Up Close In Personnel with Alex Brown

Ep. 16 - Calvin Anderson - The Player's Perspective: Life, Ball & NIL

The first active NFL player to speak on the show, Calvin is the perfect person to talk about the ever-changing landscape of recruiting.

 

From signing with Rice University, starting 36 straight games and earning his degree in Mathematical Economic Analysis to grad transferring to the University of Texas to start all 14 games there, he's seen quite a bit for a young professional athlete.

 

Now a member of the Denver Broncos, after a brief stint with the New England Patriots as an rookie undrafted free agent and on the New York Jets practice squad, Calvin brings a wealth of knowledge to the forefront on what he's learned both on and off the field.

 

The mindset he has for setting goals, seeking knowledge, being purposeful in building his own brand, is so important to hear during this time period. Whether you're a player, coach, recruiter or administrator, everyone has an opportunity to speak on what they're passionate about and what they stand for.

 

Like I do each and every week, here's your cheat sheet to the topics covered on this week's podcast:

• Life as an NFL athlete during COVID (4:00)
• Honesty and Transparency in Recruiting (7:07)
• Biggest Impact on Calvin’s Collegiate Career (13:40)
• Goal Setting & Calvin’s Process for Getting Better (15:50)
• Watching Stocks & Terrible Movies for Fun (17:38)
• Discipline and Rules in the Anderson Household (19:53)
• Economics & Developing High Level Critical Thinking Skills (28:53)
• The Upward Trajectory of Rice Football (34:30)
• The Impact & Value of a Rice degree (36:52)
• Coming Back Home & Playing for UT (42:05)
• Navigating the NFL & Lessons Learned as a Rookie (44:34)
• Learning How to Be a Pro from Kelvin Beachum (49:35)
• Topic of the Week: “Name, Image & Likeness” (51:38)
• Impact of NIL on Recruiting & Unintended Consequences (54:18)
• Rubik's Cube & Staying Proactive as a Professional (58:40)
• Embracing Who Your Are & What Makes You Unique (63:30)
• An Athlete's Guide to Using Social Media (69:50)
• Sendoff Advice to Players, Parents and Coaches (73:20)

 

Thank you for listening to another episode of Up Close In Personnel with Alex Brown.

 

You can follow Calvin on Twitter at @THE_CONDA25! Also, don't forget to check out the official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com for weekly updates, and submit any questions you may have!

Ep. 15 - Austin Schaffer - Winning Your In-State Battles

This episode is all about the nitty gritty of evaluating, building a culture within your staff and what it takes to successfully navigate the player personnel profession. Austin's passion for the evaluation process can be heard and felt throughout this conversation, as he brings a ton of insight to young professionals in the industry and players navigating the difficulties of COVID-19! I hope you enjoy this week's show as much as I did, and be sure to have your pen and paper ready!

 

As I do each and every week, here is your listening guide for topics covered:

• Being Genuine & Authentic as a Recruiter (5:40)
• Creating Accountability in Recruiting (7:54)
• Learning & Growing in the Profession (10:18)
• Team Building Lessons Outside of Football (20:30)
• From Cleveland To Cincinnati: Austin's Football Journey (27:46)
• The "Tough & Nasty" Culture at Cincinnati (34:30
• Austin's Role as Director of Scouting & UC's Recruiting Staff (36:54)
• Topic of the Week: "Winning Your In-State Battles" (40:54)
• Building Your Network & Contacts as a Recruiter (43:01)
• Identifying & Recruiting Impact Underclassmen (50:01)
• Working Your Area & Having a Pulse on Local Talent (53:21)
• Battling Exposure Bias with In-State vs National Recruits (57:09)

 

 

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Up Close In Personnel with Alex Brown! If you'd like to keep in touch with Austin, you can follow him on Twitter at @AustinSchaffer2! Also, don't forget to check out the official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com for weekly updates and to submit any questions you may have! Have a blessed weekend and stay safe out there!

Ep. 14 - John Peterson - Part 2: Player Personnel Departments in the World of College Football

As mentioned last week, John Peterson is both a dear friend and respected mentor of mine. In part 2 of a wide-ranging discussion, he delivers some incredible words of advice on leadership, management, player personnel and evaluating within football programs.

