Thomas Stokan

Retired Army Active Duty 20+ yrs., Senior Coordinator Supply Chain Rehab Hospital 20 yrs., College Football Recruiting Coordinator

[Sandy Gholston @fsusportsblog]

☝️

[Ferris Athletics @ferrisathletics]

UNBEATEN! What a way to start the 2026 fall season for the Bulldogs! #1 Football wins on the road 42-14, #10 Volleyball goes 4-0 at home & Soccer earns a victory & a tie in Minnesota! Final record: 6-0-1 on opening weekend! Go Bulldogs!

[Ferris St. Football @FerrisFootball]

FSU President Dr. Bill Pink live on the @Hugeshow across Michigan now ahead of tonight’s showdown between the Bulldogs and Gorillas!

[John Blackstock @Blackstock_JB]

Really proud of this guy @BraydenBlackst2

[Ferris St. Football @FerrisFootball]

RISING UP: Consistency, Strength Fuel Rise of Ferris State Offensive Lineman Ben Przytula
https://t.co/HksWTC00B5

[Cass Tech Football @Detroit_CTFB]

Pro & college camps in full swing the CFL & Arena in season, we wanted to give an update on our guys that are on current rosters. #CTFB is well represented on all levels from coast to coast! #ProTechnicians #NextLevelTechnicians #GreenGuys

* We apologize if someone is missing

[Ferris Athletics @ferrisathletics]

NATION'S TOP 10! Ferris State Volleyball chosen 10th nationally in AVCA D2 National Rankings! Go Dawgs! https://t.co/uYSuc1lETs @FerrisStVball

[Division 1 Rejects @D1_Rejects]

BIG news for #D3FB that will have the opportunity to vote on 5-year eligibility in 2027 ⬇️

[The D Zone @TheD_Zone]

Frankenmuth 2027 DT/OT Avery Simmons has committed to Ferris State

https://t.co/poO70zA769

[Ferris Athletics @ferrisathletics]

🏒❤️ A special day in Big Rapids.

The City of Big Rapids dedicated the new Daniels Family Playground at Hemlock Park in honor of the late Leslie Daniels and longtime @FerrisHockey head coach Bob Daniels.

The ceremony included the Daniels family, Bulldog hockey alums, Ferris State President Bill Pink and Mayor Fred Guenther.

[Ferris Athletics @ferrisathletics]

PRESEASON CAMP! Defending national champion Ferris State set to open fall preseason camp this weekend! First practice Monday! https://t.co/l1UmaAm3lV @FerrisFootball

[Matt Murphy 6’8” 325 LBS⭐️⭐️⭐️ @big_matt_murph]

Due to circumstances beyond my control I am no longer with the University of Memphis football program and am looking for a new home. Am open to all opportunities for teams looking for an OL

[Ferris St. Football @FerrisFootball]

Dawgs on the stage at GLIAC Media Day!

[Ferris St. Football @FerrisFootball]

Chiefs sign TE Mason Pline! https://t.co/cJmOAVu3cz

[Thomas Stokan @StokanThomas]

@BhattiLaib9960 Killed the chief

[Thomas Stokan @StokanThomas]

@KerryHolmekb No due to his age

[Thomas Stokan @StokanThomas]

@JaxonMcCaig How are you doing are you still at MSU

[Thomas Stokan @StokanThomas]

@JaxonMcCaig Jaxon how are you doing are you still at MSU

[Mike Rittelmann @MRittCGS]

🚨 Parents of High School Football Recruits

One of the biggest mistakes I see in recruiting is when parents try to take over the process instead of supporting it

College coaches are evaluating much more than film, statistics, and athletic ability. They are evaluating how a prospect communicates, handles adversity, interacts with others, and whether the family will be a positive fit within the program

Over the years, I have seen talented players miss opportunities because of poor communication, unrealistic expectations, social media issues, constant parental involvement, or simply a lack of understanding of how recruiting actually works

Some of the biggest mistakes parents make:

🔹 Speaking for their son during the recruiting process

🔹 Contacting coaches excessively

🔹 Treating camp invites as scholarship offers

🔹 Inflating height, weight, or testing numbers

🔹 Comparing their son to other recruits

🔹 Focusing too much on rankings and social media attention

🔹 Ignoring academic requirements

🔹 Chasing every camp without a recruiting plan

🔹 Becoming overly focused on NIL or one specific level of football

🔹 Creating unnecessary drama with coaches, programs, or teammates

A camp invite is not an offer. Rankings do not determine a player’s future. More camps do not automatically lead to more opportunities. And playing at the highest level possible is not always the same as finding the right fit

The best recruiting families:

✅ Allow their son to take ownership of the process

✅ Communicate professionally and respectfully

✅ Focus on academics as much as football

✅ Stay realistic about recruiting opportunities

✅ Trust the evaluation process

✅ Keep the focus on long term development and fit

Parents should focus on helping their son become the best student, athlete, and young man possible. Be supportive, be realistic, trust the process, and allow your son to take ownership of his recruitment

The families that navigate recruiting the best are usually the ones who stay humble, stay professional, and understand that recruiting is about finding the right fit, not winning a popularity contest

🏈 At the end of the day, the goal is not to win recruiting.

It is to help your son find the right school, earn a degree, continue playing football, and create opportunities that will benefit him long after his playing days are over