It's not impossible, especially if you're talking about a junior college or a Division 3 team. It was perhaps simpler to make a college squad without much football experience in previous years, but the game has become more sophisticated, even for players in "non-skilled" positions. An example is an offensive guard who functions primarily as a center or a linebacker -- he doesn't need to be able to play multiple positions well, since there are other players on the field who can do that.
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about how college football has evolved into such a complex sport is that coaches have found ways to maximize their talent at every position. They recruit players who are likely to fit what they want to do offensively or defensively, and then they use technology and strategy to put those players in the best position to succeed.
For example, coaches now spend lots of time and energy trying to figure out how to use the size advantage that some big men give you on defense, so they will often put together teams that include several players who can handle the ball. This makes sense because if one of these men isn't able to protect the ball, his size can be an issue against more agile opponents. The same thing applies to players who are skilled at using their hands against defenders who have thicker skins.
In addition, coaches are also very creative at finding ways to get the most out of their less experienced players.
With the exception of those highly specialized jobs, entering collegiate football with no experience would be incredibly tough. Colleges provide walk-on opportunities every year. The majority of these athletes are extremely experienced high school players who were not granted scholarships. Some make the team as freshmen while others spend several years waiting for a chance to prove themselves.
There are two types of walk-ons: preferred and non-preferred. Preferred walk-ons are assigned specific positions on campus based on their grade point average and/or test scores. These students will most likely get a shot at one of the open spots, especially if they have talent but lack experience. Non-preferred walk-ons are placed anywhere on the roster; there's no guarantee they'll even make the team. However, these are often former high school stars who aren't considered top recruits so there's a good chance they'll land on someone's radar screen and make the offer list each year.
Colleges that don't offer scholarships generally have much smaller rosters than schools that do. This is because many non-scholarship players don't receive any financial aid and are thus out of money after paying for tuition, room and board.
The largest scholarship football program in the country is Texas Tech. In addition to offering full rides, the Red Raiders also give out partial grants.
It's doubtful, but not out of the question. You can go to college football tryouts, but you will most likely be outplayed by players with greater experience. You should contact the football coach at the institution you are attending to find out when the tryouts will be held and what the requirements are.
The best place to find out what it takes to be a college football player is by looking at the stats. There are several ways to get involved in the sport without actually playing the game. For example, there are coaching positions available at all levels of football, from pee wee through college. Also, staff jobs on campus, in sports information offices, and in other institutions where coaches work for income. Finally, there are scouting roles; coaches and administrators need people to evaluate high school players and make recommendations about who should be invited to try out.
College football is a very popular sport at every level. If you're interested in trying out for a team, you should do so as soon as possible because space is limited. Invitations to camps and trials usually aren't given out beyond the first week of May.
The best way to get into college football is by contacting the coach at the institution you'd like to attend and asking what types of positions are open and how you can apply.
However, unless you are a genius who can sprint or catch like a top-level player regardless of experience, you would not be able to walk on to the squad at the highest levels of college football. Anything is conceivable. Kicking could be your best bet, especially if you're a soccer player. You might also have success with the punt return role.
The bottom line is that if you aren't experienced, you won't make it at the highest levels of football. However, there are ways around this problem. If you're looking for a path to the NFL, for example, then you should consider joining a professional team as a rookie. In other words, start at the lowest level possible and work your way up through the system.
This strategy will get you on the field quickly while giving you a chance to prove yourself. If you don't make the cut in your first year, then you have another opportunity next season to do so. This process can only help you build confidence and earn respect from your coaches and teammates. Eventually, these connections will lead to higher-paying jobs down the road.
There are many paths to follow in order to reach your goals. Just make sure that you find one that's right for you. If playing football is in fact your dream, then you shouldn't look further than finding a way into the game. No matter how long it takes you to reach that goal, it's worth it in the end.
You also don't want to confess that college football players don't play as a sideline to their college education. That would be the most significant step toward recognizing that college football isn't actually about college at all, and that the student-athletes who play the game aren't really students at all, but cogs in a billion-dollar machine.
Sign up for a tryout with one of the NFL teams. NFL teams often hold tryouts twice a year. Compete and perform well at the audition to pique the coaching staff's interest. Perform admirably in the workouts and scrimmages assigned to you. Demonstrate that you know how to play the game and that you can do well at it.
NCAA Prerequisites To play collegiate football, a player must meet the National Collegiate Athletic Association's academic criteria (NCAA). So, while the NFL has no established academic requirements, the NCAA determines what education is required to become a football player.
The majority of all-state high school football players are not talented enough to play in Division 1 football. Assuming you have excellent strength for your size, being bigger makes you less of a pure athlete. Even guys who aren't regarded excellent college athletes were incredibly athletic in high school. College football is a physically demanding sport. If you can't handle the physical demands of the game at the college level, you won't be able to handle them on the field in the NFL either.
In addition to size issues, there are also skill issues that prevent most high school football players from playing Division 1 football. You need to be able to run patterns, catch passes, and block well in order to play division one football. In general, high school players don't do well enough at these things to keep their teams interested in recruiting them.
However, there are cases where high school players do make it into college programs. Players who are big, strong, fast, and can jump really high come in pairs and triples sometimes. There have been cases where high school players have been recruited by colleges as stand-alone recruits because they were so good at running with the ball or making plays after the catch. Sometimes these players end up becoming stars for their schools. Some famous examples include Barry Sanders (Michigan), Marcus Allen (Penn State), Eric Dickerson (USC), and Emmitt Smith (Florida State).
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