 

For those that like to skip around, here is your listening guide: 

• Dr. Clark W. Heatherington's Formula for Education (2:34)
• Leadership Defined & Management Styles (4:50)
• Player Personnel Departments at the College Level (8:25)
• Specialized Roles Required in College Football Recruiting (12:38)
• The Role of Combine Scouts & Evaluating Underclassmen (14:08)
• Applying NFL Scouting Principles to Covering the Portal (22:00)
• Grading Scales in Evaluation and Assigning Value (33:13)
• Sendoff Advice to Recruits, Parents and Coaches (44:01)
• Information On The Scouting Academy (56:32)

 

To learn more about the college recruiting and NFL scouting courses John teaches, be sure to visit the Scouting Academy! Also, don't forget to rate, subscribe and share the show if you enjoyed this episode!

 

For full show notes and updates, please visit UpCloseInPersonnel.com! Stay safe and Happy 4th of July!

Ep. 13 - John Peterson - Part 1: Keys to Success in College Football Recruiting

This week's guest is both a dear friend and respected mentor that I have looked up to ever since we met; I was just a young college student, hungry to learn how to scout like the pros! Years later, it's an absolute honor and privilege to have him on my show!

 

In Episode 13, John breaks down a multitude of factors involved in the recruiting game. When it comes down to what it takes to recruit at a high level, it's pretty simple: you have to be able to communicate effectively and connect! We discuss the fundamental phases of recruiting, what recruiters must be knowledgeable of, and the incredible experiences that have shaped John's distinguished and successful football career. Whether you're new to the recruiting game or a veteran, there's so much to learn from this episode!

 

As always, here is your listener's guide: 

• What You Must Possess & Know to Succeed in Recruiting (7:00)
• Four Phases of Recruiting: Identify, Qualify, Evaluate, Recruit (10:59)
• Evaluating Work Ethic and Learning Styles in Others (36:59)
• The Importance of Communication & Connection (44:05)
• Biggest Influences on John's Career (49:06)
• Analyzing Your Own Learning to Develop Your Craft (54:17)
• John's Experience as a Teacher & Coach at the College Level (1:02:26)
• "Quality People Build Quality Programs" (1:11:51)

 

Next week's episode will focus more on the personnel side and evaluating, so check back next week for the second half of this conversation!

To learn more about the college recruiting course John teaches, visit the Scouting Academy! Also, be sure to rate, subscribe and share the show if you enjoyed this episode!

 

For full show notes and updates, please visit UpCloseInPersonnel.com! Stay safe and God Bless!

Ep. 12 - Carina Hargreaves - Inside The Process Of Coordinating Campus Visits

As this show has progressed, one commonality among high-performers is the ability to build and foster genuine relationships with prospective student athletes. Carina touches on this right out of the gate, but this episode covers so much more than just the basics.

In this week's edition of Up Close In Personnel with Alex Brown, we detail the thought process behind coordinating and scheduling visits for recruits. What are the different approaches you can take with official visits and with unofficial visits? How does the philosophy and mindset change throughout the calendar year? And how do you stay ahead of the curve and on the forefront of recruiting trends?

Carina's experiences at Florida and South Carolina definitely shaped her for the role she holds currently, but what is most important is how she's been able to stay centered and locked into the present moment. Her main advice for climbing the ladder? 1. Be where your feet are, 2. Try not to say no, and 3. Be a problem solver

For those of you that just like to hack the system and skip to things that pertain most to you, here is your weekly dose of topics covered:

• Recruiting Virtually During COVID-19 (3:45)
• The Importance of Relationships In Recruiting (7:00)
• The Best Recruiters Carina Has Been Around - Hint: Dad Makes The Cut (11:02)
• Finding Your Voice & Style In Recruiting (14:45)
• Learning: A Daily Habit of Conversations & Action (19:32)
• Doing Your Homework On Recruits & Thinking Outside The Box (27:19)
• Growing Up In a Football Family (29:29)
• Uncovering The Passion For Recruiting - The Florida Days (34:26)
• Being Where Your Feet Are - The South Carolina Days (41:32)
• Challenges Facing The 2020 & 2021 Recruiting Classes (51:15)
• Differences Between Official and Unofficial Visits (1:01:01)
• Philosophy And Approach Regarding Unofficial Visits (1:05:25)
• Shaping Official Visits Throughout The Calendar Year (1:11:30)
• Coordinating Multiple Recruiting Events Simultaneously (1:19:07)
• Why You Need Checklists When It Comes To Recruiting (1:23:31)
• Sendoff Advice to Recruits, Parents & Coaches (1:35:34)

Thank you for listening to another episode of Up Close In Personnel with Alex Brown! If you'd like to keep up with Carina on Twitter, you can follow her at @CarinaH_GT! Also, don't forget to check out the official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com for weekly updates, and submit any questions you may have!

