Football Recruiting
The complete playbook — the process, the measurables coaches check, the calendar, rankings and eligibility.
Latest Football Recruiting News
Cal turns to homegrown recruiter Tosh Lupoi to reset its football program
The Golden Bears hired Tosh Lupoi as head coach on Dec. 4, 2025, bringing a former Cal player and assistant back to Berkeley to lead the program’s next era.
Cypress Ranch Mustangs 2026 Season Preview
by Head Coach: William Blaylock (3rd season; 18-7 record) Last Season: 10-3; 7-0 in district (Lost to Waxahachie in regional semifinals) Cypress Ranch reached the third round of playoffs for the first time since its 2014 state runner-up finish a year ago. The Mustangs very nearly had more in the tan
High school football: Where did every five-star quarterback go to high school since 2000?
2026 California Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings
Katy Mayde Creek Rams 2026 Season Preview
6A Katy Mayde Creek Rams 2026 Season Preview by Adam Ogburn August 7 Katy Mayde Creek Rams Head Coach: Mike Arogbonlo (3rd season; 9-11 record) Last Season: 4-6; 3-5 in district Returning Lettermen: 27 (6 returning starters on offense; 2 on defense) Mayde Creek Key Players and Storylines Mayde Creek
Start Your Own NFL Flag Football League Organization
How do I start an NFL FLAG league? We're looking for highly motivated league organizers that are mission aligned to grow the NFL FLAG program. We review the amount of leagues in a particular area, and require every new league organizer to complete a background check as part of the approval process.
GAME PLAN: 2026 Transfer Portal Window – The Final Whistle
GAME PLAN: 2026 Transfer Portal Window – The Final Whistle COACHING PERSPECTIVE: Just like a two-minute drill, the 2026 college football transfer portal window operated under intense time pressure. The 15-day sprint from January 2-16 compressed what used to be split across multiple windows into one
Proven. All-State. Eddie Smith Is HIM at MSJC.
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Let's talk about something that doesn't make sense. Eddie Smith (@iiknoball) just earned All-State honors as a linebacker at Mt. San Jacinto College. He's a second-year player who turned himself into one of the best backers in California JUCO football. And he's still waiting for
Breaking Down the Blueprint: A Coaches View of the 2027 Class Elite
Breaking Down the Blueprint: A Coach's View of the 2027 Class Elite By D. Allen | Recruiting Analyst GAME PLAN After two decades on college sidelines, I've learned one truth: recruiting rankings tell you who's talented, but film study tells you who's going to win. Today, we're going inside the tape
The Real Deal: Why Jayden "JayWill" Williams is the Under-the-Radar DB College Coaches Need to Know
The Real Deal: Why Jayden "JayWill" Williams is the Under-the-Radar DB College Coaches Need to Know By Coach R. King Let me tell you about a kid who gets it. I just sat down with Jayden "JayWill" Williams, a 2026 defensive back out of Randle High School in Richmond, Texas, and within five minutes I&
The Blueprint: Inside the Mind of an Elite High School Center Leading a Championship Run
The Blueprint: Inside the Mind of an Elite High School Center Leading a Championship Run By Coach R. King Listen up, parents and players. You want to know what separates championship teams from everybody else? It ain't the highlight reel plays. It ain't the star running backs or the quarterback with
Josh Brown: Cal Poly's Answer Has Been in Plain Sight All Along
Josh Brown: Cal Poly's Answer Has Been in Plain Sight All Along Sacramento State's Co-DC Embodies Everything the Mustangs Need to Return to Relevance By J. Hall • TheRecruitRumor.com The Cal Poly football program sits at a crossroads. With Paul Wulff's departure now official, the Mustangs find thems
BREAKING: Ohio State Lands Elite 2027 OL Brody McNeel — Buckeyes Strike First in Big Ten Arms Race
BREAKING: Ohio State Lands Elite 2027 OL Brody McNeel — Buckeyes Strike First in Big Ten Arms Race GAME PLAN: Why This Early Commitment Changes Everything Championship offensive lines aren't built on Signing Day — they're built years in advance. Ohio State just landed the first domino in what could
Everything you need to get recruited in football — how the process works, the measurables coaches actually check, the recruiting calendar, and the academics that keep you eligible.
The Recruiting Process
What Coaches Weigh
- Film first — coaches evaluate your tape before anything else
- Position value and scheme fit drive offers
- Verified size, speed and testing numbers
- Academics and NCAA eligibility
- Character, coachability and references
- D-I FBS85 fullHighest level, national exposure, full rides
- D-I FCS63 (equivalency)Scholarships can be split among players
- D-II36 (equivalency)Partial aid, often stacked with academics
- D-IIINone (athletic)Academic and need-based aid only
- NAIAUp to 24Flexible eligibility, real opportunity
- JUCO (NJCAA)VariesDevelopment runway and a transfer path to D-I
Measurables That Matter
- 40-yard dashSpeed — the first number skill coaches check
- Vertical jumpLower-body explosiveness
- Broad jumpPower and burst off the line
- Bench press (185 reps)Functional upper-body strength
- Pro-agility / 3-coneChange of direction and bend
- Height / weightPosition size thresholds
- QB6'2"+, arm talent, quick release, decision-making
- RBVision, contact balance, sub-4.6 speed
- WRSpeed, hands, route separation
- OL6'4"+, 290+ lbs, feet and length
- DL / EDGEFirst step, bend, length, motor
- DBFluid hips, recovery speed, ball skills
Recruiting Tips by Division
Hit the camp circuit and lock in verified numbers early.
Contact coaches directly — partial aid stacks with academics.
Lead with grades; academic fit opens the door.
A great, overlooked path with flexible eligibility.
A development year and a clear road to D-I.
The Recruiting Calendar
Build the junior tape that earns offers.
Email coaches, build your list, register with the NCAA.
Coaches evaluate; spring practice film matters.
Camps and combines — earn offers in person.
Perform, take official visits, narrow the list.
Early Signing Period (Dec) and National Signing Day (Feb).
Top Players & Programs
Top Football Recruits
- 1QBDeshawn BellamyKaty Prairie (TX)
- 2ATHMalachi VerretteCoastal Bend (TX)
- 4EDGEAmari OkonkwoGwinnett Central (GA)
- 6WRJaylen OkaforNorthwood Prep (MI)
- 7OTCade WhitfieldBuckeye Ridge (OH)
- 8CBIsaiah FontenotBayou Prep (LA)
Top Football Programs
- 1GeorgiaPerennial national contender
- 2AlabamaBlue-blood development machine
- 3Ohio StateElite skill-position pipeline
- 4TexasRecruiting the nation's best state
- 5MichiganTrench-built and disciplined
NCAA Eligibility Center
- 1Create your Eligibility Center accountRegister at the start of junior year.
- 2Add your sport and schoolsKeep your profile current.
- 3Submit transcriptsHave your counselor send them after each year.
- 4Test scores (if required)Send SAT/ACT scores to the Eligibility Center.
- 5Amateurism questionnaireComplete it your senior year.
- 6Final certificationRequest it after you graduate.
- Core courses16 required
- Core GPA (D-I)2.3 minimum
- Core GPA (D-II)2.2 minimum
- Timeline10 cores before senior year
- GraduationOn time, in 8 semesters
“The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.”
Build your recruiting profile and get seen by 250+ college programs.
Create Free Profile
Recruiting, decoded. Every other Thursday.
The commits that matter, the carousel moves that move boards, and the sleepers before they blow up. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.
Rankings shown are illustrative; all prospects are fictional. Guide content is general recruiting education, not compliance advice. Full rankings →