10/28/2026
🏈 GET YOUR KID RECRUITED! LESSON #1: GRADES MATTER!
Athletic ability may get your college-bound athlete some attention, but GRADES unlock the keys to the kingdom!
Parents, if you've got a kid dreaming of playing college football, I need you to hear me on this one!
College recruiting has changed dramatically over the last few years.
Between the transfer portal, eligibility lawsuits, and changing NCAA rules, our high school athletes aren't just competing against other teenagers anymore.
They're competing for roster spots with grown men who already have college experience!
About 18 months ago, we attended a football camp where UWA Head Coach Scott Cochran made a statement I'll never forget.
"If you have a 4.0 GPA, and a Senior, I wanna talk to you. Otherwise, thank you for attending."
OUCH!
That was heartbreaking for my junior athlete to hear after years of working toward the opportunity to speak with college coaches.
But there was a valuable lesson in that statement.
YOUR CHILD HAS TO BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE BESIDES ATHLETIC ABILITY!
Strong grades can open doors to academic scholarships, merit-based financial aid, and opportunities that football ability alone cannot provide.
This is especially important for athletes who aren't quite D1 size!
Division II, Division III, and NAIA programs offer tremendous opportunities, but their scholarship and financial aid structures are different.
Did you know D3 schools don't offer athletic scholarships? Yet many athletes receive substantial academic and need-based financial aid!
My own Big Red is proof that you don't have to fit the traditional D1 mold to find a college football opportunity.
He's a 5'11" offensive lineman with a 4.3 GPA, and he's committed to play football at Grinnell College while pursuing an outstanding education.
We didn't get there on football ability alone!
Now consider this.
🏈 More than ONE MILLION students play high school football in America.
🏈 Only about 8% go on to play NCAA football.
That's a whole lot of kids chasing a limited number of opportunities!
So parents, don't just invest in camps, trainers, equipment, and highlight videos.
INVEST IN THOSE GRADES!
Encourage your athlete to aim for that 4.0. Take challenging classes. Build good study habits. Make academics just as important as Friday nights.
A 4.0 doesn't guarantee an offer, but strong academics can give your child more options when recruiting decisions are made.
Remember, the ultimate goal isn't just to get your kid on a college football field.
It's to help them earn a college education and build a future long after the final whistle blows.
We've learned a LOT during our nine-year football journey, and I'm going to share those lessons right here on Cleats & Calves!
Sincerely,
Big Momma ❤️🏈