Ep. 11 - Trey Johnson - Gameplanning & The Strategy Involved In The Recruiting Process

In this week's episode, we take a deep dive into the strategy involved in recruiting and effective approaches to building a "gameplan" for targeted recruits. Trey's main focus is doing your homework on the front end, to assist in building deeper connections and relationships but also in order to best structure the on-campus experience.

For those that like to jump around, here's your guide for this week's episode:

• Life During COVID and Silver Linings (3:20)
• "Big Shot Trey" Origins & Noon-Ball (7:34)
• Background Research & Identifying the Champion (9:55)
• What Makes Gavin Morris & Donte Williams Such Great Recruiters (14:41)
• Influences from Trey's Experiences at Tennessee & Liberty (18:50)
• Learning From Others & Asking Questions (22:27)
• Trey's Journey in Football (28:50)
• Getting a foot in the door with Tennessee (33:28)
• Lessons Learned at UT & Trey's Transition to Liberty (37:02)
• Growing & Developing A Recruiting Department (43:17)
• Topic of the Week: The Strategy Involved In The Recruiting Process (57:37)
• Staying Fresh & Cutting Edge with New Ideas (1:00:31)
• Taking The Right Approach with Targeted Recruits (1:02:17)
• Building Progression Into Multiple Campus Visits (1:06:16)
• Listener Questions (1:10:10)
• Sendoff Advice for Recruits, Parents & Coaches (1:17:06)

Thanks as always for taking time to listen to Up Close In Personnel with Alex Brown!  If you want to follow Trey on Twitter, you can follow him at @ThisIsTreyJ!

Also, don't forget to check our official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com for weekly updates, and submit any questions you may!

 

Ep. 10 - Matt Lindsey - The Role of a GM & The Art of Team Building

During our conversation, we covered the evolution of recruiting and the emergence of personnel jobs in college football. With Matt having the experience of working at both pro and college levels of ball, his perspective and awareness on player evaluations is extremely insightful. I wound up having over 3 pages worth of notes, so you'll definitely want a pen and paper ready for this one!

 

As always, here's your listening guide for topics covered:

• Challenges Involved in Transitioning to a New Team (4:37)
• "Big Pretty" and the Alabama Personnel Pipeline (8:00)
• Building Your Own Foundation for Player Evaluation (11:37)
• Ed Marynowitz and his influence on Matt (19:31)
• The "Plus-Minus-Equal" Approach to Learning (21:20)
• Love & Passion for the Player Evaluation Process (27:19)
• The Hudl Film Librarian, AKA Matt Lindsey (30:04)
• Scouting with the Philadelphia Eagles (32:10)
• The Expansion of Personnel Jobs in College Football (33:51)
• Building the Brand: Reaching Recruits and Fans (35:45)
• Why Your Players Are Your Best Recruiters (40:00)
• What Does the GM Role Look Like? (42:10)
• How-To on Assembling a Recruiting Staff (44:22)
• Finding Diamonds in the Rough (46:26)
• Vetting Out Character during the Recruiting Process (49:23)
• Philosophy on Recruiting Tape & Advice for Highlights (58:34)
• Advice For Recruiting Assistants on Evaluating (1:06:39)
• Establishing Your Recruiting Footprint (1:11:21)
• Javon Kinlaw's Path to the First Round (1:15:45)
• The Importance of Self Scouting & Advance Scouting (1:18:48)
• Sendoff Advice for Recruits, Parents & Coaches (1:20:34)

Thank you for tuning in to the show! If you're looking for Matt, you can find him at @MattLindseyFB.

 

Also, remember to follow the show on our official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com and submit any questions you have through the site or via email at UpCloseInPersonnel@gmail.com!

