One of the dreams for many athletes is wanting to play in college.  Thus, the question is asked if that athlete has the ability to play college athletics.

I feel the simple answer is YES!

At what level does your ability translate best to – Division 1, 2, or 3?

When you can comfortably answer that question, then you can figure out better if you feel you can play college athletics or not.  And even at that point, do you want to make the team or do you want to actually play?  All those factors go into making your decision.

Ultimately, back to the basic question I truly feel the answer is YES!  If you want to play college athletics, at the very minimum a Division 3 team will be happy to have you on their team.  They don’t have a recruiting budget so if you feel you can play for a D3 team then reach out to them.

You will still have to prove yourself.  You might make the roster, but depending on your ability quite possibly not get any playing time.  

I have had many athletes who did not have the high school career they were hoping for, go on to play at the college level.  Maybe they didn’t start for their high school team.  Maybe their playing time got diminished.  The end of the year recognition (i.e. all-state or all-league for example) was not there.

They wanted to play and found a college for them.  Just about all of these athletes competed at the D3 level.  Some competed all four years.  Some scratched their itch and quit after a couple, but were happy they gave it a shot while they still could.

If you want to compete at D2 or D1 though, you have to have a realistic idea about your athletic ability.  D1 coaches will be a lot more brutally honest about your chances then say your parents will.  They don’t want you to waste their time if they don’t see the potential in you.

That being said, as recently as this year, I have had athletes walk-on and make Division 1 college programs.  They did not get a lot of playing time if any (not including the one this year who has yet to begin her college career), but they had an incredible experience.  

These athletes though did have a decent amount of athletic talent to walk-on.  Just understand, most of us don’t see what Division 1 athletes look like on a regular basis.  You can’t assume your kid could play D1 just because you are comparing him/her to their current competition.  There is a difference, trust me.

My opinion is this.  If you want to play college athletics, I would certainly do it at least for one year.  You only get this opportunity once in your lifetime.  

If you want to go D1, then understand you need to put the WORK in.  And even then, it might not be enough to garner you any interest.  At the D1 level.  At that point ask yourself, how bad do you want to play?  Do you need to play to get into a college?  Etc.

Then start considering D2 and D3.  These schools can offer some athletic aid and still provide an awesome experience for your athlete.  They just might not be knocking down your door.  Do your due diligence and go out and introduce yourself to them.  Send your best highlights.

I guarantee you will find a college that will want you and you too can then be considered a college athlete.