For some young athletes, getting the attention of college coaches can be very tough, even if they've got an abundance of talent. Those located in smaller, more rural towns have it the toughest, but Washington, Missouri native Ryan Hoerstkamp wasn't going to let that get in the way of earning an offer to play college at the next level. The junior tight end went from zero offers at the beginning of the year to seven mid-way through February.

“Recruitment went from no offers to (seven), it’s been really cool honestly," Hoerstkamp said. "My twitter DMs are full of coaches I’ve tried to contact since freshman year. I just wanted to play ball. The goal’s always been DI, but I’ve got coaches from every level in my DMs, most times they don’t respond but I stayed consistent with it. Kentucky watched my film and offered, it’s taken off ever since.

“You almost have to get to the point where you’re annoying the coaches. It paid off in the end. I tell guys, ‘just hit up anyone on staff. If they look at your film they could pass it on to someone who could offer.’"

A few days after Kentucky offered Hoerstkamp, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound tight end received a call from the University of Arkansas. Since then he's added Arkansas State, Memphis, Cincinnati and more.

“Arkansas has been really good about staying in contact with me,” Hoerstkamp said. “I’ve talked to them about anything from shoveling snow to basketball. Coach Cooper is doing a good job. I really liked Arkansas as a little kid, I don’t know why. I didn’t know the coaches that came from Missouri since I didn’t get any looks from colleges until January.”