Ep. 9 - Jonny Kovach - The Numbers Game: Roster Management in the World of College Football

In this week's edition of Up Close In Personnel, we focus on the commonalities among high performers in the world of recruiting and hone in on the roster management side of recruiting. From Jonny's own unique story and journey through athletics, to how he learns and networks, to the strategy behind scholarship allocation, we covered just about everything. To follow Jonny, check him out on Twitter at @JonnyKovach

For those that like to skip around for specific topics, here's this week's show guide:

• "The Last Dance" Aftermath (2:45)
•  Recruiting During COVID-19 (7:35)
•  Being REAL & RELENTLESS in Recruiting (9:36)
•  Identifying Program Fit: "Doing Your Due Dilligence" (12:00)
•  Best Recruiters That Jonny Has Been Around (16:10)
•  Learning from People Around You: "Be A Sponge" (24:33)
•  Influences Outside of Football (36:38)
•  Jonny's Journey To The Windy City (39:22)
•  Networking With a Purpose (47:26)
•  Topic of the Week: Roster Management (53:01)
•  Scholarship Allocation & Forecasting (1:03:03)
•  Walk-On Program Development (1:09:35)
•  The Fluidity of Your Scholarship Board (1:15:07)
•  Listener Questions (1:18:22)
•  Sendoff Advice for Recruits, Parents & Coaches (1:28:24)

Remember to follow the show on our official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com and you can submit any questions you have through the official website or via email at UpCloseInPersonnel@gmail.com!

Thank you for your time and until next week, stay blessed & stay safe! -AB 

Ep. 8 - Gaizka Crowley - FBS vs FCS Recruiting and Knowing The Recruiting Landscape

In this episode, we focus on best practices in the recruiting and evaluation process, influences on Gaizka and his journey in football, and more specifically the differences between FBS and FCS recruiting. We really touch on all aspects of recruiting in this one and it was a blast recording this week's show!

 

Here is a breakdown for those looking to skip around for specific topics:

• Adapting with the times and COVID Impact (4:00)
• Qualities of successful recruiters and evaluators (9:50)
• The value of case studies in recruiting (17:40)
• Key influences for Gaizka and his process (19:42)
• Aligning with the vision of your head coach (26:06)
• Gaizka's Journey in Football (30:05)
• Topic of the Week: FBS vs FCS Recruiting (48:48)
• Finding out if a recruit "loves the game" (52:18
• Scholarship Allotment and the value of Special Teams (53:34)
• What recruits need to know about financial aid (57:00)
• "You can only pick one school" (1:00:19)
• One piece of advice for recruits, parents and coaches (1:02:04)

Thanks for listening! Be sure to follow Gaizka on Twitter at @Gaizka_SIU  and be sure to visit UpCloseInPersonnel.com -the official website of the show for news, notes and updates! Please subscribe, rate and share the show with your friends, and have a blessed Memorial Day Weekend! -AB

Ep. 7 - Jesse Ornelas - Junior College Recruiting, Last Chance U & Lessons Learned

For episode seven of Up Close In Personnel with Alex Brown, we discuss what the recruiting process really looks like at the Junior College level for both coaches and players. Jesse Ornelas from Central Oklahoma is someone that focuses on building trust as a recruiter and takes pride in his ability to evaluate. At the end of the day, this is just a great episode for recruits and coaches looking to learn more about JuCo ball.

 

We cover a lot in this one, but here's a guide for those looking to jump around to specific topics:

• Key traits of successful recruiters (3:23)
• Jesse's football journey (18:30)
• Jimmy Garoppolo & training your eye (23:48)
• Last Chance U & the JuCo Grind (27:30)
• Topic of the week: Junior College Recruiting (42:00)
• Crash Course on Qualifiers, Non-Qualifiers & Bouncebacks (43:15)
• Questions college coaches need to ask & what recruits should expect (46:38)
• What does it take to "get out" (51:15)
• Common misconceptions around JuCo Ball (53:40)
• Printer problems and coaching for Jason Brown (58:05)
• Sendoff message for players, parents & coaches (1:09:02)

 

Thanks as always for tuning into the show! You can follow Jesse on Twitter at @TheGodfather_O!

 

Don't forget to visit our show's official website -UpCloseInPersonnel.com- for updates, show notes and to send in any/all of your questions!

Also, remember to subscribe, rate and share the show if you're a first time listener!

Stay safe & stay blessed! -AB