Q&A for How to Become a College Football Player

Block out the haters, and just be in the game. When you play with friends on your team, you will be so focused, you will not even notice the people watching you.

Practice makes perfect. Conditioning is critical. Do lots of wind sprints. Practice cuts and breaking tackles. Practice blocking for other runners. Work on holding on to to the ball when you're hit. Work on your receiving skills. Use a football-based weight-training program focused on strength and explosiveness. Build up every muscle group.

Sure. Just try to get a 2.5 GPA or higher. Scouts love to see good grades because it shows a player's work ethic off the field.

Yes, if you are good enough to make the team.

Yes, as long as your have "eligibility," meaning you have not already played college football for a total of four years, and you have never played as a professional.

It's unlikely but not impossible. You can go to football tryouts for your college, but you will probably be out-played by people more experienced than you.

You should talk to the football coach at the college you are attending and find out when the tryouts are and what the qualifications are. Then yes, you should try out!

There are many factors into getting an athletic scholarship, but a good place to start is getting on top of your grades and getting a good GPA. Another factor is to post video of you playing online, and try to get yourself as public as possible. This way you have a higher chance of colleges recognizing you. Finally, understand the hard work and sacrifice it takes to overcome the staggering odds of college ball.

Totally. Just play your best and do your thing. Try to get the W, and you may or may not be in the highlights. Just play so you are satisfied with your performance.

Follow the steps in this article, and maybe find a personal trainer with football-specific experience. Playing at the college level is a difficult step up for most experienced scholastic players, however, so don't expect too much.

College players are not paid.

It comes down to fun. If you're having fun playing a particular position, you're probably pretty good at it, which means you can help your team at that position. The whole point of playing a game is to have fun.

Become an excellent player. You'll get scouted.

Yes, but your school may assist you.

Generally speaking, yes. The divisions really indicate the size of a school (that is, student enrollment) and the amount of money it can devote to athletics, but that usually translates to team ability.

You normally don't get scouted until you are a junior in high school, so just work on improving your skill level for now so you'll have a good chance when you're a little older.

See Play Offensive Lineman , Play Offensive Line Defensive Line or Fullback in Football and Become a Good Defensive End .

See Be a Good Cornerback .