If you haven’t already noticed, almost all of college recruiting happens on social media—mainly X (formerly Twitter). Gone are the days when first contact came from a phone call or a polished letter. Today, it usually starts with a simple direct message (DM). Reaching out to a coach at a school you’re interested in can feel confusing—or even intimidating—especially if you’ve had no prior connection with the program. 

• What do you write?

• What do you include?

• How long should it be?

It might feel like overthinking, but I promise: sending the right kind of message dramatically increases your chances of getting noticed and starting a relationship with a coach. I’ve personally been through the recruiting process three different times, and the little details matter more than you might think.

Below are my best tips to help you stand out.

Tip #1: Keep your Profile Professional

This might sound obvious, but it’s worth repeating—your social media presence is the very first impression a coach gets of you. And I’ve seen coaches dismiss players almost instantly because of what was on their page.

If the first thing a coach sees is a retweet of an inappropriate joke, that doesn’t reflect well on you. Remember, your profile is a recruiting tool. Here are a few rules to follow:

• Make your profile easy to find. Use your real name (or as close as possible) for your username. Coaches don’t have time to guess nicknames.

• Load your bio with key details. Include your high school, graduation year, GPA, position, contact info (email and phone), and your coach’s contact information.

• Post highlights frequently. Keep your best film pinned to the top so it’s the first thing they see.

• Consider a separate recruiting account. If your personal page is full of casual or funny content, create a dedicated account just for recruiting.This way you can keep personal and professional separate.

Tip #2: Concise is King

Imagine this: a coach just got out of practice, has five minutes before his next meeting, and opens X to see a DM from a recruit. If that message reads like a short novel—filled with your entire life story, every stat, and every accolade—he’s not going to read it.

More often than not, he’ll stop after the first sentence (or delete it altogether). Coaches are extremely busy. Your job is not to get an offer in your first message—it’s to spark interest and start a conversation. That means your DM should be:

• Short (5–7 sentences max)

• Impactful (share only the most important details)

Here’s a sample message you can use as a starting point:

Hey Coach [Name], hope things are going well.

My name is [Your Name], and I’m reaching out because I’m interested in [School/Program]. I’m a [Position] at [High School]. Last season, I was all-conference and [insert one key stat or accomplishment]. I’d love the chance to connect and learn more about [College].

Thanks, Coach. I’ve attached my film below.

[Film]

Keep it simple. Adjust the details to make it specific to you, but remember—the goal is to grab attention, not overwhelm.

Tip #3: Film is the Golden Pass

Your message matters, but your film is what truly gets a coach’s attention. In fact, some coaches skip right over your words and go straight to your highlights. That’s why it’s critical to:

• Always include film in every first message. No exceptions.

• Make it easy to watch. Instead of just dropping a Hudl link, send a direct video file or a clear link to a highlight reel. If a coach has to dig around to find your film, chances are he won’t.

Think of your message as the doorway—but your film is the key that unlocks the opportunity.

Final Thoughts

These tips may seem like small details, but take it from someone who has both gone through the process multiple times and seen it from inside a college program. The details make the difference. 

Recruiting is competitive. Every little thing you do to make it easier for a coach to see who you are—and what you bring to the table—can separate you from the rest. Go the extra mile now, because in the end, it will absolutely be worth it.

At RecruitSync, we understand how stressful this journey can be for athletes and their families. If you or your child need guidance, have questions, or just want someone to talk through the options with—we’re here to help.

Feel free to reach out to me directly at jared@recruitsync.net. I’d love to support you in any way I can.