I'm 5'11, 180 pounds, never played football, wants to play free safety in D3 college, any tips, can i do it?

Question

Avid fan would love to work hard and compete, study game film, practice hard, etc. Run a 4.5 40 yard dash

Answer 1

Let me say right now that you CAN play in college, even if you didn't play in HS.  But don't assume because it's D3 that you can just waltz in and get a spot on the team.  Returning players and freshman have probably been practicing all summer, be it 7-on-7s, or other types of team activities.  So you're already behind.  If you want to play, you should march into the coach's office as soon as you read my answer, and tell him you'd like to practice with the team.  You've got good speed, but unless you can learn the playbook, read the offense, and HIT, you're probably not going to make the team.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Absolutely.  There's a guy trying out for the Cowboys who never played college football.  What's the difference?

Answer 3

Don't give up on your dream if this is what you want to do. If you haven't played football in high school, then this will be an uphill battle even for D3.

Don't worry about your size. You are taller/heavier than Darryl Green and he is in the hall of fame now. I know he wasn't a safety but a defensive back none-the-less. He started out of high school at a college I've never heard of. Of course he had world class speed but a lot of fast guys haven't made it to the elite level.

Give it your best shot. I'm thinking that you have to be tenacious and free safteys are usually the best open field tacklers on the squad. If you could prove to the coach that you could hit, then you have a good chance. If you really want to impress a football coach who has no prior knowledge of your game, do it in special teams. If you run down that field on a kick-off and hammer that return guy, trust me, he'll find a spot on the team for you.

Answer 4

You are really far behind.  A free safety needs to be a strong hitter, and have the instincts to understand how a play is developing and where he needs to be.

You need to talk to the head coach at your college to see if he will allow you to walk on.  Most college practices have started by now.

Answer 5

you should give it a shot, as long as u can hit ur good cuz u got speed, d 3 ball is a joke were im from soo u should be good, ill be playing saftey at dean college this year

good luck wit it  

Answer 6

You can try out as a walk-on but, if you have never played football before.. chances are that they wont even consider.

- Jay

Answer 7

no, you cant.  you cant play college unless you played in high school.

Answer 8

Go as a walk on you never know unless you try