Six Things A Former College Athlete Wants Recruits To Know Before Freshman Year

ByScotty Jenkins

3 min read

Six Things A Former College Athlete Wants Recruits To Know Before Freshman Year

National Signing Day is truly the climax of a high school career. Yes, being named to an All-State Team is certainly a great accomplishment. And claiming a state championship for your high school leaves you with a ring and lifelong memories. But, signing on the dotted line and securing an athletic scholarship to the college of your choice validates a decade of hard work and commitment to your sport.

It is a defining moment that makes every early morning practice and long night of schoolwork finally worth it.

At the same time, though, signing your National Letter of Intent is really just the beginning. Committing to a Power 5 school or securing a full-ride scholarship marks the beginning of a journey that affects much more than where you spend the next four-plus years.

Founder and CEO of GMTM, Joey Grant, wishes more athletes were aware of what being a student athlete means. The sacrifices, the stress, the distractions - all things that can step in front of what's most important. In fact, Grant made a list of a few of the things his 18-year-old self knew before starting his five-year football career at UCF.

"I received 3 Degrees(2 Masters @UCFDeVosSBM) in my 5 years playing for @UCF_Football. What I wish I knew when I started my career to maximize the opportunity of collegiate athletics:" via Twitter.

In a tweet thread Grant posted on January 11, he shared some of the most valuable lesson he learned during his time playing offensive line in the FBS. In a college career that included a Fiesta Bowl victory and two Masters degrees, Grant's example is certainly a valid one to follow.

Below are all of the tips Grant shared via Twitter, each being an excellent piece of advice to a recruit hoping to make the most of their time playing college sports:


Learn To Compartmentalize

"Separate your pursuit on and off the field. When you don't, it's easy to use your sport as a crutch for "doing enough", instead of a vehicle for opportunity."

Find Your Passion Outside Of Sports

"Your career will come to an end for you or by you. Lean into this uncomfortable truth with enough time to discover more about yourself. Don't just consume, try to create outside your sport."

Take Advantage Of The Resources Offered To You

"Programs are built to maximize your chance of success. Don't view this as an inconvenience or distraction from your sport. Treat this as aid on your journey and invest in yourself by taking advantage of what's given."

Connect With People And Network

"The harsh truth is when you graduate, no one will care who you are or what you're working to accomplish. As a college athlete, every door is open to you. All you need to do is walk through it. Put yourself out there."

Push Yourself Out Of Your Comfort Zone

"Both on the field and off the field, understand playing collegiate athletics puts you in the top 6-percent. Make your goal reaching the top 1-percent, on and off the field."

Be Kind

"There are so many people invested in the success of student athletes. Regardless of situation or mood, live in gratitude and appreciate everything you are given. Practicing empathy in a place of privilege will pay forward."

*Scotty Jenkins is a staff writer for GMTM covering college football. He grew up slowly in Nebraska in the midst of the Husker dynasty of the '90s... and has been aging rapidly ever since.

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
Recruitment Roadmap: Essential Tips & Resources for Athletes

Recruitment Roadmap: Essential Tips & Resources for Athletes

Are you an aspiring athlete looking to take your sports career to the next level? Whether you dream...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Jan 29 2024
The Recruiting Process Simplified: Tips for Athletes

The Recruiting Process Simplified: Tips for Athletes

Growing up, many athletes dream of hitting the game-winning shot. A stadium roaring with fans,...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Jan 02 2024
GMTM Launches New Recruiting Education Course

GMTM Launches New Recruiting Education Course

“How do I get recruited?" This is a question we hear from athletes all the time at GMTM. We know...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Dec 12 2023
Athlete Scholarships: Your Pathway to Success

Athlete Scholarships: Your Pathway to Success

Are you an athlete looking to unlock the path to your dreams with a college scholarship? Beyond...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Dec 07 2023
Beyond NCSA Athletic Recruiting: Get Ahead in Your Journey

Beyond NCSA Athletic Recruiting: Get Ahead in Your Journey

Navigating the recruiting landscape in sports can be difficult and complex. If you're an athlete,...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Nov 30 2023
What Do Coaches Want? Unlocking the Secrets of Athletic Recruitment for New Talent

What Do Coaches Want? Unlocking the Secrets of Athletic Recruitment for New Talent

Picture this: You're out on the field, giving your all, with the wind in your hair and the crowd's...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Nov 20 2023
Recruiting in Sports: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Recruiting in Sports: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Are you an athlete looking to uncover the keys to success in sports recruiting? Unlock your...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Nov 13 2023
How to Train for Football Combines & Camps

How to Train for Football Combines & Camps

The NFL combine is the ultimate opportunity for athletes to showcase themselves in front of NFL...

