Aspiring football players dream of securing a scholarship to a top-tier college as they navigate the recruiting process. The good news is that there are around 896 football programs in the United States, with a majority of them offering scholarships to promising student-athletes. This comprehensive guide will outline the requirements for football scholarships and address the most common questions families have regarding the college football scholarship process.
n the world of college football scholarships, it’s not uncommon for teams to offer more spots and scholarships than they have available. This is because they anticipate some recruits will choose other schools, and others won’t complete all four years. To accommodate roster changes, teams offer different types of arrangements, such as:
- Redshirt: The athlete receives a scholarship but cannot compete for one year, with an opportunity to play four seasons in five years.
- Blueshirt: Similar to a redshirt, the athlete practices with the team but is not allowed to play for one year. However, the athlete must not have been recruited.
- Grayshirt: The athlete delays full-time enrollment and participation with the team for one semester.
- Greenshirt: The athlete enrolls early for a semester and participates with the team.
Requirements for Football Scholarships
To be considered for a football scholarship, athletes need to meet both athletic and academic criteria. The athletic requirements are determined by the football program of each school. Coaches use different methods to select athletes for their roster, which is why the recruitment process is vital. If you’re unsure about what a coach looks for in an athlete’s position, check out the team’s roster or ask the coach directly via email.
To compete at the NCAA Division 1 or Division 2 levels, athletes must fulfill specific academic requirements established by the NCAA Eligibility Center. The Division 1 requirements are outlined below, but keep in mind that each school may have additional admissions requirements.
To be eligible, athletes must graduate from high school and complete 16 core courses with a minimum GPA of 2.3. These core courses include four years of English, three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher), two years of natural or physical science, two years of social science, one additional year of English, math, or science, and four years of religion, philosophy, foreign language, or additional courses in any of the above categories.
Athletes need to complete 10 of their 16 core courses before their junior year of high school. They also must take the SAT or ACT and score at least 400 on the SAT (math and reading only) or 37 on the ACT (sum score). Their core course GPA combined with their SAT/ACT score must meet the minimum requirements as set out by the NCAA Sliding Scale.
The difference between NCAA football scholarships and NAIA football scholarships
NCAA football scholarships and NAIA football scholarships are two different types of scholarships available to student-athletes. The main difference between the two is the governing body that oversees them.
The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is the largest collegiate athletic association in the United States. It has three divisions (Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3) and oversees more than 1,200 colleges and universities across the country. NCAA football scholarships are offered at the Division 1 and Division 2 levels and are based on athletic ability and academic performance. NCAA Division 1 football programs are allowed to offer up to 85 full athletic scholarships, while NCAA Division 2 football programs can offer up to 36 full athletic scholarships.
The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) is a smaller athletic association that oversees over 250 colleges and universities across the United States. NAIA football scholarships are also based on athletic ability and academic performance but are offered at the NAIA level. NAIA football programs are allowed to offer up to 24 scholarships, which can be divided into partial scholarships.
Another difference between NCAA and NAIA football scholarships is the eligibility requirements. The NCAA has strict academic requirements that student-athletes must meet to be eligible to compete and receive a scholarship. The NAIA also has academic eligibility requirements but they are less strict than the NCAA’s.
Ultimately, the choice between NCAA and NAIA football scholarships will depend on a variety of factors including the student-athlete’s athletic ability, academic performance, and personal preferences. It’s important to research both options and talk to coaches and counselors to determine which is the best fit for the individual student-athlete.
How to get a football scholarship
Getting a football scholarship involves several steps, including:
- Start early: Begin preparing early by building your athletic skills and maintaining a good academic record. You can also begin to research schools that offer football scholarships and start making a list of those that fit your preferences.
- Create a recruiting profile: Build a recruiting profile that includes information about your academic achievements, athletic stats, and game footage. You can use online recruiting platforms or create your own website to showcase your abilities.
- Attend camps and combines: Attend football camps and combines where college coaches and recruiters will be present. This provides an opportunity to showcase your skills and make an impression on recruiters.
- Contact college coaches: Reach out to college coaches and express your interest in playing for their team. Provide your recruiting profile and any game footage you have available.
- Maintain good grades: It’s important to maintain good grades as academic requirements are part of the eligibility criteria for a football scholarship.
- Take standardized tests: Take the SAT or ACT and submit your scores to colleges you’re interested in attending.
- Stay focused and motivated: The process of getting a football scholarship can be challenging and time-consuming, but it’s important to stay focused and motivated throughout the process.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of getting a football scholarship. It’s important to keep in mind that the recruiting process can be competitive and varies from school to school, so it’s important to be persistent and keep working towards your goal.
