How to be a College Football Scout

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Many people believe they have the abilities to be a college football scout. But it’s not as easy as some may suspect. Even the best ex-football players and coaches can struggle to be a successful college football scout.

National Scouting Report’s Director of Expansion, Larry Perrin, and a former college football scout explains, “football scouting is different than softball and baseball,” Perrin said. “In those sports, you have the ability to see a large number of athletes at a certain location (tournaments, camps, etc.). In football, you can do that on Friday nights at games, but most of the scouting happens at practices… you need to see if the athlete is athletic enough to play at the next level.”

Football has limited opportunity to assess whether an athlete has the abilities to play in college. It’s even more challenging if someone doesn’t know what they are doing.

Here are some skills a college football scout needs to have:

Football Credibility

It’s essential for football scouts to have credible experience either playing in college, professionally or coaching. Working in operations or recruiting also applies but armchair quarterbacks and avid ESPN watchers do not.  

“I want to see verifiable playing history at the collegiate or professional level,” Perrin said. “So, when people Google you, they will know that you are credible in the sport in which you are talking to them about. That could also be coaching experience at the high school or collegiate level as well.”

An Eye for Talent

A scout must be an analyst – one that can recognize real talent. The ability to see an athlete’s skills, desire and drive to play football is the most important skill a scout needs to have. It’s necessary that a scout can also identify an athlete’s flaws to help them grow and reach their full potential.

Discipline and Motivation

A scout’s job isn’t a usual 9 – 5. It requires self-motivation, attending games, practices and other events to scout football athletes. They must have the self-discipline to juggle finding quality prospects while working to help current athletes receive college offers.

“Fear and lazy can not enter your vocabulary,” Perrin said. “That is the same whether you are an athlete, coach or a scout.”

Good Character and Integrity

Football scouts are an extension of a coach, and they need to be sincere and genuine since they are dealing with young adults and their families. When dealing with young adults scouts need to be trustworthy and dedicated to helping an athlete reach their dreams. There is nothing more important to a college football scout than helping the athletes they are working with. 

Communication Skills

Communication is an essential skill all scouts must have. Scouts need to communicate with coaches, parents, and athletes. Without proper communication skills, scouts aren’t able to do their job or help athletes. Not everyone can play college athletics, and sometimes scouts have the be the bearer of bad news. On the other hand, they also get to help qualified athletes achieve their dreams by promoting them to college coaches. All of this isn’t possible without proper communication skills. 

Continue Learning

The recruiting process is always changing. College scouts need to continually educate themselves on new NCAA and NAIA rules, and on what college coaches are looking for in their next recruiting class.

Having all of these characteristics won’t guarantee you a college football scouting job, but it will help increase your chances. At NSR, it’s vital that we have the best and most qualified individuals on our staff.

“As with our athletes, we are very selective with what types of people we want scouting kids in the field,” Perrin said. “We want individuals who have a professional appearance, a professional attitude and conduct themselves in a professional manner.”

The forefront of NSR has always been the athletes. We want to change lives while helping them reach their full potential academically and athletically.  Athletes work hard to be successful, and NSR football scouts put in just as many hours to help athletes in the recruiting process. If you believe you have what it takes and are ready to work hard, then apply today to become a college scout at NSR!

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