College Football...

Question

Hello!

Thanks for all of the input!

Are there any other positions that might be more realistic for me perfecting in the time frame im given?

Am I too small to be a DE?  
One would think that the defensive side of the ball would be a bit easier, as you would'nt have to worry about catching, blocking, etc...  Is this truly the case?

Are there any other positions that you think I might try and think about (even though you barely know anything about me!).?

Thanks again!

Alex


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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello Again!

I know that this whole process will be time consuming, but, as I sit here with nothing to do during my freshman year in college, I realize thats how I want it to be.  

Doing a whole lot is wayyyy better than doing nothing at all.  I've sat on the sidelines for too long.  I'm ready to be a part of it all.

The academics is very important to me as well.  I am planning  on going to dental school after I graduate.  I am a very good student and I will deffinitley keep my grades up during this process.

I just really have no idea where to get started.  I already lift, and I will continue to do so.

Also, I'm willing to play virtually any position, TE just seemed like the one for me.  If it has to be special teams... OK!  As long as I'm a part of it.

I'll take information/help you can give!

Thanks

Alex


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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello,

I know you are probably going to think this is some sort of a joke but I am
genuinely serious about this.

I have never played football before in my life.  I have thrown around a pig
skin quite a few times and I am very good at catching and decent at
throwing.

I am athletic.  I'm a blackbelt in Tae Kwon Doe and I play a lot of tennis.

I am 6' 4" tall, weigh about 260, have a large frame, and I am pretty muscular.

I have decided I am going to try and get on the Michigan State football team as a walk-on.

From what I have seen I believe that Tight End seems to be the best position for me.  Do you think this would be too hard to master by the time for tryouts in late summer 07'?  Are there any other positions you have in mind for me?

I really just want to go out and play some football (I have my whole life...).  I am willing to work VERY hard at this.

Any suggestions?  Comments?  Anything at all will be very helpful!

Thanks

-----Answer-----
Alex -

Hey there guy.  Well first off, I don't think it is a joke at all.  You aren't the first, and won't be the last guy to want to do this.  However, before we get into this, I want you to do me a favor.  Before I write anything, I need you to check my "view past answers". It is located next to my profile under "ask a question" I think.  You will find a question written by a guy named Ian, just a few days ago.  He asked the same question, and I wrote a very long, detailed response.  SO instead of just re-typing it, it is much easier to just have you check it.

HOWEVER, your situations, although similar, are not the same.  So, once you are done reading that response, I want you to make sure and e mail me back.  I do have some different info for you.  You will not be in the same situation as him specifically.  Your brute size might change alot for you in comparison to Ian, but the general idea of that response will remain the same.

What I am saying is after reading it, don't just forget about getting the info I have for you because it sounds like a tough deal.  You already know it will be tough.  That's what made you start off the question saying this might sound like a joke, right?  You will have a shot at this, and I would love to help you out.  I just believe in giving someone an honest answer to be fair.

Go ahead and read it, and get back to me ASAP!

Thanks Alex

Coach Perl
-----Answer-----
Alex -

Well big guy, it sure sounds like you have the academics part down.  And thank you for doing what I asked in reading the previous response to Ian.  You obviously can be coached, with an ability to follow directions.  So it would be my pleasure to assist you with this dream and get you going!

Alright..  The first thing you need to do is start gaining as much knowledge about the sport in general as possible.  There are many books and DVDs out there that will assist you in this.  My recommendation would be to get basic coaching books.  This will teach you about the rules and guidelines, as well as the basic formations and plays that each team will somehow or another incorporate.  Also, as you go along, you are more than welcome to write me with any specific questions you might have about something youve read or seen during your research.

You have mentioned that tight end would be your choice as a position.  I really do not know enough about your skills to tell you if that is a good choice or not.  But I can fill you in about the position, and let you decide for yourself.  Fisrt off, tight end is a very difficult position.  Why?  Because it asks the player to be a combination of two completely different positions.  On one hand, you have to be a lineman, blocking for running plays and certain pass plays.  This calls for size, strength, and blocking footwork.  On the other hand, you have to be a skilled and sure handed receiver, with the speed to beat a LB or DB, and the ability to run crisp, clean pass routes.  Most people have enough trouble getting good at one of these, let alone both!  You are the perfect size for a college TE so it is, on paper, a good choice.  

So if this is up your alley, you will need to begin a serious training program, that entails both a lifting program for strength and raw power, as well as a speed and agility program for your pass routes.  On top of those, you will need to find someone who has experience as a quarter back to throw at you.  Great hands are a must to be a complete TE, and as a walk on, the coaches won't even give you a second look unless this is the case.  

Start watching football differently.  Don't watch as a fan, watch as a coach / player.  Start taking notes each play.  What did the TE do?  How did he do it?  Stuff like that. When he does something you didn't understand, find the answer!  You seem to be well educated and intelligent.  I don't think dental school would be an option if you weren't. So you need to approach football like it is a major as well.  You will be a double major now.  Basic offensive schemes, defensive schemes, play calls, basic pass routes, and basic football terminology (there is more than you could ever imagine) must be learned to even start understanding what you will be asked to do as a player at that level.

