not be on right now.”
Derek Bakken – Defensive line coach Concordia-Moorhead
“We are looking for kids to compete – number one. We can’t unzip them and look at their heart. Measurables are great – everyone wants a 6’4 285 pound lineman who runs a 4.9 forty, but that is not going to happen. We are Division III. We are going to find that kid that is a tweener – maybe 6’1 or 6’2, maybe 220 or 230. We will get him where he needs to be physically, but what we really need, and what Prepredzone does a great job with, is getting these kids to compete. We need to see competitors.”
Adam Kiefer – retired assistant coach (12 years coaching college football offensive skill positions)
“I am looking for a willingness to step in and be hungry for those reps. I am looking for those guys who are obviously looking to get better. I am looking for the coachability piece. Everyone is going to pick up a little bit at every camp. Who can take at least one piece from a coach in a drill and apply it later in the day? Coachability is huge. If you want to be coached, you are going to get better.”
How can an athlete stand out and get your attention at an event like this?
Kleinschrodt:
“Regardless of the position, we want to see guys compete and compete at a high level when those opportunities come at these camps.”
Chung:
“The first standard would be, are you an academic fit? We rely on our players’ intelligence. We expect them to be smart and digest a lot of information. If they are able to quickly digest information here from a new coach they haven’t worked with, he is someone I would like to look at.”
Lundberg:
“We are looking for hard-nosed kids who want to get after it. Guys who can move efficiently, depending on the position they are playing. For example, defensive ends, we want to see them bend, and receivers, we want to see them attack the ball or be able to release off the line.”
Bakken:
“For my position group, we are looking for guys with big hearts who play bigger than they are physically. For the defensive line, we are looking for quick get-offs and vertical leverage.”
What should an athlete who is looking to play at the next level focus on off the field?
Kleinschrodt:
“First and foremost, he needs to stay on top of his grades and make sure he handles business off the field so he qualifies for those schools he dreams of going to. From the recruiting piece, they should make sure they keep their highlight film and contact information current and easily accessible.”
Chung:
“Do everything right – from sleeping to taking care of your grades. When you have good grades, it is going to open more doors.”
Lundberg:
“Taking care of your academics is the biggest thing they can do off the field.”
Bakken:
“We look for time management. How will they manage their time between classes, football, and working out? It all falls back to compete. They have to get up every morning and have the mindset that it is third and one – we need to stop someone and give our best effort.”
“We are looking for good character. We are looking for guys who try hard in the classroom—they don’t have to be the smartest guys in the classroom, but they need to put in the effort. If we can’t trust you in the classroom, how can we trust you on the football field?”
Kiefer:
“Classroom, classroom, classroom. Especially in the Division III realm, a lot of it is academic reimbursement. You have to be diligent in the classroom. That also goes to show your work ethic and your coachability. If you are staying on top of your grades, it is going to translate onto the football field, too.