ByMathias Torp | Wed Nov 08 2023
5 Stages of College Recruiting Process

5 Stages of College Recruiting Process

The recruiting process can be compared to a funnel containing five specific stages. College coaches...

ByMathias Torp | Fri Nov 03 2023
Flag Football: Unlocking Your Path to Pro Sports

Flag Football: Unlocking Your Path to Pro Sports

Are you passionate about sports and dreaming of excelling in a new sport? Look no further than flag...

ByTiffany Allen | Fri Oct 13 2023
Recruiting for Football: The Ultimate Guide

Recruiting for Football: The Ultimate Guide

Are you a football coach or recruiter looking to build a winning team? Crucial for success on the...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Sep 11 2023
AFFL Opens Talent ID Event For Upcoming Pro Tryouts In Dallas & Three Other Cities

AFFL Opens Talent ID Event For Upcoming Pro Tryouts In Dallas & Three Other Cities

The American Flag Football League is hosting an in-person tryout for male athletes interested in...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Jun 29 2023
Sports Career Success: Tips for College and Pro Athletes

Sports Career Success: Tips for College and Pro Athletes

Sports come with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. As an athlete, pursuing a career in...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Jun 21 2023
Volleyball Recruits: 10 Tips For Acing The College Recruiting Process

Volleyball Recruits: 10 Tips For Acing The College Recruiting Process

The college volleyball recruiting process can be intimidating for high school athletes, but with...

ByOVA Team Ontario | Fri Jun 02 2023
Learn How USA Football Selects The Flag Football National Team

Learn How USA Football Selects The Flag Football National Team

The sport of Flag Football has continued to grow in popularity in recent years. The introduction to...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Jun 01 2023
College Basketball: Four Coaches Who Could Switch Jobs After March Madness

College Basketball: Four Coaches Who Could Switch Jobs After March Madness

While the games from November through February certainly count in the standings, the tilts that...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Mar 15 2023
Name, Image, & Likeness: March Madness Offers Rare NIL Opportunities

Name, Image, & Likeness: March Madness Offers Rare NIL Opportunities

For college basketball fans around the country, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year....

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Mar 07 2023
When Values Clash: Tackling the Alignment Problem for Sports Organizations and Athletes

When Values Clash: Tackling the Alignment Problem for Sports Organizations and Athletes

More than a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt Jr's injury during an amateur football game resulted in...

ByJoey Grant | Thu Mar 02 2023
How Many Scholarships Does Each Collegiate Sport Offer?

How Many Scholarships Does Each Collegiate Sport Offer?

It's time to start applying for schools and begin your recruiting process. You have been working...

ByJohnathan Wright | Tue Feb 21 2023
Five Reasons Why College Basketball Coaches Rescind Scholarship Offers

Five Reasons Why College Basketball Coaches Rescind Scholarship Offers

It’s what you have dreamed of, worked for, and waited on your whole life - a coveted college...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Feb 13 2023
Sports Injuries and Insurance: Four Facts Parents & Recruits Should Know

Sports Injuries and Insurance: Four Facts Parents & Recruits Should Know

Injuries are a major part of athletics, and a high percentage of student-athletes competing in NCAA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Feb 07 2023
New XFL Draft Picks use GMTM to be seen by coaches and fans

New XFL Draft Picks use GMTM to be seen by coaches and fans

In just under a month, the XFL will be taking yet another crack at creating a competing...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Jan 20 2023
Unlocking Billions: How World-Class Sports Organizations Manage Talent for Success

Unlocking Billions: How World-Class Sports Organizations Manage Talent for Success

What is the thing that has driven the $90 billion Sports industry? Talent Without talent, Sports...

ByJoey Grant | Thu Jan 19 2023
Recruiting Rankings: Should I Be Worried If I’m Not A Ranked Basketball Player?

Recruiting Rankings: Should I Be Worried If I’m Not A Ranked Basketball Player?

