The Recruit’s Playbook is written to help guide preteens and teenage boys through their journey from high school football to college football. As an alumni NFL draft pick turned D1 college football coach, author Larry Hart utilizes his vast knowledge of the sport to help guide you through 9th to 12th grade, highlighting what to do and when to do it. It is one of the first college football books of its kind, aimed to help high school athletes navigate college football recruiting. Through clear and effective information that is easy to follow, The Recruit’s Playbook helps high school athletes each step of the way.
Be the best athlete you can be. Coach Hart offers a holistic approach to being a top athlete and prospect. From setting goals effectively, prioritizing academic skills, self-advocacy, asking the right questions, building your brand, establishing an online presence, overcoming adversity, and “pro tips”―this playbook has you covered.
You can find it on Amazon or Bookshop
Why did you write this book?
First, thank you for taking the time to interview me to get to hear a bit of my story. A good friend of mine actually inspired me to write The Recruit’s Playbook while sitting around having dinner at his home. I actually was coaching his son at the time. He made the comment that, “if someone were to write a book on how to handle the recruiting process, they would help so many.” I’ve always wanted to write a book, and that moment sparked something in me to finally pursue writing my debut book. As a college football coach, I come across so many kids and parents that are uncertain about how to handle the football recruitment process, and The Recruit’s Playbook is a great tool to assist student athletes and the adults that support them in their football and academic goals. It’s especially helpful to low socioeconomic schools and students with limited resources. Knowledge/education is a great equalizer.
Being recruited as a football player can be highly competitive - how can athletes know whether or not they have what it takes?
In The Recruit’s Playbook, I discuss how everyone will not be able to play at the University of Alabama or at a big time Power 5 school (top tier program). I talk about many different recruiting scenarios in the book, and about every kid’s journey being different. Some kids will have 25-30 offers, and some won’t have any. Some kids will have to go the junior college route due to academics as I did. Others will go to lower level schools due to size. I discuss in my book exactly what schools are looking for in potential recruits. There are certain qualities from a height, weight, and Hudl film that coaches are looking for in particular. This will allow kids to get a good feel for where they stand in the recruiting tiers. I also encourage student athletes to remember that the most important point of their recruitment is the opportunity to earn a free education. Getting a full ride scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas is more valuable than walking on and taking on debt at the University of Alabama. It’s chess, not checkers!
What are some things that might surprise athletes and their families about the recruiting process?
Parents and recruits need to treat their choices during the recruitment process as a business decision, because it absolutely is. They need to understand that their son isn’t the only player they coaches are recruiting at any stage of the process. Scholarships are extremely valuable. There can only be so many players on scholarship at a time at any given school. On average, a mere 2.3% of high school seniors will go on to earn a scholarship to play college football. Families also need to understand that at any point, a scholarship could be taken and given to another player. (Coaches typically communicate this to recruits and their parents) At the end of the day, coaches are trying to build the best roster for the team’s success, so if so fortunate to be offered, choose wisely.
How can student athletes balance progress on the field with grades and other interests?
Players need to do their best to eliminate clutter. They need to focus on what matters and place their energy there. Eliminate the distractions and don’t worry about things outside of their control. I highly encourage student athletes to put themselves on a daily schedule to make sure they prioritize their responsibilities such as their class schedule, study hall, practice, time for extra film study, etc. I would have a planner to make sure I’m efficient with my time. Once everything is completed on their daily/weekly to-do list , and their business is handled , then they should feel free to go have a good time, responsibly! Also, I encourage student athletes to be forward thinking. They should make it a point to seek out potential pitfalls, and do their best to avoid and/or get ahead of them. Lastly, it’s important for them to seek opportunities to do some kind of personal development. Reading the books of successful people who have achieved great things, and internalizing things that they can be inspired by is extremely helpful. Finding ways to improve as an individual is key.
About the Author
Larry Hart is a Division I college football coach at the University of Houston, and the author of The Recruit’s Playbook: A 4-Year Guide to College Football Recruitment for High School Athletes. As a native Mississippian steeped in football and applying his skillset as an enthusiast, all-American college athlete, alumni NFL draft pick, and current outside linebackers coach with over a decade of firsthand knowledge of football athletics, Coach Hart has an experienced voice that efficiently guides readers and equips them with the tools and practical tips they need to succeed. Coach Hart has a master’s degree in communication studies, lives in Mobile, Alabama with his wife, Juliet, and dreams of making his mark as a part-time, bestselling author.
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