The College Football Recruiting Process for Placekickers, Punters, & Long Snappers (2024)

THE RECRUITING PROCESS

“How do I get recruited?”

Realize that academics are # 1. Often, the first question a college recruiter will ask me is….”Can I get him accepted?”…. You can’t play if you don’t clear the NCAA Eligibility Center’s or NAIA’s requirements. Coaches look for solid student athletes. They are wary of players that may become academically ineligible or need constant academic supervision. If two players of equal ability are being recruited for the same position the best student will be chosen in a heartbeat.

Seek out the very best coaching possible for your position whether it’s a coach on your team, National Kicking Service, or another reputable program. Become a student of your skill. Train hard and smart. Be efficient in your workouts on the field and in the weight room. Always have a plan and stick with it. If possible, find a training partner(s) in your skill and train together as much as possible. Always training alone in a vacuum deprives a player of outside feedback and the camaraderie of the position.

Obviously, exceptional performance is necessary to showcase your skill. Recording those performances clearly is of the highest priority. That leads us to the next section.

Making Game Highlight Videos

Most high school and junior college football programs these days are fairly sophisticated in recording game video. More and more are using the HUDL program to optimize all aspects. There are others. Game video will follow the full length of the all snaps, punts, and kickoffs. Sometimes it will not show the entire length of a FG, extra point or kickoff. In that case it’s necessary to have someone else record the kicks as professionally as possible.

Remember, this is a highlight video, so include only the very best. If your school does not use the HUDL or similar program, ask your coach for help in putting it together. It’s good to have a few “position plays” on the video such as a solid tackle, running with the ball, an onside kick, etc., but don’t get carried away.

Making a Charted Video

Quality charted videos have helped many players in the NKS program receive full scholarships or opportunities they would never have had otherwise. They are especially important if a player does not have sufficient opportunities on the field to exhibit their talent for a number of reasons. Here’s how to do it:

Long Snapping – The camera should be on the field facing the side of the long snapper so that the snapper and holder/punter fill the screen. Use an experienced holder and punter. Start with 10 consecutive punting long snaps from 15 yards. Keep the camera going. Chart the times and accuracy. NKS uses an accuracy measure of: #1. On Target (in punters extended hands), #2. Within 10 inches of punters hands, #3. Off Target (more than 10 inches from punters hands).

Next video 10 consecutive placekick snaps from 7 yards. Keep the camera going. Chart the times and accuracy. NKS uses an accuracy measure of: #1. On Target (in holders target hand), # 2. Within 5 inches of holders target hand, #3. Off Target (more than 5 inches from holders target hand). The placekick and punting charts may be done separate and on different days. Here are some parameters for upper level high school and junior college long snappers. The times and accuracy would be less for younger or less experienced players.

Field Goals – It would be great to kick 10 consecutive 65 yard FG’s on video. Here’s another format that college coaches are very receptive to. The distances are for an upper level high school or junior college kicker. They would be shorter for younger or less experienced players. Record the kicks from the press box or high up in the stands. Most importantly, keep the camera going through the entire set. A “best of”set of kicks is far less impressive. Use only the very best footballs available. You’ll need one or two helpers to retrieve the balls and return them to the next spot. Snaps and holds are not required. Use your mechanical holder. Kick from the center of the field.

• Hit 3 to 5 FG’s from mid-range (35 yards)
• Hit 3 to 5 FG’s from medium long range (45 yards)
• Hit 3 to 5 FG’s from long range (55-60 yards)

Make all of the kicks if possible. One or two close misses can be OK if the kick has the distance. If the set is not representative of your true ability then try again. Most kickers will try 4-5 sets to get the right one. Come back another day if your leg is tired.

Kick Offs – Hit 5 consecutive kick offs for maximum hang time and distance. It’s OK to include a pooch kickoff and an onside kick. They may be recorded separately. Here are some parameters for upper level high school and junior college kickers. The distances and hang times would be less for younger or less experienced players.

Punting – Hit 10 consecutive punts for maximum hang time and distance. Use a quality long snapper from 14 yards if available or an athlete who can toss the ball to you from 8-10 yards consistently. It’s best to use a “referee’s toss” with the throwing hand on the outside of the ball. Mark the appropriate distance for the line of scrimmage behind the toss. Again, record the punts from the press box or high up in the stands. Here are some parameters for upper level high school or junior college punters.

They would be less for younger and less experienced players.

** Hand to foot speed all divisions: 1.0 seconds ability

Bring the camera down on the field for 3 hand to foot speed punts. The camera angle is to the punting leg side and slightly behind the punter. Hit 3 punts for hand to foot speed. Coaches at all levels desire the punter to have the ability to get the ball away in 1.0 second or less when necessary. The camera should follow the ball downfield. Minimum distance for these punts is 35 yards. Remember, it takes most punters a number of attempts before they get the desired chart.

Guidelines for Videos

• NEVER send out a video that’s not representative of your very best performance. It’s better not to send one at all. Be patient with the charted videos. It’s a lot of work.
• Make the charted video in good weather conditions with little or no wind, dry, and 65 degree plus temperatures. For players in northern climes it’s best done in the summer.
• Show the very best of the videos first whether its game highlights or part of the charted video. Get their attention.
• Make the charted video on an artificial turf field, if possible.
• If using an unmarked grass field clearly mark off the yard lines using cones. Do not use trash cans, towels, etc.
• Use the best footballs available
• Find reliable helpers who will take what you’re doing seriously.
• ALWAYS KEEP THE CAMERA GOING. If the chart isn’t looking like what you want then start over.
• It’s OK to use a one or two inch block for charted field goals except after senior seasons.