In this blog post, we want to make you more aware of the level of college in the US and what it takes to get a big Football Scholarship. Generally speaking, it’s close to impossible to give a concrete answer to what exactly it takes to secure a big deal. This is because every player has a different individual starting point in terms of athletic level, position, academic background, skill set and financial background. In addition, all coaches in the US have their own requirements and views on what they need on their team and where they would invest their scholarships.
BUT! We’ll give it a try anyway by looking at the trends from recent years.
What does it take to get a big Football Scholarship in the USA?
There are over 1,200 colleges across three leagues where you can play football, which means the levels vary greatly. As teams don’t move up and down in college leagues, the top 50 men’s and women’s teams in NCAA Division II can often be better than the 100 lowest ranked teams in NCAA Division I, etc. This can be compared to the Danish DBU licensing system, where the best U19 division clubs can compete with or even beat the lowest ranked U19 league teams.
Gry Thrysøe played for Aab in the Women’s League as a 6th player before receiving her scholarship to NCAA DI top team Old Dominion University, where she is now captain.
What do coaches look for?
When coaches evaluate players for their teams, they typically look for several factors. The combination of these factors often results in a scholarship offer.
Where did you get your football education?
If you’ve attended a football academy or elite youth division, you’re more likely to be used to a competitive environment and have a solid tactical and football education.
Do you have senior experience?
College football is often more demanding than Danish youth football. Therefore, it’s a plus if you have experience from the senior ranks. Senior experience can also accelerate the maturity of players who have made the step from youth to senior.
What position do you play?
Just like in the professional world, in college there are some positions that are in higher demand. These positions fall into three categories based on demand:
Category 1: Striker, left back, left central defense.
Category 2: Forwards, defensive midfielder, offensive midfielder, right center defender.
Category 3: Right back, box-to-box midfielder.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t go if you play in a category 3 position. The most important thing is always the level of sportsmanship, but in some cases this may mean you have fewer offers to choose from.
Do you have unique sporting skills?
Coaches are often looking for the best overall package, but core competencies can make it easier to stand out. For example, do you have exceptional speed, are you better than average in the air, or are you good at set pieces? These skills can make you more attractive to coaches in the USA.
What is your high school GPA?
Even the best academic colleges can often get you in through the athletic department if they think you’ll make a big impact on their team. However, the process at NCAA schools tends to be easier if you have a GPA of 7 or above. A high GPA can also get you academic scholarships in addition to athletics, which can improve your financial package or make you cheaper for the school to recruit.
Our talented 6, Sebastian Mourier, made his debut for Viborg FF, and played one season for Jammerbugt in the 2nd division before receiving a full scholarship in NCAA DI
Levels compared to Danish football
Here are some concrete examples of what different college levels in the US correspond to in Danish football, based on the players we have helped over the years.
Men’s players in the 1st (debut player/rotation), 2nd (rotation) or 3rd division (regulars) and top teams in the U19 league:
These players often end up at the very best schools in NCAA Division I and typically receive 80-100% scholarships. These college teams are similar to the good teams in the Danish 2nd division or the bottom of the 1st division.
Men’s players in the Danish league, top of the U19 division or middle/bottom teams in the U19 league:
These players often get good scholarships (typically 75-100%) at more average ranking schools in NCAA Division I or better ranked schools in NCAA Division II and NAIA.
Men’s players in the regional series, Series 1-2 or lower youth series:
These players often end up with scholarships of around 50-70%, often in the NAIA, NCAA Division II or NJCAA.
Female players in the Women’s League:
They have the opportunity to attend the absolute best universities in the US (NCAA Division I) with 100% scholarships.
Women’s players in the 1st division or high level in the U19 league:
These players have the opportunity to attend the top half of NCAA Division I universities with 90-100% scholarships.
Women’s players in the 2nd Division, 3rd Women’s Series or U19 League:
These players have the opportunity to attend NCAA Division II or NAIA with 75-100% scholarships.
Women players at lower youth levels:
These players have the opportunity to attend NCAA Division III, NJCAA or NAIA with 60-70% scholarships.
Here are some concrete examples of what different college levels in the US correspond to in Danish football, based on the players we have helped over the years.
Men’s players in the 1st (debut player/rotation), 2nd (rotation) or 3rd division (regulars) and top teams in the U19 league:
These players often end up at the very best schools in NCAA Division I and typically receive 80-100% scholarships. These college teams are similar to the good teams in the Danish 2nd division or the bottom of the 1st division.
Men’s players in the Danish league, top of the U19 division or middle/bottom teams in the U19 league:
These players often get good scholarships (typically 75-100%) at more average NCAA Division I schools or better ranked schools in NCAA Division II and NAIA.
Men’s players in the regional series, Series 1-2 or lower youth series:
These players often end up with scholarships of around 50-70%, often in the NAIA, NCAA Division II or NJCAA.
Female players in the Women’s League:
They have the opportunity to attend the absolute best universities in the US (NCAA Division I) with 100% scholarships.
Women’s players in the 1st division or high level in the U19 league:
These players have the opportunity to attend the top half of NCAA Division I universities with 90-100% scholarships.
Women’s players in the 2nd Division, 3rd Women’s Series or U19 League:
These players have the opportunity to attend NCAA Division II or NAIA with 75-100% scholarships.
Women players at lower youth levels:
These players have the opportunity to attend NCAA Division III, NJCAA or NAIA with 60-70% scholarships.
Mikkel Gøling played in the Danish series before heading to the top of NCAA DII on a scholarship. After two fantastic years he moved on to the top NCAA DI team UCSB
Important conclusion to this blog post
It’s important to note that the above ratings are based on trends, and every year we see players who break the norm or choose a different direction due to their individual profile and situation. The most important thing will always be to create the common thread in the college game that suits you individually. If you’re curious about your specific situation, don’t hesitate to contact us – we can help you with an assessment of your options.
