It’s Not the Talent: The Real Checkpoints Specialists Must Clear to Earn a Scholarship
HOW SPECIALISTS REALLY EARN SCHOLARSHIPS
An Off the Uprights Guide for Parents and Players
I wish I could explain this in a sentence or two.
I can’t.
Because scholarships aren’t earned by one kick, one snap, one camp, or one viral clip.
They’re earned by clearing checkpoints and checking boxes.
over and over—
while college staffs are checking theirs.
Over the past few years, I’ve watched it happen.
Talented specialists in the Class of 2026 still unsigned.
No offers. Just waiting.
Kids who kicked with or against Trace.
Kids I know can play.
And I keep asking myself the same question:
What was missed?
Usually, it’s not leg strength.
t’s not talent.
It’s a missed checkpoint.
Or a box that never got checked inside the checkpoint.
So, here’s the truth, based only on our journey and what we lived firsthand.
This is NOT an official roadmap used by every college program.
This is a practical guide of checkpoints and check boxes to help you evaluate whether things are actually moving forward.
If you hit a wall, don’t panic.
Go back.
Find the miss.
Reset.
And go again.
CHECKPOINT #1: SHOWCASES & STARS
Can you compete when it matters?
Not just show up.
Not just kick “fine.”
Can your specialist live inside the top 10 at a showcase?
Not just within their class,
but head-to-head with older specialists, transfers included.
You don’t need to win every event.
You don’t need perfect charts.
In fact, chasing perfection often lands you in the worst category of all:
Camp Hero. Stick Hero.
Long setup.
Pretty ball.
But No pop. No violence. No separation.
Coaches don’t rewind pretty.
They rewind Noticeable.
✔️ Check Boxes:
Are other parents whispering, “Who’s that kid?”
Are players watching—or measuring themselves against—your specialist?
Does the charting coach’s tone change when they say, “Good” or “Ball is Good”?
If the field reacts, everyone sees it including camp directors and staff.
✔️ Win a camp if you can
✔️ Live in the top ten
✔️ Be talked about
That’s how you check enough boxes to earn the next checkpoint:
The 5⭐️
CHECKPOINT #2: ONLINE PRESENCE
(Networking, Not Fame)
This is where most families misunderstand the assignment—and parents must be involved here.
This is a partnership.
Review and polish posts together.
This is not about likes.
This is not about followers.
This is about access.
Your X profile is LinkedIn for specialists. (Keep a Clean Instagram)
✔️ Research Box:
Study team staff pages.
Follow not just the Special Teams Coordinator, but:
Analysts
Position coaches- Offense and Defense
Recruiting staff
A Head Coach is rarely following you back. That’s normal.
✔️ Profile Boxes (Unforgiving):
Clean profile photo
Clean, clear bio
10-second clips (no fluff)
Clean reposts
Clean likes (yes—coaches look)
If your page is noisy, confusing, or immature—Clean it now.
Because X opens conversations.
Conversations open camp invites.
And camp invites open doors.
Off the Tracks: The Truth About College Camp Invites
Camp invites are easy to get.
They feel special—but most are fundraisers. Let’s be honest.
I know this because:
Trace received 43 camp invites between sophomore and junior June
We spoke with 15 staff
Selected 10 camps intentionally (our boxes checked)
One camp sent a handwritten invite.
Over 150 specialists showed up.
Everyone got the letter. (Hats off—nice touch.)
But Trace had already built conversations with three coaches.
When we arrived:
He was pulled aside
Given a different jersey color
Assigned a film crew
Told by the rostered snapper:
“Show out on every ball.”
Same camp for the other 149.
Different boxes checked before arrival.
Junior-to-senior June?
78 invites.
We chose 8—because our boxes were already checked throughout the year.
Back On Tracks.
CHECKPOINT #3: COLLEGE CAMPS
This is where separation matters.
You arrive with conversation boxes checked.
Now you perform.
At this checkpoint:
Top 3 matters
Winning matters
Competing matters
But your leg alone won’t earn the offer.
✔️ Non-Negotiable Boxes:
Positive body language
Competitive edge
Encouraging others
Team interaction
Conversational engagement
Shag and Clean Up
You have hours to present:
Who you are—and why they should want you back.
The Most Important Box:
Being Pulled Aside
If you’re told to wait while others leave—check a box.
Even after a bad day:
Shake hands
Get a photo
Ask a question
Request quick feedback
If a coach asks, “Do you need to head out?”
Your answer is No.
You stay.
You talk.
You connect.
You exchange numbers.
You set the next visit.
If that doesn’t happen—you didn’t clear the checkpoint.
CHECKPOINT #4: GAMEDAY VISITS
(Parents—prepare for a long day)
Anyone can ask for a game-day visit.
I can teach you how to get to a game with an “invite.”
That’s not the box.
✔️ Real Check Boxes:
Your lanyard is a different color
Staff knows your name
They’ve watched your tape
They’ve talked to your coach
They are all greeting you by name, with dap ups and hugs.
Bonus Box:
If the Head Coach and Special Teams Coach talk to you together
and tell you to come back to the locker room after the game…
Check. The. Box.
After the game Win or lose—if you’re sitting with a coach after the game,
Checkpoint Cleared.
CHECKPOINT #5: JUNIOR DAY
This is momentum—not the finish line.
You may not have an offer yet.
That’s normal for specialists.
They’re still evaluating—and selling the program.
✔️ Boxes for Players and Parents:
Be engaged
Ask real questions
Build relationships
Prepare for an even longer day
You may need:
Another camp
Another visit
A few more months of patience
It will feel slow.
It will feel heavy.
It may get very quiet.
But if you’ve cleared the previous checkpoints—you’re close.
THE TRUTH
Is this foolproof?
No.
But this is exactly how we planned our checkpoints.
This is how we made sure our boxes were checked.
This is the road that led to Oklahoma.
This is how the scholarship offer happened for Trace.
Not magic.
Not hype.
Just intention, timing, and earned trust.
THE FINAL WORD
Scholarships aren’t awarded for talent alone.
They’re earned by showing up ready at every checkpoint
Refusing to skip steps when patience feels impossible.
If you’re still waiting, don’t panic.
Review the boxes.
Find the miss.
Reset the plan.
And get back to work.
Because the ones who stay intentional
are the ones who eventually hear the call
and get the offer.
