Donte Clayborne Bluefield College
Dallas Herndon Christopher Newport
Braxton Wall Academic Scholarship Washington and Lee !
Dallas Herndon Christopher Newport
Braxton Wall Academic Scholarship Washington and Lee !
Update on 3 Salem players
- Thread starter freeatlast2013
- Start date
Other guys weighing options, may sign in the future: Alex Ramsey, Tyler Close, & Daniel Ponton.
Just FYI, no LOI's are required for DIII schools because they cannot offer athletic scholarships. NAIA is different but they distribute money around. Few get a full ride.
This has always bothered me. Big deal over little. Joe Blow goes to a DIII the same as any Football player. But kids sit there and make a press conference out of it. Preferred Walk-ons often do the same. pet peeve for me.
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Navy Jones to Bluefield College ! Going to be a fast backfield with Dante and Navy !
That will give them a couple of good players Bluefield normally doesn't get. They started playing football in 2012. They've won 4 games since.
Nope. LOI's aren't required. Big deal over little? I disagree. My child turned down full rides to D2 schools for football to attend a D3 school on a $50K a year academic ride to one of the top schools academically in this nation, ranked in the top 30 of all schools by Forbes Magazine, ranked number 1 nationally in value over Princeton, Harvard, and Yale, etc. by Kiplinger, ranked in the top 25 highest paid graduates in all of America's colleges, and in the top 20 for D3 football. Nothing to sneeze at. The boy deserved his day to sign his intent to commit to the mission of their academics and athletics. He made a smart decision.
That's a tremendous academic achievement. I would foot the rest of that bill too, which I know is still large but you make it work for that kind of kid. You should be very proud.
People look at things differently. Nothing more than an AM fax for my guys.
I think it says something about football, when you have 7 D1 or 1AA athletes last year come up 1 game short. The following year no one expects anything and there are currently 3 athletes signed to the next level and they win it all! I know there are plenty of examples that show differently, but what a great TEAM accomplishment this year by Salem. (I don't mean to denigrate last year's team either, they were very good)
I think Blake Moushegian is going to VMI ! Hwas special teams and back up linebacker and one of the captains! Not sure if he is playing football there but he signed !
Playing for a D3 school is not a given. D3 schools don't take everyone. You must earn your spot. D3 schools recruit the same as D1 or D2. These kids should get recognition for earning a spot at the next level. It's my pet peeve for people to disregard their accomplishments.
Well, there was this one website I know who ranked them second in the state in the preseason.
DIII's do not recruit in any way, shape or form as DI's. But they do recruit. Also, everyone that tries out for a DIII squad, in most cases, is on the roster and participates in all activities. They may not see the field but they all make the team.
This does not mean they are not well Coached, well organized or play bad football. They are definitely next level. Like I said, everyone makes the team. Seeing the field is a completely different story.
And playing DIII doesn't mean you're not good. London Fletcher played for DIII John Carroll College where he won the DIII Many awards. He also played for ST. Francis College. Owner of the longest losing streak in NCAA history and remain absolutely horrible. At 5'10", Fletcher was just too small for the NFL but he's a Hall of Fame caliber player.
It's funny that over the past few days, I've been watching the Dan Patrick Show and how he's been having players like Drew Breeze, JJ Watt and others read their NFL Scouting reports. Amusing to see how wrong Scouts can be.
Also, recruiting is 95% Coach to Coach relationships. Kids are not found by random Scouts attending random games. The HS Coach calls a College Coach he has a relationship with and says "I've got one". Then they take a look. There are very few "discoveries".
Best of luck to your Son. I'm sure he's a fine player.
I speak from past experience with D3 schools and recruiting.
You do not just "make the roster" if you try out in D3. That may be true in some programs, but not all. The D3's I have experience with don't even have tryouts. Budgets won't allow programs to take everyone who wants to join the team. You must be recruited. Yes, D3's visit schools and seek the best just like D1's. The difference is their recruiting budget and the ability to offer athletic funds. However, D3 athletes can get excellent academic scholarships.
I know some D3 programs that can beat D1's! I have a son who played D3. He had opportunities to join D1 programs, but he chose a D3. He knew he could play as a freshman when he was D3. The school he chose was a far better education as well. He didn't have to stress about keeping an athletic scholarship. His aid was based on academics and need. These things aren't influenced by injuries and playing ability.
You are right, recruiting is influenced by coach to coach relationships.
No, I didn't mean it like that Rod. Just saying if you asked most of the Salem faithful which team would win the title, I think the overwhelming majority would say the '14 team. (I think even more opponents would say that) There were so many great players on that team. To lose all of those players and come out with a whole new team basically (4 returning starting positions) & win it all was a tremendous accomplishment. I think Preps had them #2 in '14 as well, kudos to you for not dropping them in spite of the major turnover!
No worries, Mike. Not calling you out in any, way, shape or form.
Congrats to Salem for a magical season.
It varies greatly from one D-3 school to another. At most D-3 schools, athletics are used as a recruitment tool for the school. They use the athletic teams to get more students to the school. Especially at the private D-3 schools. They have bills to pay and need tuition paying students to help meet their obligations. Not all of them are like this, but most most are. Especially the ones that have lower academic standards. There are several in Virginia(W&L, RMC, CNU) in that don't have to use football to pay the bills. Because of this, they are much more selective in their recruiting.
That is why you will see a D-3 school bring in 50 or 60+ freshmen. Those coaches know that 80% of those kids can't play for them. But those kids will come there for a semester or two and drop $25000-$30,000 chasing some misguided notion that they can play. Frankly those coaches must have a hard time looking themselves in the mirror knowing that they are asking some kid to run up tons of student debt when they know that kid will never see the field.
Any kid that choses to play D-3 needs to ask himself if he will be happy at that school, regardless of athletics. If the answer is yes, then by all means, he should go there. But if not, then he should really take a hard look at that decision.
That is why you will see a D-3 school bring in 50 or 60+ freshmen. Those coaches know that 80% of those kids can't play for them. But those kids will come there for a semester or two and drop $25000-$30,000 chasing some misguided notion that they can play. Frankly those coaches must have a hard time looking themselves in the mirror knowing that they are asking some kid to run up tons of student debt when they know that kid will never see the field.
Any kid that choses to play D-3 needs to ask himself if he will be happy at that school, regardless of athletics. If the answer is yes, then by all means, he should go there. But if not, then he should really take a hard look at that decision.
This is one of the most accurate descriptions of DIII Football and yes, there is great variety on how programs are run. But no one should even suggest DIII recruiting is like DI. the difference is akin to flying a kite and flying an F15.
I would suggest anyone interested in a DIII school contact team members and ask. With Social Media as it is today, they're pretty easy to connect with. Then visit and make some choices.
My point is kids who play D3 football should be recognized for their accomplishments just as those who choose D2 or D1. No, they don't sign a NLI, but they do commit with non-refundable deposits and early admission contracts! 
Furthermore they have been chosen by their school! Let's celebrate these kids in the local spotlight! Here is how recruiting is the same: a coach sees a kid they want in their program and they invite them to join their team!
How come Navy Jones is going to such a small college? He wasn't heavily recruited?
