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    Recruiting Guide

    Social Media Do's and Don'ts for College Recruits

    College coaches WILL look at your social media. Learn what helps your recruiting chances, what hurts them, and how to build a positive online presence.

    Like it or not, coaches will look at your social media. Your online presence can help your recruiting—or destroy it. Here's how to make sure your digital footprint works in your favor.

    ⚠️ Real Talk:

    Coaches and athletic departments routinely search recruits' social media accounts. One bad post can cost you a scholarship offer. This isn't paranoia—it's documented fact.

    The Do's ✅

    Post Content That Helps You

    • Highlight clips: Short videos of great plays, training sessions
    • Team celebrations: Shows you're a good teammate
    • Academic achievements: Honor roll, awards, college acceptances
    • Community service: Volunteering, charity work, leadership
    • Training and workouts: Shows dedication and work ethic
    • Positive interactions: Encouraging teammates, sportsmanship

    Make Your Accounts Discoverable

    • Use your real name (or a professional variation)
    • Include your graduation year, position, and school in bio
    • Link to your highlight video or player profile
    • Keep your profile photo appropriate and identifiable
    💡 Pro Tip:

    Create a separate "recruiting" account if you want to keep personal and athletic content separate. But remember: nothing online is truly private.

    The Don'ts ❌

    Content That Hurts You

    Never Post:
    • Alcohol or drug references: Even jokes can disqualify you
    • Explicit or vulgar language: Profanity reflects poorly on character
    • Negative comments about coaches, teammates, or refs: Shows poor attitude
    • Political rants or controversial takes: Creates unnecessary risk
    • Inappropriate photos or videos: Use your judgment (or your mom's)
    • Bullying or mean-spirited content: Instant red flag
    • Complaints about your current team or school: Coaches wonder what you'll say about them

    Behaviors to Avoid

    • Getting into arguments in comment sections
    • Sharing or liking problematic content from others
    • Posting excessively (looks like you have no life outside social media)
    • Being negative, cynical, or complaining regularly

    Platform-by-Platform Guide

    Twitter/X 🐦

    Best for: Direct coach interaction, sharing updates, following programs. Many coaches use Twitter actively. Keep it professional and positive.

    Instagram 📸

    Best for: Highlight clips, team photos, personal brand. Use Stories for day-to-day content, keep your grid clean and professional.

    TikTok 🎵

    Best for: Short highlight clips, training videos, personality. Be careful with trends—some are inappropriate or will age poorly. When in doubt, don't post it.

    Snapchat 👻

    Be aware: Coaches can't see your snaps, but screenshots exist. Content you think "disappears" can still get shared and create problems.

    The Social Media Audit

    Before you start contacting coaches, clean up your online presence:

    🔍 Your Social Media Checklist

    • ☐ Google yourself—see what comes up
    • ☐ Review every post from the past 2-3 years
    • ☐ Delete anything questionable (when in doubt, delete it)
    • ☐ Check what you're tagged in—untag if necessary
    • ☐ Review your followers and following lists
    • ☐ Check your likes and comments on other posts
    • ☐ Ask a parent or coach to review your accounts
    • ☐ Set up Google Alerts for your name

    Building a Positive Presence

    Don't just avoid negatives—actively build a positive brand:

    • Post 2-3x per week — Stay active without overdoing it
    • Engage authentically — Comment positively on coaches' and programs' posts
    • Share your journey — Let people see your work ethic and growth
    • Be a good teammate online — Hype up your teammates' achievements
    • Show personality — Be yourself, just the best version of yourself

    📌 Key Takeaways

    1. Coaches WILL check — Assume every post will be seen
    2. When in doubt, don't post — It's not worth the risk
    3. Audit your accounts — Clean up before contacting coaches
    4. Build a positive brand — Let social media work FOR you
    5. Nothing is truly private — Even "disappearing" content can be screenshotted

    📚 Continue Your Recruiting Journey

    Social media is one piece of your recruiting presence. Build the complete package:

    Related Resources

    Ready to Put This Into Practice?

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