The 7-on-7 circuit has taken off in recent years, and many say it resembles the AAU basketball circuit in more ways than most football coaches would like.  

However, some of the top athletes in the country still compete in the elite 7-on-7 circuits powered by the big shoe companies, drawing much attention from writers across the country.  But coaches still universally agree that actual game film is definitely more valuable in determining if they want to provide an athlete a scholarship offer...in comparison to evaluating 7-on-7 film.  

After one of Clemson University's football camps, Dabo Swinney offered some thoughts on how he and his staff factor in player 7-on-7 performances in comparison with actual game film.  

“You’re not going to last very long if you’re making all your evaluations off from a 7-on-7 tape,” Dabo explained.  He also added that seeing a guy play between the lines is much more important than combine numbers or 7-on-7 film.

Dabo then referenced current Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Adam Humphries as an example to evaluating game play.  Humphries only had 1 scholarship offer out of high school - Clemson University - and went on to start 27 games, appearing in 53 games total for the Tigers.  After having a productive Pro Day, running a 4.53 40 yard dash, he went on to sign a free agent deal with the Buccaneers and has since played a key role on the team with 61 receptions and 631 yards.  

Many players get overlooked by the combine circuit and recruiting rankings - and some players have awesome measurables and are not good football players while some players have not-so-great measurables and are GREAT football players.  This is why Coach Swinney says game film is still very important.

“If you’re not using football tape to evaluate, you’re probably going to make a lot of mistakes.”

Listen to Dabo Swinney's full thoughts in the video below.