Brad Engelberg of Caledonia is the proud father of a college football player. His son’s journey to the field was not an easy one – it involved a rigorous recruiting process that educated them both on the valuable insights on how to navigate this competitive world. In the following article, Brad Engelberg shares what he learned, the dedication and hard work required to make it to the next level, and just how important social media can be in the process.

The college football recruiting sphere and social media go hand-in-hand. However, the outcomes aren’t always positive. Many times, recruits can unknowingly paint themselves in a bad light and potentially impact their chances. But athletes can harness the power of social media to highlight their talents and be seen by a wider array of schools.

Brad Engelberg of Caledonia reports that research shows, 59% of recruiters rated candidates sourced through social media as “highest quality”. So, managing social profiles can provide a significant advantage for athletes looking to outperform their competitors. Below are five ways to ensure the impacts of online public places are positive factors for college football recruits across the country.

Separate Personal Life from Football for Success

From obtaining a job to securing an athletic position at a university, separating personal from professional life serves candidates well. This may mean creating separate accounts — one for football, one for private communications. However, be mindful of what and how you post on BOTH.

Brad Engelberg explains that many athletes fail to realize that the recruiting process is essentially an ultra-long-winded interview, potentially leading to a free education, the ultimate sports-based experience, and even the NFL.

College coaches and school staff monitor everything from Twitter feeds and Facebook pages of their target recruits, however TikTok and YouTube are the most popular platforms to catch highlights of the player in action.

Present Yourself Positively

Brad Engelberg of Caledonia reports that words and images posted online are a representation of who you are. For social media to have a positive impact on recruits, they must conduct themselves in a professional manner. After all, college coaches are looking for future athletes to represent the team, the school, and the staff in a positive light.

This also applies to highlight videos. Recruiters don’t take kindly to foul language blasting from a candidate’s highlight reels.

Highlight Videos Can Boost Chances

When done well, highlight reels are a fantastic way to create hype in the recruiting community. Even though high school coaches typically send game footage and personal recommendations to college coaches, key highlights tweeted or posted online by one-, two-, or three-star recruits can really boost the chances of success.

The brightest recruits leverage the overwhelming power of social media by creating video packages on Facebook, YouTube, or TikTok, linking or tagging them to coaches and analysts. Brad Engelberg of Caledonia says that all it takes is the right person to notice it for the college football experience to begin.

Interact with Recruiting Analysts

Recruiting analysts adore Twitter and Facebook; it’s the easiest way to interact with fans, and recruits.

Experts state candidates who foster healthy online relationships with these analysts through social media increase their overall exposure, boosting their chances of obtaining the football placement they’ve worked so hard for.

Brad Engelberg explains that analysts often form public opinions of athletes and potential recruits. Not to mention they’re also the people who are constantly collecting the latest recruitment information and news.

For athletes, having a network of recruitment analysts on their side builds both traction and hype.

Disengage and Overcome Negativity

In today’s digital age, dealing with internet hate is unfortunately a common occurrence, especially for athletes in the public eye. However, rising above this negativity and cultivating a positive online presence can be a powerful tool for college football recruiting.

Brad Engelberg of Caledonia says that by staying authentic, showcasing their skills and work ethic, and engaging with fans and coaches in a respectful manner, recruits can demonstrate their value as athletes and as individuals, ultimately setting themselves apart from the competition.

Conclusion

The college football recruiting process can be a challenging and highly competitive journey, but with the right mindset and approach, athletes can set themselves up for success. Maintaining a positive social media presence is just one aspect of this process, but it is an important one. An athlete’s online presence can truly make a difference in how they are perceived by coaches, fans, and peers.

By staying true to themselves, their values, showcasing their skills and character, and rising above internet hate, college athletes can position themselves for success both on and off the field. With determination, hard work, and a thoughtful social media strategy, the sky’s the limit for the next generation of college football stars.