You see it all the time.

Too often, actually.

A high school football player looks for a place to play in college — at as high a level as possible — and lands a scholarship or preferred walk-on opportunity.

The player reports there the following summer and discovers, maybe a year later, that he’s not going to see much action on the field. Getting himself a spot on the special teams unit may be the best he can do.

So after a year or two of disappointment and frustratation, he transfers to a smaller school.

Sound familiar? It should.

For some of these kids, the idea of furthering their education almost gets in the way of finding a way to extend their high school football glory.

Slippery Rock University has 19 transfers on its roster this season. Indiana (Pa.) and California (Pa.) usually have more than that. Clarion, Edinboro, Seton Hill, etc., they’re all getting kids “stepping down” from Division I programs to give themselves a chance to play more football.

Here are some guidelines high school players should consider when looking for a college to play for.

1. Forget about the NFL. It should play no factor in your decision. None. If you are good enough to play there, the NFL will find you.

When Seneca Valley graduate Brandon Fusco decided to go to SRU, the NFL was the farthest thing from his mind. He would have laughed at such a notion.

He’ll be starting at guard for the Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field on Sunday.

Andre Reed went to Kutztown to play college football. He wasn’t thinking NFL. The former Buffalo Bill receiver is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame now.

2. Go somewhere that has the major you want.

Use college to lay the foundation for a career. Use your football skills to set that up.

3. Go somewhere where you can play for three or four years. After that, you probably won’t play again.

Football builds life skills. Use them.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle