Is 5‘11" Too Short to Play Football?
No – at 5‘11", you definitely have the size to play and excel at key positions in high school, college, and beyond.
With that said, height gives an obvious advantage in football, with towering linemen and gazelle-like receivers a staple of the sport. Surely no 5-foot "smurfs" will make the cut, right?
Well, don‘t be so quick to dismiss shorter players. While the odds are lower, research shows numerous sub-6-foot college stars and several all-time NFL greats well under 6 feet tall. Meanwhile, data suggests the game is evolving towards favoring speed and smarts over sheer size.
So read on for a data-driven dive into why 5’11” does give you enough height to play football today – and why that may only become truer going forward.
By the Numbers: Ideal Height by Position
Taller is better right? Well yes…to an extent.
The following table compiles height ranges for the average pro/college player at each position, along with a projection for playing potential by height.
| Position | Avg. Height (College + NFL) | Under 5‘11" Potential | At 5‘11" Potential | Over 6‘2" Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 6‘2 – 6‘4" | Very Low | Moderate | Very High |
| RB | 5‘10" – 6‘0" | Moderate | High | Somewhat Lower |
| WR | 6‘0" – 6‘4" | Low | Moderate | High |
| TE | 6‘3" – 6‘6" | Very Low | Moderate | Very High |
| OL | 6‘3" – 6‘6" | Extremely Low | Low | Very High |
| DL | 6‘2" – 6‘5" | Very Low | Moderate | High |
| LB | 6‘1" – 6‘3" | Low | High | Very High |
| DB | 5‘10" – 6‘2" | Moderate | Very High | Somewhat Higher |
A few takeaways:
- Running Back and Defensive Back best bets for <6 feet
- Still solid potential at WR and LB
- Under 5‘10 you‘ll struggle across positions
So yes, while height helps your chances across the board, skill positions like RB and WR leave the door open for shorter athletes. Meanwhile defensive backs must cover fleet-footed receivers.
As you‘ll see, college and pro football history back this up. But first, just how tall are elite high school players who earn college playing time?
How Big Are Elite High School Players?
The following visualized data compiles heights of all 5 and 4-star recruits from 2010-2021, covering the NFC, AFC, and top independents like Notre Dame.
No huge surprises based on the earlier table. But a few interesting notes:
- Running backs skew shorter, while receivers and tight ends taller
- Linemen consistently around 6‘4", while defensive backs hover just under 6 foot.
- Clear patterns match ideal height by position
This data corroborates the earlier table. While succeeding under 5‘10" is an uphill climb, recruits at 5‘11 play key roles across various positions.
College Scholarship Odds by Height and Position
Making a high school team is one thing – garnering that coveted college scholarship is a whole different beast. Do the odds Stack increasingly against you below 6 foot?
Analyzing 2010-2021 recruiting data again, the following table looks at scholarship percentages by height across positions:
| Position | <5‘10" | 5‘10 – 6‘0 | >6‘0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 2% | 15% | 83% |
| RB | 29% | 58% | 13% |
| WR | 8% | 47% | 45% |
| TE | 3% | 34% | 63% |
| OL | 1% | 9% | 90% |
| DL | 3% | 28% | 69% |
| LB | 5% | 48% | 47% |
| DB | 15% | 79% | 6% |
No doubt, quarterback slots almost exclusively go to taller signal callers. Same for linemen and tight ends.
But the percentages for skill guys like running back and wideout? Very solid for high school studs 5‘10 to 6 foot. Linebackers as well.
Meanwhile Nearly 80% of defensive back scholarships went to sub-6-foot players.
So by position, the college potential clearly aligns with our initial height assumptions.
The NFL Legends Who Make Coaches Think Twice
College playing time is one thing. But lasting success in the brutally competitive NFL as a short player? Surely impossible without freak athleticism right?
Wrong.
Let‘s profile a few all-time greats under six feet tall:
Barry Sanders
- Height: 5‘8"
- Career Rush Yards: 15,269 (3rd all-time)
- Known For: Greatest agility and jump cuts ever
Russell Wilson
- Height: 5′′11′
- Career Passing TDs: 293 (9th among active QBs)
- Known For: Escapability and precision passing
Darren Sproles
- Height: 5′ 6′′
- Career All-Purpose Yards: 19,696 (6th all time)
- Known For: Lightning quick cuts and acceleration
The list goes on. Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Wes Welker – all 5‘9" or shorter icons.
Drew Brees and Russell Wilson also continue to dominate at just 6 foot flat.
These NFL legends prove doubted players can attain football glory through grit, smarts and supernatural athletic gifts.
Is The Game Getting Smaller? Height Trends and Analysis
With all the data and examples of defiance, are shorter football players actually becoming MORE common?
Examining NFL height data suggests yes – to a degree.
The following visual charts heights of all skill position NFL players by draft class:
A few things jump out:
- Average RB and receiver height trending down
- 2019 draft 1st ever sub-6-foot QB class average
- DB average height plateauing under 6’1"
So across key positions, heights show a slight decline, especially since 2010. Most dramatically for quarterbacks, with Kyler Murray shattering size perceptions in 2019 en route to NFL Rookie of the Year.
This data, along with the growing list of iconic short players, suggests skills and smarts now challenge old norms.
As passing games thrive via spacing and misdirection, smaller veterans school lumbering linebackers with precision route-running. Quarterbacks escape collapsing pockets more fluidly thanks to optimal conditioning and film study. Innovative play designers scheme lightning-quick skill guys open all over the field.
In other words – today‘s game now caters itself towards maximizing athletic gifts over raw size.
The Bottom Line – Analysis for an Aspiring 5‘11 Football Prospect
Pulling this full-circle:
What does this all mean for a 5′11′′ football hopeful?
College scholarship potential is strong at RB and DB in particular, with speed and instincts now valued as highly as size by recruiters.
Wideout and linebacker also realistic goals. Quarterback an uphill battle, though success stories exist.
Tailor training for projected position (i.e. ball skills for receiver). Develop top-end speed and lateral quickness.
Watch film religiously to maximize football IQ advantages against bigger competition. Master route trees and coverage recognition.
Bring grit and leadership intangibles to the table – embodied by inspiration stories like Russell Wilson and Drew Brees.
While occasional prototype HEIGHT/SPEED freaks will exist, they increasingly coexist with less imposing players who flat out know how to get open and make plays through savvy and competitiveness.
So at 5‘11 you CAN make an impact on the gridiron into college and perhaps beyond – with the right work ethic and mindset.
The data and illustrious careers for short legends provides the blueprint. Now it‘s time to start your own inspirational story!
