In football, a solid highlight reel can make all the difference in your recruiting process. So how do you put together an attention-grabbing tape that will put you on your favorite coach's radar? Here are five tips for putting together a winning highlight tape and three things to avoid.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
Do:
- According to former Carnegie Mellon University Head Football Coach Rich Lackner, a solid football highlight reel includes three things: “Flexibility, speed, and someone who gives 100%.”
- Don't be shy–show all your skills!
- Former Endicott College Head Football Coach Kevin Dewall likes to see “athletic potential, explosiveness, and where they would fit into our schemes.”
- “Acceleration and change of direction as well as physicality and aggressiveness.”-Catholic University of America Head Coach Mike Gutelius
- University of Rochester Head Coach Chad Martinovich advises: “A recruit should choose clips that showcase his athletic ability and high effort level.”
Related: Want to Wow Recruiters? Top 5 Platforms to Help You Create the Best Highlight Reel
Don't:
- “Make it too short without enough plays.”-Yale Head Coach Tony Reno
- This one might not seem obvious but West Florida Head Coach Pete Shinnick doesn't like it when recruits “repeat the same play over or in slow motion.”
- Put profane music as background noise
So there you have it–now go out and put together an Oscar-worthy highlight reel!
Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Want to set up an interview with us? Email us at [email protected]
* Originally published on August 24, 2022, by Thomas Walker