Social Media and the world of College Football Recruiting can go together like two peas in a pod. Sometimes the results are not positive.
Too often in today's world, we see a recruit cross the line on social media and do something that will, at the very least, paint themselves in a bad light. In worse case scenarios, we've seen it potentially impact the actual recruitment of a player.
It's certainly not going away, so instead of abusing it, let's adapt a way we use it. Social Media can be used for good as well, and when utilized correctly, it can be extremely helpful, especially for a small high school football recruit.
Big 5-star recruits may not need to utilize it, but lesser known recruits, can really benefit from using social media.
Here are some ways that college football recruits can use social media to their advantage.
Separate Your Personal Life From Football:
This is the kind of advice that I would give to a high-school student or even a young college student trying to get a job.
You have to separate your personal and private life, especially on social media. If that means you have to create two separate accounts, one for being a kid and one for football, then by all means be smart and do that.
What many recruits don't realize is that the recruiting process for them is essentially one very long job interview. Not only does it lead to a potential free education, the experience of a life time and multiple extremely valuable contacts, but also for some - it leads to big time football.
Don't be naive enough to think that college coaches and their staff do not monitor the Facebook pages and Twitter handles of all recruits that are on their target lists. Let's throw in Pintrest, Instagram or even a personal blog.
After all, if it's on the internet, then its public domain.
The best thing a recruit can do on social media is to stand out by not standing out. Believe me, your positive interactions will be noticed just as much as somebody else's negative ones.
Keeping the Cussing To A Minimum:
This is really a piggyback point off the last one, but there is so much you can say about this topic that it's worth talking about.
Please keep the swearing to a minimum. I like to mumble a bad word under my breath now and then, but if there's anything I have learned in my 52 years of life, it's that there's a time and place for everything.
Dropping a four-letter word in a private text to your best buddies is one thing. Constantly doing the same thing on social media is another though - especially on Twitter, where millions of people who don't know you personally can follow you.
I know as a coach, writer and a manager in business that what I say publicly represents myself, but it also represents The "A & B" Football Report. As a recruit, you have to be wise enough to know that saying something on social media is just like saying it in public.
Represent yourself in a professional manner on social media, because that's how colleges that recruit you are going to expect you as a member of their football or basketball program.
Nothing makes me cringe more than when I watch a recruits video only to be greeted by a symphony of swear words coming from a song they decided to dub over their highlight tape.
I guarantee you that Nick Saban doesn't turn up the music on a recruits highlight film. It may pump you up to watch your highlight film, but it's not realistic and it's certainly not pumping college coaches up.
Remember, you are always representing yourself.
Links To You Tube or Hudl Video Packages:
When done well and correctly, highlight tapes can be a great way to build hype, if only amongst a fan base or the recruiting community.
Most high school coaches will send actual game footage and not just a highlight tape to a college coach to watch.
A smart recruit will get a great video package done and link that out on Facebook, Twitter or even start e-mailing it to coaches and recruiting analysts.
Interact With Recruiting Analysts:
Recruiting Analysts love Facebook and Twitter. It's a way that we interact with recruiting fans, get our work out there and sometimes keep tabs on you - the recruit.
Most are extremely friendly and helpful in regards to social media, and even just striking up a conversation with an analyst or expert can help you increase your overall exposure as a recruit.
As a recruit, I can't think of a better contact to have outside of the actual football program. Hype and momentum are two huge factors in recruiting, and like it or not and for better or worse, the media plays a role in both.
Rise Above The Hate:
Rise above the Hate, because there will be plenty of it. Don't get baited by "trolls" that just want to see you flip your lid. Don't worry when a fan base applauds you as a hero and turns around the next day after you decommitt and threatens your very existence.
Fan is short for fanatic, and the Internet allows the craziest of fanatics to have a voice.
One of the worse things a recruit can do on social media is get baited into an argument, because that's when all the rules go out the window. The "troll" has nothing to lose but the recruit has everything to lose.
In a social media world where we've become used to athletes constantly putting their foot in their mouth, a recruit that can handle him or herself with class, dignity and responsibility on social media will be a breath of fresh air.
Be the bigger person and stand out in a positive way. Use it to your advantage!!
