NFLPA educates high school athletes about recruiting process

Representatives from the National Football League Players Association addressed high school athletes from the northern Virginia area about the recruiting process Saturday afternoon in University of Richmond’s Ukrop Auditorium.

The speakers included former sportscaster Dan Eassa, Jason Belser of the NFLPA, former NFL quarterback Aaron Brooks, and sports psychologist Dr. Doug Gardner. The speakers were introduced by Danny Bonifas, Richmond’s compliance coordinator.

Approximately 75 coaches, parents and student-athletes attended the presentation, which began at noon and lasted nearly three hours.

The presentation kicked off with Eassa, who told a few jokes and otherwise outlined the program for the afternoon.

Belser spoke next and emphasized the importance of making a long-term beneficial decision in the college selection process. He said the allure of an offer from a big name sports school was enticing, but he asked students to consider their lives after sports and how their prospective college would benefit them in that regard.

“Will it be a four-year decision or a 40-year decision?” he said. Above all, he encouraged students and their parents to make this crucial decision without restricting their vision to a professional career.

Brooks, former New Orleans Saints quarterback, spoke next about his decision to attend the University of Virginia over the University of Maryland, among other schools.

“I wanted to play and my mom wanted me to get my degree,” Brooks said. He focused on the distinction between school and the football program. He said that because the average NFL career was so short, it was important to be prepared to enter a competitive work force. Similar to Belser, he stressed the individuality of the recruiting process and the most prestigious program does not necessarily equate to the best experience for everyone.

Gardner spoke after and warned the student-athletes about the reality of professional sports.

“This is a business. Learn to trust the right people,” he said. He recognized that student-athletes were being recruited earlier in their lives than ever before. He reminded them to look out for themselves and told the parents to take their children’s recruitment upon themselves and not to leave it to anyone else.

Lastly, Eassa delved into the specifics of the recruiting process, such as scholarship allocation, NAIA and JUCO opportunities and the importance of creating a positive image.

Eassa said athletes today were under a microscope because of social media and it was their burden to stay off the radar or risk losing scholarship offers. “Delete does not exist,” he said.

His main point reflected those of the speakers before him.

“If the college you’re researching didn’t offer your sport, would you still consider attending that school?” was the question he left the student-athletes to ponder. He went so far as to tell parents to “take the sport out of the equation” altogether. Eassa closed by reiterating very few athletes are fortunate enough to make it professionally, necessitating the importance of planning for life after sports and making the recruitment process reflect that mindset.

“I think we had a great turnout," Bonifas said. "The presenters did a great job and provided some great information, and that was our goal: to put together an educational session to inform the community." 

Contact staff reporter Walter Abrams at walter.abrams@richmond.edu