If you want to play college football, you’ve got to treat yourself like a brand — because college football is a business. That means marketing yourself, showing off your skills, and proving to coaches that you’re serious, coachable, and a great fit for their team and school.
Yes, you need game film and support from your coaches — but even more important is how you communicate with college coaches. You have to help them get to know you — not just as a player, but as a person.
The Odds: Why You Need to Stand Out
There are nearly 1 million high school football players. Approximately300,000 of them are seniors. Only around 3,600 of them are ranked (2-star to5-star). That’s just 1.2%. If you’re in that group, congratulations, coaches are probably already reaching out to you.
But for the other 98.8%, you need to get noticed. And the way to do that is through smart communication and building your brand.
Step-by-Step Game Plan to Get Recruited
We’ll dive deeper into each step in future blog posts, but here’s the roadmap:
Step 1: Get Organized
Before you start reaching out to coaches, get your stuff together. Think of it like packaging yourself up so coaches can easily understand what you bring to the table.
a. Create Your Highlight Reel
Your highlight reel is your trailer. Make it short — 10to 15 plays is enough. Choose clips that show how you move, your intensity, and how you react even when things don’t go perfectly. You don’t have to be a starter — just show effort, athleticism, and football IQ.
b. Set Up an X (Twitter) Account
X is where college coaches hang out. Think of it like your personal sports profile. Post highlights, workouts, grades, academic stuff, and team support. Keep it about football, sports, and school only. Don’t repost tons of random stuff — this account is about you.
c. Make a Dedicated Email
Use something like JohnSmith44@gmail.com that matches your X handle. This makes it easier for coaches to remember and contact you.
d. Pick Target Schools
Start figuring out what level you might play at: FBS, FCS,D2, D3, or NAIA. Talk with your high school coach or get a third-party evaluation to help figure this out honestly. Then, build a list of 20–30schools based on:
- Location
- Academics
- Campus life
- Size
- Cost
- Football division
Try to split your list:
- 50% realistic fits
- 30% reach schools
- 20% dream schools
e. Fill Out Recruiting Questionnaires
Every school on your list has a "Prospective Athlete Questionnaire" on their website. Fill these out — even if you don’t have everything (like SAT scores) ready yet. It helps get you on their radar.
Step 2: Reach Out to Coaches
Use Signing Day CRM to find coaches at the schools you’re targeting. Follow them on X. Check out their bios — they often say what region they recruit.
If you find the coach for your state or region (“area coach”),start there, even if they don’t coach your position. That coach is usually your first connection.
Reach out via X and email. (We’ll share templates in a future post.)
Pro Tip: Use a clear, non-cringey subject line. “Texas Linebacker Ready to Play” = automatic delete. Also, don’t use mass recruiting services to email coaches — they’ll know, and ignore it.
Step 3: Stay Active on X
This is where coaches will check you out, so build a strong profile. Include:
- Height/weight
- Position(s)
- High school (and state)
- GPA
- Cell & email
- Any awards or honors
Pin your highlight reel at the top of your page.
Then, post at least once a week:
- Game clips
- Workouts
- Nutrition or training updates
- Pictures from games or visits
- Team achievements
Also: like and reply to college coaches’ posts when it makes sense. Read your feed daily to learn about their teams and events.
Step 4: Get Invited to Junior Days
Once you’ve reached out, coaches may start following you back — maybe even messaging you.
Your next goal: get invited to Junior Days (if you’re a junior). These are either on Zoom or in person. If invited to a virtual one, always attend. If you’re not invited, politely ask a coach if you can join.
In-person Junior Days are a chance to visit the school, meet the coaches, and learn about their program. They’re not workouts — just a way to show you’re serious about their school.
Post pics or updates from any Junior Days on X.
Step 5: Attend Camps (Summer)
As you start seeing which schools are showing interest, find out which camps they’ll be at. Camps are where coaches can watch you live.
Some are invite-only, others are open to everyone. Some camps are hosted by a single school, while others have multiple colleges attending. Prioritize camps where you’ll get in front of your top schools.
Post camp updates and pictures on X — this shows you’re active and improving.
Step 6: Keep Communicating
Keep talking to coaches and showing your interest. Ask questions like:
- “Where do I stand in your recruiting process?”
- “What’s the best way for me to stay on your radar?”
Continue posting updates — workouts, grades, camps, etc. As offers come in, post them. It creates momentum and shows others that schools believe in you.
Keep grinding until Signing Day — that’s when things are official. Some offers come late, so don’t give up.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a ranked player to get recruited — you just need to work smart, stay consistent, and treat this like a job. Market yourself, communicate well, and keep building relationships with coaches.
Your future is in your hands. Let’s get it.
April 22, 2025