am i able to play, any tips on workout

Question
I was just wondering if there was an age limit to play college football. I played a little football in high school and joined the military right after. I'm getting out soon and want to get back into football. If so, do you have any tips on getting back into a good football shape. I'm doing my own workouts, but I don't feel that they are the workouts that I should be doing to get ready for football.

Thank You

Answer
AJ
Generally there are no age requirements unless you plan to play at the D-1A (BCS) level, if so the magic age is 25 ears old.  There are some other factors such as whether you played organized football (club, semi-pro, military, etc) after high school as that starts the 5 year clock.  If you want to play at the NAIA, Div, III, Div. II or Div 1-FCS (1-AA) level you should be fine.  I recommend that you contact the coach at the school where you want to attend and let him know of your interest and ask for advise from him.  This will help you through the admissions process, it will help you know whether the coach is interested in you and what your chances are of making the team, it will also allow you access to the school's compliance officer who can give the proper NCAA registration/clearinghouse forms to file.

As far as works outs go, each team's strength and conditioning coach gives their athletes an off season work out. I suggest you get this from the school where you will be attending.  In the mean time, I recommend you hit the weight room hard and start running as well. Make sure you are medically cleared from your doctor to workout and to play.

Running: stretch well!!!!!
2 mile run under 16 min 3xweek
10-20 100yrd sprints 3xweek [time yourself work on time/speed]
10 50yrd sprints every other day (don't worry about time)
10 40yrd sprints 3-5xweek work on time

2-10 240 yard run 2 times per week. Start at the endline run to the opposite endline and back (240 yards).  Give yourself 60 seconds to rest then run the next 240 yard run.  Start weeks one - three with 2 reps.  time your self.  You should complete each rep between 35 sec. and 45 sec.  Don't advance beyond 2 reps until you can do this.  When you can do 2 reps under 45 seconds, then the following week add another rep and so on...until you can run 10 reps under 45 seconds with 60 seconds rest between reps(your "target time" should be under 35 seconds).  Again make sure you are cleared from you doctor to do this.  It should take you 3 to 4 months to build up to 8/10 reps under 35 seconds.  You will be working on speed and conditioning with this.

As for weights, a full workout of all muscles groups is necessary including core training.  Plymetrics are also important. This is outside my expertise so I recommend you contact the coach at the school where you will be attending or want to attend and ask for their workout sheet.
Best of luck.

Most importantly, THANK YOU FOR SERVING THIS COUNTRY AND KEEPING US SAFE AND FREE. GOD SPED,