It seems to me there are far more Kiwi-raised players currently fashioning a pro career after not taking the US college route than those who do. Are the college bound kids just more realistic about their chances in pro football?
Maybe they have been overlooked both locally and nationally because the nepotism in NZ Football. They have given up on NZ an see America as a free market where if you are good enough you will succeed and where the level of coaching/facilities is higher. A lot do not have a European passport or connections and specifically parents who can afford private academies. There more than 50 boys at US colleges last year getting a good education plus enjoying football.
But most don't kick on football-wise to pro; and I'm wondering if it's the college system itself. Currently playing MLS/USL/other pro league who have been through college system - Boxall Bros, Cory Brown, Kyle Adams, Kip Colvey, Sam Brotehrton + not too many more.
The list of current players making a pro career of sorts without US college is much greater.
The US College system is results based rather than developmental & with a a roster of 28/30 many players get no game time. The football standard of Colleges is very mixed.Just because a college is NCAA Div 1 doesn't necessarily make it "good". Colleges can choose to switch between Divisions (I,II,III) eg. Pfeiffer won Div II but switched to Div III & being in a certain Division is based on the number of sports they offer, what scholarships they are allowed to offer etc.
Some US coaches here dont think it is now the best football route for those with genuine potential to go pro & are prepared to forego further education.
Of course, each to their own & depends what the "student athlete" wants to get out of the experience etc