How to get better at football and get recruited by a major college.

Question
I am currently a freshman in highschool.  Last year I played J.V football for my DIV 4-A Highschool.  The outcome of our season wasnt too grand.  My school's varsity has not had more than 3 wins a season in 7 years now.  I believe my school has the talent and athletism to win but not the determination or inteligence.  On the other hand in our region we played 6 teams that were ranked in the top 25 of our state.

I am 6'3 and 230.  I play offensive and defensive line.  I really like offensive line but I am in my opinon under-sized for the job.  My stats in the weight room could use some help,  230 bench.  410 deadlift.  185 clean.  290 squats (Im horrible at them.)

I would really like to play college ball but NO recruits ever come around our school.  I do not know what or how to get interest for recruits.

It is the off-season and I am in the head coaches off-season football class.  Our season ended in Novembor and I have been lifting and conditioning ever since.

We just got a new head coach last year, he is in our states Coaches Hall of fame and won 10 state champions but he hasnt had much football success over the past 3 years.

I want for us to win a state champion ship by my senior year for my team-mates and myself.  We work as hard as anyone.

What Can I do to have a shot at being recruited?  How can I get better?

Any suggestions or inferences you can make would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Keith.

Answer
Keith -

Well, it is really a simple answer to your question.  It isnt the "area" that gets recruited in most cases.. It is the player!  I dont care if you live in the most remote city in the US, if you play well enough, and make it known that you are available, they will get to you..

First things first.  You have to be an outstanding football player.  Only the absolute best of the best go to major Div.1 colleges.  SO you will have to be by far the dominant player in that area to even have a shot.  IF you have that ability, then you can take the next step.  That step is to market yourself as if you were a product.  Game films, highlight videos, yearly stats (certified by a coach or media outlet, not by you), grades, etc.  No matter how good you are, if they dont know about you, it does no good.  

Players make the mistake of thinking they cant contact a school.  They believe the school must contact them!  Its very wrong info!  Most recruits are the ones who initially contacted the coaches, and once they saw that player, began recruiting them..  So when it is time, and if you have had the necessary success on the field, put a list of schools youd like to play at together.  Make a PROFESSIONAL LOOKING packet and send it out.  Follow up on them constantly! IF you are good enough, and get your name out there, it might work.

Think of it this way..  There could be a restaurant in a city that has the best food in the state.  Great service, wonderful food, and great prices! But if no one knows it is there, would it do business?  NO!!  Not because it isnt fantastic, but because nobody knows about it in the first place!

Get the football work done, and see where you are at.  IF you end up being that good, and are still interested in playing in college..Go from there with the marketing .

Best wishes

Coach Perl