Coach Woodring is the new tight ends coach on the Sacred Heart University football team. Woodring is a young coach but he has plenty of knowledge on his side as someone who has spent time coaching at the Division III level with Springfield College, and helping them win the NEWMAC Conference championship in 2022. Coach Woodring offers some solid recruiting advice for recruits looking to play at the next level.
2aDays: What are some good things and bad things a kid can do when contacting a coach?
Kevin Woodring: The best thing a college recruit can do is communicate effectively. Recruits shouldn't take more than 24 hours because all recruits have phones in their pocket. Not responding to a coach promptly shows a lack of interest from a recruit. Coaches are also looking for recruits that want to be recruited, [and] a lack of response means they are not interested in the opportunity. Coaches will move on to another player if they think they are not interested in the school.
Division I recruiting moves fast, so always respond to coaches. A lot of coaches will reach out to a student through Twitter. Coaches agree that Twitter is now ubiquitous with college recruiting. A bad thing a kid can do is show immaturity on social media–coaches look at players' social media accounts, [and] if the account is inappropriate, that is a bad first impression for the coach. Recruits should remember that making the first impression with a coach is really important.
2aDays: When do college coaches start recruiting high schoolers?
KW: The answers are different for every recruit. It is common for a really good athlete to be recruited by their sophomore year of high-school. Players are different though and might develop into a great player their senior year. A player might get hurt during their junior year and only be able to play a limited number of games. [In that case], coaches are willing to wait and see their senior year tape to see if they are a viable recruit.
2aDays: How does the process start?
KW: Coaches tend to initiate conversations with recruits they are interested in. Coaches use their relationships with high school coaches to find guys that might be able to play at the top level. Coaches will reach out to the prospect if they are liked by the coaches. College coaches will reach out through text, twitter, or by phone calls.
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2aDays: What are good plays to show on a highlight tape?
KW: Show plays where the athlete [displays] their explosive power. That is one of the biggest qualities for a Division I player–they have to be tough and physical.
2aDays: Is it important to see a recruit in camp?
KW: Camps are very important to evaluate a player. [We] will invite a player to their camp if [we] think they are a borderline recruit, meaning [we] like them but are unsure about offering them. Bringing these recruits to camp is a way to see them handle coaching from a college coach. This is also an opportunity to watch the athlete compete against other guys at the camp. Camps might also be good for players off the radar of coaches, these camps are a way to make a name out of themselves. Camps also measure height, weight, bench, and 40-yard dash. These are important, but speed and strength can improve in the weightroom if they have size and potential.
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Image Credit: Sacred Heart Athletics
* Originally published on April 10, 2023, by Ryan Wiley
