The midseason film update coaches actually want by Week 6

By the sixth game of the season, a college staff has stopped projecting and started deciding. The recruits who understand that send a specific piece of film in October — and it's not the highlight reel.

Why Week 6 is the line

One game is a sample. Five games is a trend. A coach who saw your Week 1 film wants to know whether it was a hot night or a floor that keeps rising — and midseason is the first point where the answer is on tape. Boards are still fluid in October; by late November most positions are closing. The October update lands while there's still a spot to fill.

What to cut

Not a new highlight reel. A three-game update: your best full series from each of the last three games, in order, best game first. Coaches want to see the same player show up against different defenses, and they want to see the fourth quarter. A two-minute cut of full plays beats a four-minute cut of touchdowns.

What to send

Three lines. Since my last email: [one thing that changed — a stat, a new position, a verified number]. Updated film: [link]. What's next: [remaining schedule or playoff picture]. A coach reads three lines. He doesn't read a paragraph about how the season is going.

The profile has to match

A coach who clicks through from the email should find the same film, current stats, and current measurables. If the profile still says junior year, the update loses credibility in one click. Update the profile the same day as the reel.

The seniors' version

Seniors: your midseason update is also your December signing-period argument. Staffs that offer in December are watching October and November film now. Cut it the week it happens, not the week the season ends.

Keep your profile current →