Getting ranked - it’s the ultimate goal and source of motivation for many basketball players across...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Dec 04 2022
How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

The NCAA Transfer Portal is a great platform that is beneficial to student-athletes. It allows...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Dec 02 2022
"What Is A 5-Star Recruit?": Explaining how high school basketball prospect rankings work

"What Is A 5-Star Recruit?": Explaining how high school basketball prospect rankings work

High School basketball players like Bronny James are all over TV and social media nowadays, with...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Dec 01 2022
College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

Many soccer athletes across the United States aspire to play their sport at the college level, and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 26 2022
College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

Playing volleyball at the collegiate level is almost every single player's dream as a young...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Nov 24 2022
Baseball Recruiting: Tips For How To Find A Showcase Team

Baseball Recruiting: Tips For How To Find A Showcase Team

It isn’t always easy to find a team that’s the right fit for you. It wasn’t easy for me. Some guys...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 23 2022
How To Improve Your Golf Game With A New Workout Routine

How To Improve Your Golf Game With A New Workout Routine

The potency of preparedness in winning all battles, from the most ferocious to the most trivial of...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 22 2022
Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

They’re one of the most crucial aspects to a college sports viewing experience. The players?...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Nov 21 2022
Five Ways To Boost Your Basketball Recruiting with Social Media

Five Ways To Boost Your Basketball Recruiting with Social Media

Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, GMTM, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook... Social media is a...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sat Nov 19 2022
Which High Schools In America Produce The Most Female College Athletes?

Which High Schools In America Produce The Most Female College Athletes?

It may come as no surprise to hear parents want what is best for their children. If parents have...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 15 2022
How To Play Division-I College Football: Four Requirements For Every Athlete

How To Play Division-I College Football: Four Requirements For Every Athlete

It is no secret that it is often a young football athlete's dream to play their favorite sport at...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Nov 14 2022
Is playing Division-II college sports worth it?

Is playing Division-II college sports worth it?

Being a Division II collegiate athlete was one of the best experiences of my entire life. Having...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 08 2022
Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Part two of some of the best division 1 college football game day traditions throughout the United...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

One of the best parts about college football are the traditions that have been around for decades....

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Five major benefits of playing at a large high school for hopeful recruits

Five major benefits of playing at a large high school for hopeful recruits

Quality of Competition Large high schools tend to have bigger athletic departments and budgets....

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 02 2022
Eight Football Athletes Using GMTM To Find Opportunities To Play

Eight Football Athletes Using GMTM To Find Opportunities To Play

There doesn't seem to be a clear start and finish to the football season anymore. In today’s day...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Oct 28 2022
College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

The first step in getting recruited by a college volleyball team is to take advantage of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Oct 23 2022
Transfer Portal: Does Every Athlete Who Transfers Find A New College To Play For?

Transfer Portal: Does Every Athlete Who Transfers Find A New College To Play For?

On the 15th of October, 2018 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) introduced a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 19 2022
Will Universities And Gambling Platforms Ever Join Forces?

Will Universities And Gambling Platforms Ever Join Forces?

There’s an interesting dichotomy between sports and gambling. They’re natural partners, and...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Oct 18 2022
The Four Best Quarterbacks Turned Wide Receivers in NFL History

The Four Best Quarterbacks Turned Wide Receivers in NFL History

Playing quarterback may be the toughest job in professional sports, with just thirty-two jobs in...

ByBryan Armetta | Sun Oct 16 2022
Three Tell-Tale Signs You Are Ready For College Sports

Three Tell-Tale Signs You Are Ready For College Sports

Plenty of high school athletes think they have what it takes to play sports in college. However,...

ByBryan Armetta | Thu Oct 13 2022
How Athletic Scholarships Work: A Quick Guide To Paying For College

How Athletic Scholarships Work: A Quick Guide To Paying For College

It is no secret that college is expensive, and as time goes on, the price continues to increase....

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Oct 11 2022
Johnson V NCAA: The Next Case That Can ReShape the future of the NCAA

Johnson V NCAA: The Next Case That Can ReShape the future of the NCAA

By now we are all familiar with the Alston case that shifted the dynamics of college sports, as...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Oct 06 2022
Think you can play college football? Here’s what to expect in the recruiting process

Think you can play college football? Here’s what to expect in the recruiting process

Playing college football is a dream for many high schoolers but the recruiting process can be...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Oct 06 2022
How To Run Faster: Five Best Strength Training Workouts For Track Athletes

How To Run Faster: Five Best Strength Training Workouts For Track Athletes

In order to be successful in track, athletes should devote a considerable amount of time to lifting...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 05 2022
Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Realistically, soccer coaches and managers look out for different things in soccer players during...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Sep 28 2022
Volleyball Recruiting: Nine Questions For Recruits To Ask Volleyball Coaches

Volleyball Recruiting: Nine Questions For Recruits To Ask Volleyball Coaches

Finding a good college, team, coach, and place to spend four years of your life is important and...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon Sep 26 2022