Social Media Tips for High School Athletes Seeking College Recruitment

1. Clean Up Your Accounts

• Google yourself – see what comes up

• Delete or archive anything inappropriate (swearing, partying, offensive memes, negative comments, etc.)

• Avoid posting or reposting anything that could be viewed as controversial, offensive, or disrespectful

• Set old accounts (like TikTok or Twitter/X) to private or delete them if they don't reflect who you are today

2. Use Your Name & Sport in Your Handle or Bio

• Make it easy for coaches to find you:

  • Example: @JohnSmithQB or @SarahJones_VB

• Include key info in your bio:

  • Graduation year

  • Sport/position

  • Height/weight (if relevant)

  • High school name + location

  • GPA (if solid)

  • Contact email or Hudl link

3. Post Highlights & Training Clips

• Share short, clear videos of your:

  • Game highlights

  • Practice reps

  • Weight room sessions

  • Skill development drills

• Include captions that show your IQ (e.g. “Working on my footwork for better lateral movement”)

4. Engage With College Programs

• Like, comment on, and retweet posts from schools you’re interested in

• Politely DM coaches or tag them in a post (with a highlight clip and your info)

• Follow college teams, coaches, and recruiting pages

5. Be Authentic (But Smart)

• Show your personality — coaches want to know who you are outside your sport

• Post about your team, school events, family, community involvement, etc.

• Show leadership, sportsmanship, and gratitude in your captions and stories

6. Stay Positive

• Congratulate teammates and opponents

• Avoid complaining about coaches, refs, or playing time

• Never subtweet or post cryptic negativity — coaches notice drama

7. Highlight Academics & Character

• Share academic achievements (honor roll, test scores, etc.)

• Post awards, volunteer work, or leadership roles

• Coaches recruit character — not just athleticism

8. Be Consistent

• Stay active — post regularly, especially during your season

• Use relevant hashtags (e.g. #StudentAthlete, #QBRecruit2026, #VolleyballRecruit)

9. Link to Your Recruiting Profiles

• Add links to:

  • Hudl or YouTube highlights

  • NCSA, BeRecruited, or FieldLevel profiles

  • Personal website or portfolio (if you have one)

10. Think Before You Post

• Assume every coach, parent, and admissions officer might see your posts

• Ask yourself: "Would I want my future coach or employer to see this?"