How does Birmingham Prep help me get re-recruited?

The Cardinal program has coaching connections with college coaches both locally and throughout the country. In 2016, 60% of our eligible players received offers to 4-year colleges. In 2017, our championship roster raised that percentage to 87%. With Championships in 2018 and 2020, along with consistent recruiting and hard work, we've kept our outgoing offer receipt percentage above 80% over five years. In addition to coaching connections formed over decades of coaching experience, the Cardinals partner with a recruiting service where each player will have their profile with periodically updated film. This profile will be viewed and sent to college coaches throughout the season, who will have the opportunity to monitor our player's progress. Additionally, our players will attend a combine after the season, where they work out in front of and meet over 100 college coaches. These coaches will also be able to meet and discuss players with the Cardinal coaching staff the following day. Further, The Cardinals compile information on each player's background through transcripts, recommendations, and personal testimonials for college coaches to receive a complete view of a recruit's background, not only their short stint as a Cardinal.

What differentiates the Birmingham Cardinals from other prep programs?

The Cardinals develops the whole student-athlete as we are a small-group ministry and a prep/JuCo program. Our student-athletes spiritual development is as important as athletic and academic development. Birmingham Prep attends Church of the Highlands, a non-denominational church in Birmingham, and encourages our players to remain close to Christ regardless of their Christian religious affiliation. The Birmingham Cardinals never endorses or attempts to push a particular Christian faith; however, it encourages a continual relationship with God.

What type of students do the Birmingham Cardinals accept?

The Cardinals pride themselves on their ability to accommodate different types of student-athletes. Our program terminology has two categories of players: Prep or JuCo players. A prep player includes recent high school graduates who are reclassifying to add additional film because of an injury or under-recruitment. Within the prep category, student-athletes with low test scores will also reclassify and raise their test scores to eligible status during their time with the Cardinals. A JuCo player is either a player who has yet to meet NCAA core GPA standards or is attempting to transfer from one 4-year school to another. These players would be what is known as a 4-2-4 transfer.

What does it mean to reclassify?

A high school player has a given graduation date. To reclassify would mean that they will continue their resume building for college without triggering their eligibility, thus reclassifying into a later class. For example, a May 2024 high school graduate considered a prep player (as mentioned above) can take less than 12 credit hours in Fall 2024 and boost their test scores and add additional film while becoming a December graduate for the class of 2025. There is a recent trend of student-athletes graduating high school early to enroll in time for spring practice; prep players are participating in this popular path.

How can doing a postgraduate or prep year help you out of high school?

A postgraduate year allows student-athletes to ease into college life with a limited class schedule while also focusing on the remediation of possible areas of academic weakness. Student-athletes can leave the Cardinals with higher test scores and college credit within their reclassification, which signals a commitment to academics to 4-year schools regardless of a football future.