OK, now it's reality check time.  You are at MSU.  The players there, even the last guy on the edge of the bench, warming the pine, are the top, best of the best in the world for their age.  They not only are the very best skill wise, but in most cases have years and years of experience under their belts.  So you will be at a HUGE DISADVANTAGE when going up against these guys.  Especially as a walk on.  Coaches, in general, do not take or want to deal with many walk ons.  Most of the time they don't need them, or want to take the time to teach them what a different player who has played and been successful already knows.  A lot of walk ons were all state or better in high school or junior college.  They just decided they wanted to go to that particular school, instead of a different school that may have wanted them to play there.  Coaches need results NOW to keep their jobs, and do not have a lot of patience or spare time for basic instruction.  So you will have to put in an effort that is beyond anything those guys would even dream about.  Thats just the way of the world.  Imagine if you were a dentist for 10 years, all the training, schooling, and practical experience.  Then someone says they wanted to do that too, with no experience,, classes, or training. What would your response be to that person?  Well, that is what you are up against!  So I am sure you can imagine the work you are going to have to put in to make this a reality.

Alex, it is going to be a tough road my friend.  No bones about it.  However, you were given something that most people weren't - Brute size.  The response I had you read to Ian was true for you too.  But he is 5'9" 180.  You aren't.  Coaches can teach plays, skills, all of that, but the one thing they can't teach is size.  You have that, so you are in the running here.  Football coaches are attracted to big guys - period.  I know that sounds funny, but it is true regardless.  Now you have to learn to use that size to your advantage for football.  The biggest myth about football is that it is a sport for dummies.  The truth is that no sport on earth takes more undertsanding or knowledge about that particular game.  It is, in reality, about 80% knowledge of the sport, and 20% physical skill.  A smart player will beat a dumb one almost every time.  

Well, those are my basic, initial thoughts on this.  As you start your research and training, many more questions will come up.  Feel free to write back and ask anything you want.  I will do my absolute best to get you where you would like to be.  Remember, it is very hard to give you specifics over a website like this.  I really do not know much about you so I can't get too specific.  Also, we are limited to how much we can write per response.  But I think you are ready to get started now.  

One more thing Alex.  GO TALK TO THE COACHES!  See if you can get an appointment to meet with the TE coach.  Sit down with him, and get his input.  You never know.  He might say "We really need a good TE.  Here are some things to work on and I will see you at walk-on try outs next year!"  Why not?  They are looking for players the same as you are looking to play!  I believe you can do it man!  I really do!  And I am here for you when you need me!  Get back to me and keep me updated as you go along.  Then when you are on ESPN, you can wave and say "Hey thanks Coach Perl.  I did it!"  

Best wishes

Coach Perl

Answer
Alex -

My pleasure buddy.  I undertand your feelings about trying to make the most of your time, since you have a late start to this whole thing.  And I will do my best to assist you in making a good decision.

Well Alex, in general, defense is "easier" to learn and play.  It, for the most part, is more of a "go get 'em" thing.  Defensive lineman usually have to know the basic schemes and their responsibilities on each scheme.  However, there is a lot of skill involved in learning this basic info.  I know it looks like they just go out every play and butt heads with the Off. lineman, then chase the ball carrier, but it is much more complicated than that.  They have to be aware of who they are playing, what that team likes to do, what the "keys" are for each play that team runs, and their responsibilities on each play call.   In addition, they also have to have the ability to perform all of the different moves a DL needs.  Bull rush, swim technique, inside roll, just to name a few.  SO although it may be easier to learn than TE, it isn't any easier to play.
Size wise, you aren't too small for DE.  You aren't huge for it, but not too small either.  If DE is a choice for you, I will tell you that at your size, you will need to be FAST!   DEs your size are usually the speed of outside LBS!  So that may play a part in your decision making.  A realistic 40 time for a MICH. ST. DE at 260 would be 4.60 - 4.75.  Thats pretty quick for a guy that size.

Honestly my friend, it really is going to boil down to what you want, what you feel your best chance would be, and going out and making it happen.  But I will say one thing:  Do the research I mentioned in the last response, make a choice, and stick with it.  If you waiver back and forth, you will lose out on getting 100% of either one.   Also, like I mentioned before, don't rule out speaking with the coaches!  That would be MY first move.  They might make all of this pointless by telling you what they need and / or what they think is best for you! Coaches are also well known for moving players once they get them..  They are looking for athletes first and foremost.  Once they get a great athlete, then they worry about getting them into a position they can play!  So if you do anything in the meantime, work on anything that will improve your basic athletic abilities.  That will carry a guy your size farther than someone else!

I am glad that you enjoy our discussions.  I do as well, and am here if you need anything as you go along.  Let me know what you find out!

Best wishes

Coach Perl