02:11 How the Game Has Changed: Recruiting Realities, Politics, and Pathways
Football 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
Release Date: 03/27/2025
Football 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
🔥 Recruiting Landscape & Strategy Parents and players are overwhelmed by showcase invites — not all are worth it. Matt and JP endorse four key events: Elite Football Combine Middle School Elite Combine KC Varsity Combine Lindenwood Mega Camp (and smaller one at William Jewell) Emphasis on having a realistic and strategic camp plan — don’t blindly chase Power 4 invites. 🧠 Real Talk: How Recruiting Really Works Power 4 schools increasingly use the transfer portal over high school recruiting. Many Power 4-caliber high school athletes are ignored, only to be...
info_outlineFootball 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
Weather Conditions & Training Adjustments Discussion on how extreme weather conditions impact football training. Importance of training in wind conditions to develop better ball control. The Cost of Youth Sports Rising costs of club sports like baseball, volleyball, and soccer. Travel budgets for top club teams can exceed $20,000 per year. Return on investment for different sports and the impact on scholarship opportunities. Recruiting Landscape & College Athletics Shift The decline of non-revenue sports due to financial strains on college programs. Schools...
info_outlineFootball 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
Weather Impact on 7-on-7 Tournaments Discussion on upcoming 7-on-7 tournament in Tennessee and potential severe weather. Memories of past Nashville tournament that was canceled due to a historic storm. Challenges of spring outdoor football events, including unpredictable weather conditions. Elite Football Combine Recap Elite 2025 Football Combine took place last Saturday with a great turnout. Top performers earned MVP awards, merchandise, and gift cards. Notable standout: Dawson Parrott (Lincoln, MO) – Small-school athlete who made a huge impact. Importance of regional combines over...
info_outlineFootball 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
Topics Covered 7-on-7 Tournament in Kansas City Matt recently returned from a 7-on-7 event in Kansas City. Well-run tournament, but refereeing was inconsistent. Issues with last-minute venue change. Kansas City’s windy conditions affected play. NFL Combine & Draft Discussion on standout Missouri prospects: Luther Burden – Performed as expected, solidified draft stock. Brady Cook – Surpassed expectations with strong athletic testing. Armand Membou – Impressive for an offensive lineman, showcased elite athleticism. Brady Cook’s combine performance: Ran a 4.59 40-yard...
info_outlineFootball 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
Weather Impact & Training Adjustments Recent inclement weather affected training schedules. Players continued to train at Elite Football to stay prepared for upcoming combines. Middle School Combine Recap Over 100 athletes participated in the event. Standout performances included multiple sub-5.0 second 40-yard dash times (laser-timed). Some 7th and 8th graders posted numbers comparable to high school athletes. Discussion on how size and athleticism start to separate at the middle school level. Athlete Development & Growth Projections The importance of evaluating long-term...
info_outlineFootball 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
Youth & Middle School Combine Recap Over 100 kids participated in the event. Players gained valuable experience in a high school-style combine setting. Several standout performances, including: Multiple players breaking 5.0 seconds in the 40-yard dash (laser-timed). Broad jumps over 8 feet, with one reaching 9 feet. Vertical jumps 25 inches+, which are high school-level numbers. The event helped players and parents understand how they stack up against competition. The Importance of Early Exposure to Testing & Competition Young athletes often don’t realize the level of...
info_outlineFootball 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
Super Bowl Recap: Discussion on the game’s lack of competitiveness. Eagles' strong execution and dominance. Jalen Hurts' journey from Alabama to Oklahoma and now as an NFL star. Recruiting & Transfer Trends: Increasing player transfers at the high school and college levels. NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and its long-term impact on recruiting. Lawsuits challenging NCAA regulations and how they may trickle down to high school athletes. High School Football Landscape: Concerns over Luther North’s coaching situation and player transfers. Key player moves, including...
info_outlineFootball 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
The latest episode of The Football 360 Show tackled key topics around high school football recruiting, college football evaluations, and the evolving landscape of talent identification. Broadcasting from Chesterfield, Missouri, the hosts explored insights and provided advice for players, parents, and coaches navigating the recruiting process. Recruiting Strategies and Timelines: The hosts emphasized starting early in the recruiting process, ideally during a player's freshman year or earlier. They noted that waiting too long could limit opportunities, especially in today's climate where...
info_outlineFootball 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
College Football Playoffs and Recruiting Trends Playoff games discussed, including standout performances and controversies. Analysis of team-building strategies, focusing on talent evaluation and system fits. Transfer Portal and Its Impact The increasing reliance on the transfer portal over high school recruits: Colleges prefer transfer players for their experience, even if they’re backups. High school players need patience as opportunities evolve. Advice for players navigating the portal: know your value, and don’t rush decisions. Missouri’s Rising Talent Highlighting top...
info_outlineFootball 360 Show: NIL, D1 recruiting, Transfer portal, Athletic Development, Strength Training.
College Football Playoffs and Expansion Debate Debate over expanding the playoffs: would including more teams create better competition or dilute the quality? Controversy around the impact of bye weeks: Teams with byes often underperform due to extended breaks. Discussion of past scenarios where top teams faltered after byes. Big Programs and Viewership TV ratings heavily influence playoff matchups and team selection. Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Texas discussed as major viewership drivers. Smaller schools (e.g., Boise State) face challenges breaking into the playoff scene due to limited...
info_outline🔥 Recruiting Landscape & Strategy
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Parents and players are overwhelmed by showcase invites — not all are worth it.
-
Matt and JP endorse four key events:
-
Elite Football Combine
-
Middle School Elite Combine
-
KC Varsity Combine
-
Lindenwood Mega Camp (and smaller one at William Jewell)
-
-
Emphasis on having a realistic and strategic camp plan — don’t blindly chase Power 4 invites.
🧠 Real Talk: How Recruiting Really Works
-
Power 4 schools increasingly use the transfer portal over high school recruiting.
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Many Power 4-caliber high school athletes are ignored, only to be recruited after proving themselves elsewhere.
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Some schools use offers for leverage — they may not be ready to accept a commitment.
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Fit matters — it’s not always about talent, but how a player matches a program's style and system.
💡 Tips for Athletes & Families
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Start early: Sophomore year film is crucial — aim to play varsity by then.
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Go to combines and camps early to build visibility.
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Early offers often don’t mean much, but they help build momentum and perception.
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Self-promotion matters — recruiting is both a game of exposure and performance.
📈 Recruiting Trends & Data
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45% of programs now prioritize the transfer portal over high school recruiting.
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For Power 4, the number may be as high as 65–75%.
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Early exposure is more critical than ever due to increased scholarship competition.
🏈 Politics Inside College Football
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Offers and playing time often come down to who on staff is advocating for the player.
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The side of the ball (offense/defense) a recruiter coaches can impact a player’s chances once signed.
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Players should pay attention to coaching staff loyalty, staff connections, and internal power dynamics.
🔦 Examples & Behind-the-Scenes Insight
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Brady Cook’s commitment story shows how internal politics nearly blocked his Mizzou offer.
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Coaches don’t always know recruits’ families — a red flag for personal connection.
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Matt and JP highlight how player rankings are often driven more by who offers first than film.
💼 The Business of College Football
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Head coaches operate like CEOs — sometimes far removed from daily player life.
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Recruiting is not always fair; it’s driven by exposure, politics, and who’s willing to bet on a kid early.
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Parents must dig deeper: who’s recruiting, what’s the fit, who really makes the decisions?
Football 360 Show on X JP Rock Socials: X: https://x.com/JPRockMO
IG: / jprockscoutsu
Matt Biermann Socials: X: https://x.com/elitefootball