Breaking into football operations is no easy task.

It’s a competitive field that demands both football IQ and technical expertise. Front offices, agencies, and media outlets are relying more than ever on data-driven insights to make informed decisions. Whether it’s evaluating talent, adjusting strategy, or preparing for the draft, modern football professionals must speak the language of analytics.

This raises an important question: should you focus on learning Football Analytics or mastering Pro Football Focus (PFF) Premium tools?

The most effective professionals choose both.

Understanding the distinction between these two areas—and how they complement each other—is key to developing a skill set that will get you noticed in a crowded industry.

What Is Football Analytics?

Football analytics is the foundation of data-driven decision-making in the sport.

In SMWW’s Football Analytics course, you’ll learn how to evaluate players, teams, and strategies through customized statistical models. The course covers:

• Identifying patterns and trends that impact outcomes

• Creating player evaluation models that go beyond box scores

• Understanding key metrics that matter for each position

• Translating data into actionable insights for scouting and coaching

This course is ideal for aspiring scouts, analysts, agents, and team executives who want to understand how analytics inform decisions at every level of the game.

Football analytics teaches you how to think critically about the numbers and what they reveal about player performance and game strategy.

What Is PFF—and How Is It Different?

Pro Football Focus (PFF) is one of the most widely used and respected platforms in football today.

Through SMWW’s Proficiency in PFF Premium course, you will gain access to the same tools used by NFL, NCAA, and CFL teams. This course provides hands-on instruction in how to:

• Navigate PFF’s advanced statistics and player grades

• Build scouting reports using proprietary data

• Analyze player efficiency, matchup performance, and positional value

• Create visualizations and dashboards to support decision-making

Unlike traditional analytics, PFF provides a ready-made, data-rich environment designed specifically for football professionals. Learning to use it efficiently shows that you can operate within the same systems trusted by elite teams and agencies.

Why Taking Both Courses Sets You Apart

Successful professionals understand both the why and the how behind performance data.

By combining Football Analytics with Proficiency in PFF Premium, you will be able to:

• Build custom metrics and models from the ground up

• Use industry-standard tools to generate real-time insights

• Support decisions with both independent analysis and platform-based data

• Create polished reports that resonate with scouts, executives, and agents

• Demonstrate versatility in interviews and professional settings

Professionals who know how to analyze from scratch—and also how to interpret PFF’s structured data—bring added value to any organization.

Hiring managers notice candidates who have a complete toolkit.

Learn Directly from Industry Experts

Both courses are taught by respected leaders in football analytics with real-world experience.

The Football Analytics course is led by Aaron Schatz, FTN Network’s Chief Analytics Officer and widely known as the Godfather of DVOA. As a pioneer in modern football analysis, Aaron’s work helped shape the foundation of how advanced metrics are used to evaluate teams and players across the NFL.

The Proficiency in PFF Premium course is taught by Steve Palazzolo, one of the original six who helped launch PFF and grow it into the industry-leading platform it is today. Steve also serves as the host of The 33rd Team’s “Check the Mic” and brings deep expertise on how data is used in real-world scouting, evaluation, and team strategy.

This is not textbook learning. These are practical, job-focused skills that help you deliver value from day one.

Build a Career Without Hitting Pause

Many SMWW students are working full-time, raising families, or transitioning careers. These courses are built to fit your life.

With live mentorship, eight-week online learning modules, and real-world assignments, you can begin building your resume in football analytics and scouting without quitting your job or moving cities.

Each course provides not only knowledge, but a clear pathway to opportunities in scouting, analytics, player representation, and media.

Your Next Move Starts Here

Choosing between Football Analytics and PFF is no longer necessary. Mastering both gives you a strategic edge.

One course teaches you how to build the models. The other shows you how to use the tools the pros already trust. Together, they form a complete foundation for a career in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

You do not need to figure this out alone. SMWW’s expert advisors and mentors are ready to help you create a personalized game plan for breaking into football.

This is your opportunity to stand out. Make it count.

Explore the Courses:

Football Analytics

Proficiency in PFF Premium