Will Croom helps prospects with MASS ELITE 7v7 program
In the current climate of college football recruitment, it can be a little confusing, and frankly overwhelming, for certain players to know what to do and how to put their best foot forward for teams doling out scholarships.
For Will Croom, head of the MASS ELITE 7v7 program and current assistant coach at the Middlesex School, that's where he can come in and be of assistance, and a role he has played for years locally.
"It's a pleasure to be a big brother mentor to these kids," Croom said in a phone interview last weekend. "My philosophy is that recruiting, it's your first time and it's your last time, so there's a lot of room for error."
Although Croom's team is a 7-on-7 travel squad that competes around the country, that aspect of his program is only part of it. When he picks his team, he analyzes the skills of the players, finding out which college position works best for that individual, even if it is not one that person plays on his high school team.
"I break down their game, and we work on things to get them over the hump to impress these coaches so they can really perform," Croom said. "We work on stuff like getting them prepared for the combine season, which starts right about now. Try to get them familiar with the movements, the drills, so they can put themselves in the best light."
"(Milford High assistant) coach (Dana) Olson, we do a very good job of advocating for these kids, telling these coaches where to look, putting them on to under-the-radar kids," Croom said. "That's really what I'm all about: finding those kids that have that talent, but just don't have the platform."
Croom stressed that a major part of his program also consists of teaching players how to conduct themselves on college visits, knowing what questions to ask, and other things of that nature that go beyond perfecting their skills on the field.
"We basically assume the role of a coach from a high school down South or out West, from a powerhouse, where they have the resources and time to network for these kids," Croom said. "That's what my mission has always been, about getting these kids and to push the envelope and vouching for them."
In January, MassVarsity covered Croom's MASS ELITE 7v7 showcase, which included testing and drill work that helped fill a database with prospect information that could be filtered out to college coaches.
"All those numbers are collected," Croom said. "All those numbers are timed hand and/or electronically. You can look up both numbers where you can come up with a mean. The coaches want that laser time, which is why we have that equipment.
"I make sure everything is a mouse click away, so if a coach is requesting information, they're not just getting piecemeal information. They're getting accurate information with everything, so it's right there."
For Will Croom, head of the MASS ELITE 7v7 program and current assistant coach at the Middlesex School, that's where he can come in and be of assistance, and a role he has played for years locally.
"It's a pleasure to be a big brother mentor to these kids," Croom said in a phone interview last weekend. "My philosophy is that recruiting, it's your first time and it's your last time, so there's a lot of room for error."
Although Croom's team is a 7-on-7 travel squad that competes around the country, that aspect of his program is only part of it. When he picks his team, he analyzes the skills of the players, finding out which college position works best for that individual, even if it is not one that person plays on his high school team.
"I break down their game, and we work on things to get them over the hump to impress these coaches so they can really perform," Croom said. "We work on stuff like getting them prepared for the combine season, which starts right about now. Try to get them familiar with the movements, the drills, so they can put themselves in the best light."
Over the course of Croom's time as both a college and high school coach, he has built up a significant network with college coaches, with whom he is in steady contact about local prospects who can make a difference at the next level.
"(Milford High assistant) coach (Dana) Olson, we do a very good job of advocating for these kids, telling these coaches where to look, putting them on to under-the-radar kids," Croom said. "That's really what I'm all about: finding those kids that have that talent, but just don't have the platform."
Croom stressed that a major part of his program also consists of teaching players how to conduct themselves on college visits, knowing what questions to ask, and other things of that nature that go beyond perfecting their skills on the field.
"We basically assume the role of a coach from a high school down South or out West, from a powerhouse, where they have the resources and time to network for these kids," Croom said. "That's what my mission has always been, about getting these kids and to push the envelope and vouching for them."
In January, MassVarsity covered Croom's MASS ELITE 7v7 showcase, which included testing and drill work that helped fill a database with prospect information that could be filtered out to college coaches.
"All those numbers are collected," Croom said. "All those numbers are timed hand and/or electronically. You can look up both numbers where you can come up with a mean. The coaches want that laser time, which is why we have that equipment.
"I make sure everything is a mouse click away, so if a coach is requesting information, they're not just getting piecemeal information. They're getting accurate information with everything, so it's right there."
Croom explained the process for getting his 7-on-7 team on the road and competing nationally.
"You basically have four-to-five months of my attention every weekend," he said. "This is my offseason where I should be with my kids. I have you pay a $350 program commitment fee, which means you will be at all the practices, you're not just going to leave the program. So, that is your buy-in. Now, I give you raffle devices to fundraise the rest of your tuition, so your only out-of-pocket expense should be $350.
"We have about eight practices. So we go all the way from February to May. Sometimes we have even more, because we do every Sunday. That takes care of his uniform, travel, food, indoor facility expenses. It's not cheap to practice in the dead of winter when it's $265 an hour. You've got to stay somewhere when we're in the hotels and we're on the road."
The exposure can pay off, especially at some of the bigger tournaments. Most people locally are well-aware of travel basketball, baseball, and hockey tournaments, but aren't sure of what to make of the same impact a 7-on-7 commitment can have. But Croom used an AAU basketball analogy to drive home his point of how a football version can — and has in the past with some of his former players — make a difference.
The exposure can pay off, especially at some of the bigger tournaments. Most people locally are well-aware of travel basketball, baseball, and hockey tournaments, but aren't sure of what to make of the same impact a 7-on-7 commitment can have. But Croom used an AAU basketball analogy to drive home his point of how a football version can — and has in the past with some of his former players — make a difference.
"If (an AAU basketball player) goes up against (Duke standout and presumed No. 1 pick in the coming NBA draft) Zion Williamson and scores 32 points, you don't think anyone's going to pay attention to that?" Croom said. "We just don't go to any type of tournaments. I really do my research on the top tournaments, and who we're going against."
And when Croom and Co. compete, he has a simple goal in mind.
"We're practicing so that when we go on the road, we're ready to show out and dominate so we can get those looks," he said. "Not win tournaments, but validate why Massachusetts high school football is slept on and you need to pay attention."
And when Croom and Co. compete, he has a simple goal in mind.
"We're practicing so that when we go on the road, we're ready to show out and dominate so we can get those looks," he said. "Not win tournaments, but validate why Massachusetts high school football is slept on and you need to pay attention."
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