marine to player

Question
coach
I am 6'4'' and lean 285lbs I bench 420 squat 505 and run the 40 in 4.8 I was the most dominate player at my position and they are right or left guard mostly quick guard for pulling and linebacker blocks I also long snap and played center when ours got hurt I play d end and linebacker I have quick feet I have done soul searching and I do think that I can walk on to any school in the country and play maybe not my first year but if I was red shirted and gave the opportunity to learn more about the game I could play with the best that might sound conceded but I will think this way till I get beat and I will still come back for seconds  
schools that I have sent my package to are
Ohio state  replied with letter
Notre dame replied with letter but they don抰 want me
Cincinnati
Kentucky
Indiana
Purdue
ball state
and smaller d 2 schools around the same area
and a few d 3 schools
coach I have been in a desert for four years and for four years thought about the smells the sounds the lights all the great things that go with this game and I will not quit I know that there are allot of guys that can run a 4.8 40 and allot of them are bigger than me but I know that if you line them and me up in front of each other I will give them a fight of there life I will not quit until I get what I want

thank you so much coach
cpl Chris lane
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Dear coach

My name is Chris lane, and i am a 22 year old marine in 29 palms California. My question is, i have been playing football all my life including while in the marine corps. I have sent a package to about 35 schools that i would like to go to to play ball and get an education. I would like to know how i get these schools to take me seriously and what i need to be doing to get myself ready to play.  I lift twice a day and i work on footwork in the evenings jump rope and footwork drills along with a normal marine workday. i also play basketball Saturday and Sunday. what do i need to do book wise and football wise to get on the team.

thank you cpl lane
-----Answer-----
Chris -

Thanks for the question.  Well, your dilemma is a hard one.  I will tell you what I tell every single person who asks me that same question. Colleges look for the absolute best players in the country, period.  Football in college is the NFLs minor league, so the caliber of players, as you probably know, are extremely high.  So the first thing I would say to you is to do a no-nonsense self evaluation.  How good are you REALLY?  Could you walk out there right now and compete at the college level?  You didnt mention what position you play, your height, weight, speed level, or experience, so it is hard for me to judge anything at this point.  But one thing I can say is that there is a standard you should think about no matter the above mentioned physical characteristics.  You played most recently for the marines right?  Were you the most dominant player out there at your position? Not on the team, but in the league?  If so, you are on the correct track in thinking.   If not, again, you will have to do some real soul searching as to if this is a realistic dream.

Here is what I would like you to do.  Go ahead and write me a follow-up to this response.  Give my as many details about yourself as you can.  Height, weight, experience level, positions played / position you would like to play, 40 yard dash time...everything you can think of.  Also include some of the schools you have sent packages to.  Once I get that, I will respond with what I think is the best route for you to try.  As anyone who has written with me before knows, I am a straight shooter, and I will give you the best, most honest advice I can.  As a marine, I am sure you appreciate that.  But dont just forget about writing back.  I will be waiting to hear from you again.

Best wishes

Coach Perl

Answer
cpl Lane -

Thanks for the follow up!  It will really help me assist in your efforts.  Well, from first glance, it sure sounds like you are big and strong enough to compete at the Div. 1 college level.  6'4" 285 running a 4.8  40 yd dash is well in the range of off. line, guard, etc..  And with your weight lifting stats, you should be in fine.

So here is the tough part of the response.  How to get a college to look at you.  AS you know, there are thousands of players just like you looking for a spot on these teams, who have the same physical attributes you have.  Why would a coach pick you?  Well, there are really 2 main keys that will help in your quest.  First is to somehow get the coach of the school youd like to attends attention.  Try having someone act as a manager of sorts for you (unpaid obviously).  Maybe a family member you trust, or a good friend.. Have them continuously contact these schools / coaches, making sure that they know your name at all times.  Second is to make sure you have a good highlight film made, so that coaches can see how you play in real game situations.  Doesnt matter how big or strong you are, they want to see it in action.

Here are a few more helpful hints.  Make sure the schools you applied to are academically acceptable for you.  Also, try to check into the programs you like, and see how they are at the positions you play for the next few years.  If one school has a number of young skilled lineman, and another is lacking in that area, put a little more effort into that program.  Play the odds game well, and your chances will go up.  

Last but not least, dont rule out going / starting at a smaller school (Div 2 -3) or junior college, then transferring to a D-1 school later.  A lot of big time players got their start that way.  It isnt looked down upon, and is a great choice for someone in your situation if need be.

One more big piece of advice. You mentioned you were a good long snapper.  That is big!  It is like being a good catcher in baseball.  Coaches are always looking for long snappers, especially ones that could play other positions well.  So make sure and push that when you contact schools.  It could be a great way in the door.  Once you get in, the avenues will open for other opportunities.  Just get in the door, and you should be good to go.

Please feel free to get back to me with anything else you might need.  At the very least, I would like to stay updated on your progress.  Good luck and I wish you the best in your quest tp play college ball.

Coach Perl