USA TODAY High School Sports has a weekly column on the recruiting process. This isn’t about where just the top five-star athletes are headed but rather a guide to the process and the pitfalls for student-athletes nationwide from Playced.com. This week’s article is written by Ross Hawley, the president of the company. Playced.com identifies appropriate colleges for potential recruits and delivers online college planning for student athletes of all talent levels and ages.

Merriam-Webster defines the word dynasty as “A powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time.” With that definition in mind, I think it is safe to say that North Dakota State University of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, is a dynasty! The Bison are the 4-time defending FCS National Champions and enter the 2015 college football season ranked #1 in the country. Bottom line, all the Bison do is win… a lot!

Winning with regularity, at the collegiate level, is the end result to a committed and dedicated process. The start to the process is recruiting. Recently, we sat down with Bison Head Football Coach Chris Klieman to gain his insight on college recruiting and what it takes to be a part of an elite-level program, like North Dakota State University.

What advice would you have for a high school athlete not getting noticed or recruited?

I would tell that athlete to own their recruiting experience and be accountable for what they can control. Do what it takes to get noticed from the schools they are interested in. Camps are an opportunity to show your football skills and your character. They should go to camps at schools that have shown interest, and visit the schools they are interested in before their senior year. Juniors and seniors should send film of early games and not wait until the end of the season to send highlights. Remain positive, keep working hard and stay persistent with the process. If you do the right things, you will find the right fit.

How does NDSU identify and recruit potential student-athletes?

It is a long process. We watch underclassman film and try to identify prospects that fit our system. We are diligent in finding out as much as we can about a prospect from his coach, principal, teachers, and anyone that interacts with him, to find out about work ethic and character. Then we invite the prospect and family to campus during the spring. We also want to see them perform at our summer camp.

What are the most important characteristics NDSU looks for in a recruit?

We look for integrity, high morality, responsibility, a self-starter, someone that is motivated in the classroom and has a great work ethic on and off the field. We want a leader in his school and in the community, and we also like multi-sport athletes that compete year-round. We like competitive kids who aren’t afraid to make a mistake, and want to get better with the help of their coaches.

What are absolute “no-no’s” for any potential recruit?

One of the first things we look for is grades. If they don’t meet the NCAA standards, it is very difficult to justify recruiting them. Trouble with the law, or alcohol and drug use also can be hard to overcome. Beyond that, they have to show their competitiveness, toughness, and love for the game of football. If they don’t have that in high school, they will struggle in college.

What should every parent and student-athlete know about college recruiting?

It is a process. It takes time for families to build relationships with coaches and coaches with the families. It all comes down to what is the best fit for the student-athlete from an academic, athletic and social perspective. If offers are not coming, stay positive and control what you can. Stay persistent and enjoy the process, because this is a one-time experience!

What impact does being a college athlete have on a young person’s life?

It teaches great responsibility, work ethic, and how to push beyond what you think you can do physically and mentally. They can become a great teammate, a great leader, and deal with adversity. College student-athletes develop great time management skills, get a great education, and build relationships that last a lifetime.