Which colleges to apply for a football scholarship?

Hi, I'm looking for advice on which colleges I should apply to if my main goal is to get a football scholarship. I'm decent but not a superstar, so I'm thinking schools where it might be easier to land a scholarship. Any advice?

The NCAA is divided into three divisions, and each division offers a unique experience when it comes to college football. For Division I and Division II schools, they can offer what’s called “athletic scholarships,” meaning you can have some (DI) or all (DII) of your expenses covered due to your football ability. Division III schools, however, do not offer athletic scholarships. That being said, most students across all divisions receive academic scholarships, not athletic, so it's often more beneficial to focus on colleges where you would be happy being a student rather than a football player.

Based on your query, smaller Division I-AA (officially known as the Football Championship Subdivision or FCS) and Division II schools would seem like a good fit. While it's a common belief that the higher the division, the higher the competition level, that's not necessarily the case. Competition can be fierce in all divisions and even varying greatly within the same division.

Some schools to consider in Division I-AA might include Eastern Kentucky University (Ohio Valley Conference), James Madison University (Colonial Athletic Association), or North Dakota State University (Missouri Valley Football Conference) — all of which have strong football traditions.

In Division II, schools such as University of Minnesota Duluth (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference), Valdosta State University (Gulf South Conference), and Northwest Missouri State University (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) are known for their football programs.

Remember though, earning a football scholarship is a highly competitive process, and it's best to keep open communication with college coaches about your academic and athletic abilities to find a school that is the best fit for you both as a student and as an athlete. It's also beneficial to create a video highlight reel and consider attending football camps to increase your visibility. Lastly, make sure you meet the NCAA eligibility requirements, which include maintaining a minimum GPA and taking certain core high school courses. Good luck with your future college football career!