Social media has transformed the way we connect and communicate, and this transformation has significantly impacted college recruiting. As a prospective student-athlete, your online presence plays a critical role in shaping opportunities and making impressions. In this article, we’ll explore the rules and regulations governing social media interactions and share key strategies to ensure your posts have a positive effect on your recruiting process.
Rules Surrounding Social Media: Tap, Don’t Type
In August 2016, the NCAA introduced the "Click, Don't Type" or "Click, Don't Comment" recruiting rule, now more commonly known as the "Tap, Don't Type" rule.
13.10.1.9 Exception - Actions That Indicate Approval of Content on Social Media Platforms. An athletics department staff member may take actions (e.g., "like," "favorite," republish, etc.) on social media platforms that indicate approval of content on social media platforms that was generated by users of the platforms other than institutional staff members or representatives of an institution's athletics interests. (See Bylaw 11.3.2.4.)
(Adopted: 4/28/16 effective 8/1/16)
This rule specifies how college coaches can interact with student-athletes' social media posts: college coaches can like, share, or repost content, but they cannot publicly respond to the athlete.
For example, if a high school athlete posts on X (formerly Twitter) about their recent performance in a game, a college coach can click the like button or the reshare button. However, they are not allowed to react with a direct response to that post, even if the response contains a thumbs-up emoji.
This bylaw restricts college coaches' actions, not the prospective student-athletes. As a recruit, while there are few restrictions on your social media use, avoid publicly messaging a coach. They cannot respond until you've signed with their program, potentially creating an awkward or even negative impression.
Other Important Rules to Know: Direct Messages and Public Posting
Depending on the sport and division, NCAA DI coaches can typically send direct messages (DMs) on social media platforms (X, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) as soon as the contact period of that sport begins. June 15th and September 1st of the student-athlete's junior year are the most common dates for this, but some sports may use a different contact date, which you can find in our article here. Rules surrounding social media DM’s closely mirror those that apply to contacting coaches through email. This means that college coaches of NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, and JUCO programs can have DM conversations with high school-aged student-athletes regardless of their grad year.
Though DMs can be a fast and effective way to connect, remember that not all coaches prefer or prioritize this method, so immediate responses aren’t always guaranteed.
In terms of publicly commenting on a student-athlete's posts, the rules for college coaches are a bit different:
- NCAA DI and DII: DI and DII college coaches are not allowed to publicly comment on a student-athlete's posts until the athlete has signed a written offer of athletic aid to their institution. This typically happens in November of a student-athlete’s senior year, but could happen later.
- NCAA DIII: DIII college coaches can announce a commitment via social media with a post and picture after a student-athlete submits their tuition deposit, confirming their attendance at the school the following year. A college coach cannot publicly tag or link a committed prospective student-athlete until after January 1st of their senior year, even if they have already submitted their tuition deposit.
- NJCAA: JUCO coaches currently have no specific restrictions on public comments or interactions with recruits' social media posts, as the NJCAA removed their social media policy in April 2024. However, NJCAA coaches must not make any statements or share content (including social media posts) that imply a student-athlete has signed an NJCAA Letter of Intent until the signing is official.
- NAIA: NAIA coaches have no specific limitations publicly commenting on a recruit’s social media post, but cannot initiate contact with student-athletes who have enrolled at another NAIA institution.
How College Coaches Use Social Media
It's important to know which social media websites are used by those involved in recruiting. While newer applications like TikTok change how we communicate, platforms like Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) are where college coaches often monitor prospective student-athletes. Even on apps like Snapchat, understand that anything you post, even with a private account, can easily be seen by coaches from programs you're interested in.
How Student Athletes Use Social Media
While social media offers a powerful platform to share experiences and opinions, it’s important to remember that anything posted publicly is open to interpretation and subject to judgment from anyone online. We support student-athletes who want to use their social media to promote their passions, but encourage thoughtful posting. If you're unsure about how something may be perceived, consider asking a high school or club coach for their input.
Best Practices for Using Social Media in Recruiting:
- Promote your athletic and academic achievements, as well as your community involvement, to highlight your character and contributions.
- Add your SportsRecruits profile link to your social media bios (e.g., Instagram, pinned tweets) to make it easy for coaches to learn more about you.
- Follow coaches and programs you're interested in to stay informed and show your interest.
- Be mindful of how often you post — excessive posting can be a red flag for coaches.
- Consider the impact of announcing offers — while it can show desirability, it might deter some programs if they sense you prefer other schools.
- Communicate with coaches professionally and authentically:
- Respond promptly and respectfully.
- Use appropriate language.
- Avoid sending late-night messages.
- Showcase your personality and ask thoughtful questions.
- Keep notifications on so you don't miss important messages.
Social Media Platforms to Use During the Recruiting Process
Below, we discuss the different social media platforms that student-athletes can utilize in their recruiting process:
- X (Formerly Twitter): Coaches use X to stay updated on potential recruits and communicate via direct messages.
- Instagram: Instagram is a key platform for athletes to showcase their abilities and personality, and for coaches to evaluate potential recruits.
- TikTok: TikTok has become a major platform where student-athletes can promote themselves, particularly with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.
- YouTube: YouTube is valuable for posting highlight reels and skills videos, which coaches use for evaluation. However, remember you can have all of your recruiting video on your SportsRecruits profile and receive notifications of what college programs are watching your clips. If you’re posting your highlights to YouTube, make sure to embed those videos in your SportsRecruits profile.
Should My Social Media Be Private?
To answer this question as simply as possible, do not put yourself in a situation where you need to make your accounts private. Remember that even if your account is private, someone who follows you can go onto your profile and screenshot anything you’ve posted without much trouble at all.
It may be good practice to first make your social media accounts private and then go through all of your social media activity to see if everything is appropriate. While reviewing each post, you should ask yourself, “Is this something I would want my future college coach to see?”
Social media is an undeniable force in the modern college recruiting landscape. Understanding the NCAA's "Tap, Don't Type" rule and the varying regulations across different athletic associations is paramount for prospective student-athletes. By embracing best practices such as showcasing your achievements, engaging professionally, and strategically utilizing platforms like X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, you can harness the power of social media to influence your recruiting journey positively. Remember, your online presence leaves a lasting impression. By being mindful and authentic in your interactions, you can ensure that your social media footprint enhances your opportunities and helps you connect with the right college programs.