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The transition from high school to college athletics is an incredibly difficult task. There is not one, simple way to do it. Here on Making the Cut, we have spoken with recruited players, preferred walk-ons, and walk-ons. Today, we met with someone who is currently in the process of making the cut through prep school.

Kieron Smethers attended East Coast Prep in Great Barrington, Massachusetts this past semester. Prep schools focus on improving a student athlete in the classroom and on the field, in preparation for playing at the collegiate level. East Coast Prep is a postgraduate college football prep program that provides individuals with an opportunity to fulfill their goals at the college level by one semester of highly disciplined, intense program. East Coast Prep has three main academic and four athletic objectives.

Academically, the objectives are improvement of core GPA through NCAA approved master based online courses; improvement of SAT/ACT scores through intense two a day SAT/ACT prep course; and improved study habits/time management skills through disciplined daily study. Smethers commented that a strong academic program was a big factor in favor of East Coast Prep, especially the way the school structures their classes and practices.

Smethers finished his semester at East Coast Prep and is now waiting for the recruiting process to get underway. “It is a long and strenuous process,” stated Smethers. He also mentioned that he has heard from schools in both the PSAC and the NE10.

The best advice Smethers heard throughout this process? Enjoy the moment, stay true, stay the course. “I have played against some of the best competition in the country, and this past semester has been the greatest time of my life.”