"Football's pretty big in the community where I grew up, and so I always focused on how to get recruited for college football. I didn't think that I would be able to play at a division I. I guess I always saw myself - because I saw my brothers playing at a smaller college - that I would also play at a smaller college. But, fortunately for me, the University of Hawaii and some other schools came around toward the end of my senior season.
School is definitely very important to focus on. If you don't have the academics, if you're not taking care of school right now (at the high-school level) - as much as any coach would want to recruit you, or bring you to their college, they won't be able to if you don't have the grades to be eligible. So that's always been a big priority of mine.
Something that my parents have always emphasized to me is 'School first'. Also continue to work on your skill - whatever sport it may be - as an athlete. You can be the greatest athlete in the world, but if you don't have the grades to get you into college then it's going to be an unfortunate circumstance. School is a very important part of how to get recruited for college football. Definitely take care of school as you continue to develop yourself in your sport." -Inoke Funaki (Quarterback for the University of Hawaii)
"You don't have to wait until your senior season to start the college football recruiting process and get in contact with coaches.
It will definitely help a college football player to be more vocal. If you have any questions or concerns about anything you should ask a coach. A lot of times there are players that have questions about "how to do this" or "how can I do that' and I think that coaches - at least most of them - are very willing, and want to help in any way they can with the college football recruiting process. And a lot of times they can't help you unless you ask. And most of the time they will be more than willing to help you. Whether it's with college or with football, or any other sport, or just working out, or how you can better yourself in the sport that you're playing, just have the courage to ask.
I know for me, growing up, it was difficult to talk to the coaches. It wasn't the coaches fault, it's just myself and my personality - I was afraid to ask too many questions. But it's definitely better to ask a lot of questions than to ask no questions and trying to figure out everything on your own. It's a totally different world out there, and you need other people to help you through the college football recruiting process.
Not everyone has someone that has been through the experience before that can help 'coach them up' - so if you're one of those people, don't be afraid to ask questions. It will really help you out. Ask and you shall receive." -Inoke Funaki (Quarterback for the University of Hawaii)
"The high school football recruiting process may start sooner than you think, and today I would like to talk to you about a big question that a lot of high school athletes have, and that is, "When does the high school or college recruiting process start?" Now, a lot of people may think that it's when you get your first letter from a coach, or you send in film, something like that. I certainly thought, back when I was in high school, that the recruiting process started my senior year - after the season was done - that's when I made my film, sent it out, and tried to get in contact with coaches. But actually, the football recruiting process can start as soon as you want - as soon as possible.
There are a lot of coaches who are looking younger and younger for athletes to recruit - 7th and 8th grade even. And so anything you can do right now would be helpful. One big thing in the college or high school football recruiting process is calling coaches, trying to make a contact with them, talking to a coach, and trying to get them to know you. Another way to get to know coaches is going to camps and talking to them. And also, sending out film. Even if you don't have the greatest highlight film or the greatest numbers in a combine, it's still worth it to talk to coaches and make that contact so they know who you are and hopefully you'll get on their recruiting list." -Joshua Rice (former football player for the University of Hawaii)
School is definitely very important to focus on. If you don't have the academics, if you're not taking care of school right now (at the high-school level) - as much as any coach would want to recruit you, or bring you to their college, they won't be able to if you don't have the grades to be eligible. So that's always been a big priority of mine.
Something that my parents have always emphasized to me is 'School first'. Also continue to work on your skill - whatever sport it may be - as an athlete. You can be the greatest athlete in the world, but if you don't have the grades to get you into college then it's going to be an unfortunate circumstance. School is a very important part of how to get recruited for college football. Definitely take care of school as you continue to develop yourself in your sport." -Inoke Funaki (Quarterback for the University of Hawaii)
"You don't have to wait until your senior season to start the college football recruiting process and get in contact with coaches.
It will definitely help a college football player to be more vocal. If you have any questions or concerns about anything you should ask a coach. A lot of times there are players that have questions about "how to do this" or "how can I do that' and I think that coaches - at least most of them - are very willing, and want to help in any way they can with the college football recruiting process. And a lot of times they can't help you unless you ask. And most of the time they will be more than willing to help you. Whether it's with college or with football, or any other sport, or just working out, or how you can better yourself in the sport that you're playing, just have the courage to ask.
I know for me, growing up, it was difficult to talk to the coaches. It wasn't the coaches fault, it's just myself and my personality - I was afraid to ask too many questions. But it's definitely better to ask a lot of questions than to ask no questions and trying to figure out everything on your own. It's a totally different world out there, and you need other people to help you through the college football recruiting process.
Not everyone has someone that has been through the experience before that can help 'coach them up' - so if you're one of those people, don't be afraid to ask questions. It will really help you out. Ask and you shall receive." -Inoke Funaki (Quarterback for the University of Hawaii)
"The high school football recruiting process may start sooner than you think, and today I would like to talk to you about a big question that a lot of high school athletes have, and that is, "When does the high school or college recruiting process start?" Now, a lot of people may think that it's when you get your first letter from a coach, or you send in film, something like that. I certainly thought, back when I was in high school, that the recruiting process started my senior year - after the season was done - that's when I made my film, sent it out, and tried to get in contact with coaches. But actually, the football recruiting process can start as soon as you want - as soon as possible.
There are a lot of coaches who are looking younger and younger for athletes to recruit - 7th and 8th grade even. And so anything you can do right now would be helpful. One big thing in the college or high school football recruiting process is calling coaches, trying to make a contact with them, talking to a coach, and trying to get them to know you. Another way to get to know coaches is going to camps and talking to them. And also, sending out film. Even if you don't have the greatest highlight film or the greatest numbers in a combine, it's still worth it to talk to coaches and make that contact so they know who you are and hopefully you'll get on their recruiting list." -Joshua Rice (former football player for the University of Hawaii)