COLLEGIATE RECRUITING
When it comes to college recruiting, X, previously Twitter, is the preferred platform for both coaches and student-athletes. Over 95 percent of student-athletes surveyed say they have an X account, and nearly all coaches actively use the platform to communicate with recruits and promote team content. The platform allows users to boost their online presence and make fast, direct connections. How to use X to get recruited varies based on sport. X is widely used for all sports but is most prevalent in football, baseball, and men’s and women’s basketball.
High school student-athletes should use social media smartly and strategically to enhance their recruiting profile. Social media can be highly beneficial or disastrously detrimental, depending on how it’s used. You are always being watched, so knowing who you are and how you behave when you think nobody is paying attention is crucial.
Establish your identity
Use your real name for both your username and handle. Coaches can’t recruit you if they can’t recognize you. If you have a common name, add a middle initial, jersey number, or position abbreviation to your handle to make it unique.
Be consistent with your profile pic. Find one great, clear photo, preferably uniform, and use it consistently on your social media accounts and online recruiting profile. That way, you are more easily recognized without mistaking you for someone else.
Include your high school or club team. Coaches want to know your current team for several reasons. For example, it can help gauge your current level of competition, or they may know your current coach.
Don’t forget your class year, GPA, and test scores. Coaches want to know your class year as that will help determine when and how they communicate with you as a potential
recruit. If you have a strong GPA and test scores, include them in your X profile to inform college coaches.What position(s) do you play? Put your primary position first, but include any other position experience.
Add key sports stats and measurements. Include your height, weight, and sport-specific stats to help you stand out from other recruits. For example, include your velocity for baseball, wingspan for basketball, or 40-yard dash time for football.
Include a link to your online profile and highlight the video. Coaches don’t have much time and will want to get right to your highlight or skills video for most sports. Athletes should seize every opportunity to get their highlight video before a college coach.
Be sport-specific with your background image. Getting exposure online means you do what you can to set yourself apart and make yourself accessible to find. A sport-specific background, combined with your profile pic, makes it much easier for coaches and scouts to know they’ve come to the right place.
Source: NCSA
Sample Profiles
Do This
Follow college coaches and programs you’re interested in
Tweet and share about your achievements and goals
Tweet your video highlights
Reply to college coaches and other recruiters
Announce offers you receive to gain attention
Send Direct Messages (DMs) to college coaches
Manage your social media accounts carefully and avoid inappropriate posts
Examples
