Guide to Getting a Kicking Scholarship to a Wrong College

          When I was a high school kicker, I made every mistake possible in the recruiting game. Enjoy reading about my experience. Maybe you will learn something. If not, hopefully you will be somewhat entertained.
         
         This is how my recruiting process went:

1) I can kick a 55 to 60 yard field goal in practice. Which means that I am really good and that I will play for a big time college - which is what my parents, teammates and coaches tell me.

2) Like most high school kickers, my game numbers are not as good as my practice numbers - about 50% touchbacks on kickoffs, 8 field goals, punting average just under 40. And like most high school kickers, I am not as good as I think that I am.

3) I am receiving occasional questionnaires and letters from various schools. They want me.

5) My senior season comes to an end. It is somewhat quiet. No calls, no letters, no coaches. Maybe I won't go to Ohio State University after all.

6) I frantically start sending out my stats and video to every school in the 300-mile radius. I am pretty sure that some of them don't even have football programs.   

7) After turning down several "scholarship" offers ranging between $1,000 and $4,000 for schools that cost $25,000+, I decide to walk-on at a local big time college - Youngstown State University.

8) Just 4 weeks before the start of 2-a-days, I get a call from a small NAIA school who lost their kicker and are in a desperate need. I visit the school. I ignore the fact that less than 1000 students attend the school, they lost 18 games in a row, town is depressing, games are played at a high school field, academic reputation is terrible, few Majors are offered, weight room is a converted classroom, .....and I accept the full scholarship.

9) I got a kicking scholarship. I am good. My world is restored.

10)...6 months into the school year, my college experience is terrible. Football season was bad. I am bored with school. Social life is depressing and extremely unhealthy in every way possible...Is this what college is suppose to be like...What kind of life am I preparing for in this setting? It is great that I am not paying for college. But the real question is...will I be paying for this experience in some other ways when I leave college?

11) Like most people that follow my foot steps, I get the hell out of dodge at the end of the year.
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          I don't want this post to be yet another "How to get recruited" article. There is definitely enough of those out there. This is a post on how to end up kicking for a wrong school. Just follow these 5 easy steps:

1. Don't get an honest assessment from someone who knows kicking and is honest.
2. Focus on big schools only in your pro-active recruiting efforts.
3. Even when all the evidence suggests otherwise, keep hope alive, and stay the course.
4. Upon realization that big schools are not an option, contact every school possible.
5. Regardless of everything else, commit to the school that offers you the most money.

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There are no experienced athletes in the recruiting process. Everyone goes through it only once. Even parents who have gone through it before will quickly learn that each sport is different, and kicker recruiting is different from running back or linemen recruiting. Which means that every kicker and his parents are susceptible to beginner mistakes. Hopefully this blog post gave you a different perspective on the recruiting process and college selection. For more information, go to TheKickingCoach.com college exposure page.

Filip Filipovic
TheKickingCoach.com