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COVID-19 and How It Has Changed the Face Of Recruiting

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We get tons of questions on how can I get recruited?  With the COVID-19 pandemic having everyone on the edge and temporary shutting down college camps, visits and other means of recruiting it has certainly made the recruiting process different.

What everyone needs to understand is this is a temporary situation.  Eventhough it has gone on for several months and there are those out there trying to use it as a means to get parents and players to panic, there is light at the end of tunnel of this pandemic.

Not all prospects are the same and their recruiting road is different so taking ones eyes off of everyone else recruiting and concentrating on yours will need to be your first step.

It is so easy to get caught up in the hype and posting of others saying they received an offer from XYZ College and wonder Am I behind in my recruiting?  That is normal, even without the pandemic, that we find ourselves in this thought process right now.

November and December of this past year college programs could see that there could be concern for the spring season for many high school programs so they began an all out search for prospects to evaluate.  This process went on through the spring with analyst from college programs combing all over the country looking for student athletes.  Many schools contacted head coaches to get their prospect list, some schools sent out instructions on “How To” combine videos so that prospects could send in a Camp Time Combine Video for college coaches to review along with their resume and game highlights.  It was a full time adjustment and adaptation to what would be called the “New Normal” in recruiting.

To say this hasn’t impacted the 2020 and 2021 Senior Class the most would be an understatement but it has actually effected everyone. This would be a life lesson that everyone from the player, to the high school coach, to the parent, to the college coach will remember and carry with them forever.  Learning how to adapt, overcome, create and problem solve has never been more important then during this pandemic as far as the recruiting process.

College coaches are not “sleeping” on recruiting — if anything, it’s only become a bigger priority for them.

HERE ARE 10 WAYS TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE THE CURRENT SITUATION AND GET RECRUITED:

#1- Evaluating Film and how you play – Since they can’t come out to the school’s and aren’t on the road now there has been more time to pull and evaluate film then ever.  Your highlights and camp combine videos are your biggest tool right now.  Creating a Combine/Camp Style Video is very simple and can be done with help from a family member or relative. Check out Penn State Virtual Video Steps for help with learning how to create the perfect Combine Camp Video to send to college coaches for free:


#2- Put together you Student Athlete Resume.  Check Out this link for help -> https://recruitlouisiana.com/student-athlete-resume-your-profile-what-does-it-say-about-you/

#3- Set your expectations and goals.  Write them down and adjust as needed to maximize your potential.

#4– Stay In Shape, Follow your workout routines using precautions to protect yourself against the virus.  You don’t have to be in a large crowd to do your workout.  It can be done safely in a safe area.  Set up your workout routine and video parts of it so that coaches can see that you are continuing to take care of your body and skill set during the time away from the football field.

#5-  Talk with your parents, zoom/facetime with your coach about the importance of your recruiting process and work out a schedule so that they can help guide you through the pressure that you may feel during this time. Ask yourself the hard questions: What do I want in a school or program? Start researching programs – distance, academic program, playing time, path to starting job, conference competition. What 2-3 things do you really need to be happy at a program?

#6- Now is a good time to break ties with negative influences in your life — be less available and start reducing your communications and interactions and grow apart during this time.

#7- Stay in contact with coaches and your teammates to keep the positive vibes going 

#8- Beware of social media dangers.  Now is the time that many prospect have more time to be on social media.  A good reputation and high character are big to college coaches and what you tweet, retweet, like etc is a reflecting to what your standards are or can be perceived to be.  It is not necessary to constantly be posting videos and highlights over and over tagging multiple coaches (spam tagging).  Many college coaches will assign you a recruiting coach or have an coach assigned to your area, find that coach and then dm the coach or email the coach your film, student resume and a brief explanation of why you are interested in getting to know more about their program. Let your hardwork and actions speak for themselves.  An old motto: work hard in silence, let success be your noise Verse: Don’t brag about yourself let others praise you. Proverbs 27:2

#9 – Make sure you social media profile is up to date – Hudl link working, Real Name, Coach’s Name, High School Name, Measurables (Height, Weight, 40 time), GPA/ACT/SAT

#10- Be vigilant and communicate with college coaches, even if you’re not too interested in the program. One of the things we have always talked to players about is doing their 40, no this is not running the 40.  Make a list of 40 schools between each division.  10 D1, 10 D2, 10 D3 and 10 NAIA that you are or may be interested in.  Do some research on the schools and find the recruiting coach for your area.  Send out your resume, hudl and also workout/combine video to these coaches.  Take the vitual tours, fill out and respond to questionnaires, return phone calls. Don’t burn any bridges! If you did the first 40 and do not get a lot of response find 40 more schools.  It may take a bit but with a little work a majority of players, who have the ability to play at the next level, find the right fit for themselves and their family.

-Jo Eddlemon, Content Provider Recruit Louisiana

Email typos or corrections to recuitlouisiana@gmail.com

Recruit Louisiana

Jo Fleming Eddlemon is a Graduate of Northeast Louisiana University (ULM). She was born and Raised in the Boot. Content editor for Recruit Louisiana, Correspondent for Tigerbait.com, Member of the Louisiana Sports Writer Association, LSWA and Association for Women in Sports Media, AWSM. She received her experience from time working in the Sports Information Office at NLU during college and also as a former writer, scout, analyst for the Varsity Preps group and former XOS Digital. She is all about showing you the best players in the Boot and the surrounding Southern Region. Moto: God, Grades, and Grind

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