Question: Did Jack Lengyel and Red Dawson really recruit athletes who have never played football before when rebuilding the team?
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Answer: Yes they did. In addition to selecting football players from Marshall's Junior Varsity team, the coaches also recruited several players from other sports. Some of those athletes had never played on an organized football team previously.
BaconIsMyBFF
Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't it have been awfully risky to recruit athletes who've never played football in their lives?
Not necessarily. Since they were already collegiate level athletes, it is likely they were quite physically fit. Those who had little football experience were likely used as bench players and saw little on field action.
BaconIsMyBFF
I don't know that your statement that those who had little football were likely used, as bench players and saw little on field action is true. See, most of Marshall's experienced football players were killed in the plane crash which the movie is about.
There were about 20 freshmen players and several upperclassmen from the varsity team who weren't on the tragic flight that played the 1971 season. The majority of the team were at the very least, experienced high school players. The number of athletes on the team that had NEVER played on a football team before was low, but it was noteworthy.
BaconIsMyBFF