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National Underclassmen Combine

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National Underclassman Combine
FounderDavid Schuman
Headquarters
United States
Number of locations
Numerous throughout the U.S.
WebsiteNational Underclassman Homepage

National Underclassmen Combine is a professional, privately owned recruiting program and three-day training and assessment function for high school football players to display their skills and potential.

As one of the largest programs of its kind, the purpose of National Underclassmen Combine is to connect talented football athletes with collegiate programs willing to offer them a scholarship. Notable players to go through the system include Joe Haden, cornerback for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, and Marcus Lattimore, star running back for the University of South Carolina.

Founded by former University of Connecticut linebacker David Schuman, the first combine event was held in New Jersey in 2005.[1] The program has continued to expand nationwide, with local combines being managed by former coaches and players, as well as local high school coaches.[2]

Philosophy and objectives

According to ESPN recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg, “Combines … are platforms for kids to get initially identified, for young kids to emerge, etc.”[3] Dave Schuman, the founder of National Underclassmen Combine, observes that college football programs are now looking to younger students as potential recruits.[1] Previously, a football player would not have to consider his options for playing collegiate football until his senior year. Now many elite programs are extending scholarship offers to students at the beginning of their junior years of high school.[1]

In an interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Schuman explained that the combine system is more than just a proving ground for talented football players. It’s also a means to educate and prepare student-athletes and their parents for the rigors of major college recruiting.[1] College athletic departments must abide by strict guidelines throughout the recruiting process, but it’s a good idea for potential recruits to have an understanding of these rules as well. Coaches are not allowed, for example, to speak with students before their junior year of high school. Schuman claims that his combine system allows prodigious athletes from across the country to get early exposure in a trusted system.[1]

Combine structure

A typical weekend combine organized by National Underclassmen is a three-day event. The first day consists of preparatory events: combine prep training, positions skill training and All American recruiting.[4] Day 2 includes the actual combines: tests of athletic ability and football-specific skills. Seventh through ninth graders participate in the morning, while sophomores and juniors work out during the afternoon.[4]

The tests and drills on day two of the combine are critical in terms of allowing young athletes to gauge their abilities against elite competition. Standard drills include the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, bench press and vertical leap. National Underclassmen Combine also administers position-specific drills, such as throwing strength and accuracy, catching ability, and offensive and defensive line work.[1]

For the most gifted of these young athletes, the combines are merely the first step in the process of maximizing their exposure. Day three consists of special events such as a 7-on-7 tournament and “trench warfare” for linesmen.[4] Additionally, an awards ceremony for the most exceptional athletes of the weekend is held at the end of day three. Event managers hand out the overall MVP (most valuable player) award and positional MVP awards, as well as a number of other awards, including Strongest Man and Combine King.[4]

The top participants from all of the national combines are invited to take part in the regional Ultimate 100 camps. These camps offer the chance for elite athletes to test themselves against others in their region. According to the National Underclassmen website, 50 percent of those invited to an Ultimate 100 camp go on to play college football at the Division 1 or 1aa level.[5] The format of the these camps is similar to the standard National Underclassmen weekend combine. The first Ultimate 100 camp was held in 2006.[5]

Combine recruiting process

Registration for National Underclassmen Combine events is conducted via the company website. No explicit eligibility criteria exist, but participants must compete within their age group. The results of every National Underclassmen event are posted on the organization’s website. Results are also made available to college coaches in the form of a report.

Major sports sites such as ESPN.com and Rivals.com also regularly cover news from the combines.[6] Interested coaches can also watch videos of players who participated in the combine, perhaps identifying a young player who will fit on their team years down the road.

Issues with recruitment of young athletes

The recruitment of young players is not without controversy. Some coaches and parents worry that, just as in the classroom, some athletes may not “test” well and therefore have a blemish on their recruiting record, not to mention the potential psychological damage of falling short of their goals.[3] Others have expressed concern that combines are too expensive for some families.[4][3] National Underclassmen Combine sees these concerns and sought to position itself as an affordable talent assessment and recruiting system.

Notable players from National Underclassmen Combine

Many combine participants go on to play football at the collegiate level while earning a degree. A few continue to play football at the professional level in the National Football League. Noteworthy players to matriculate through the National Underclassmen Combine system include:

Future recruitment combines

No combine system can guarantee that young student athletes will find success after participating. However, combines do provide an opportunity for exposure and recognition that might otherwise be lacking, especially for those living outside of the traditional football hotbeds of California, Texas and the Southeast. The passion for college football shows no sign of abating. The program has grown tremendously, thanks largely to the parallel growth of collegiate football recruiting initiatives. In 2008, approximately 10,000 young football players registered for National Underclassmen events across the nation.[7] That number doubled in the following year.[7] The 2012 combine schedule lists 85 locations, covering every corner of the Lower 48 states.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Baker, Matt (4 July 2010). "Taking Charge: Potential recruits use combines, camps and websites to gain attention of college scouts". Tulsa World. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) Cite error: The named reference "MR" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ National Underclassmen. "Frequently Asked Questions". Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Knight, Joey (15 July 2011). "FINDING AN AUDIENCE; Combines can help unheralded players, but not everyone is a fan". Tampa Bay Times. pp. C1. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e National Underclassmen. "2012 National Underclassmen Football Combine Schedule". Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  5. ^ a b National Underclassmen. "2012 NUC Ultimate 100 Camp Series". Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  6. ^ Clark, Ernie (26 May 2010). "Underclass football combines helfpul; Players' results sent to college programs". Bangor Daily News. pp. C1. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ a b Karten, Stacy (2009). "Kicking Off NFL Dreams". Baltimore Jewish Times. pp. 46–47. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ National Underclassmen. "Full 2012 Combine Schedule Breakdown". Retrieved 10 July 2012.
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