How to Use TikTok to Get Recruited

Welcome to TikTok, the newest and hottest social media craze for Gen Z and Gen Alpha users. The platform’s complex algorithm pushes a variety of short-form videos related to a user’s interest. It’s quickly becoming the leading social media platform for trends, influencers, and niche content. So, can you use TikTok for recruiting? While we don’t think TikTok will replace X (formerly known as Twitter) or Instagram in the college recruiting game entirely, colleges are starting to engage with the platform to better connect with today’s generation. Athletes already active on TikTok can, and should, take advantage of the opportunities to monetize their personal brand and gain exposure to college coaches.  

Do coaches look at TikTok? 

While college coaches haven’t fully adopted TikTok in college recruiting as a reliable means to recruit student-athletes, they are at least paying attention. There are currently over 1 billion monthly active TikTok account users worldwide, 46% of those users are between the ages of 16-24 – the sweet spot for prospective and current student-athletes.   

TikTok videos can be shared across multiple social media outlets, including X and Instagram. Even if a coach doesn’t have a TikTok account, they are hearing about popular trends and watching TikTok viral videos in some capacity. The same guidelines for social media behavior apply to how athletes can use TikTok for recruiting. Not all trends are suitable for prospective recruits. 

What to include in your TikTok bio 

Coaches and athletes are still learning how to use TikTok in college recruiting. But that doesn’t mean athletes shouldn’t set their TikTok profile up for recruiting success. You want it to be easy for college coaches to find your TikTok account. Just like X and Instagram, make sure your bio includes the following information for college recruiting:  

• Your real name as a handle  
• A photo of you in your uniform or sport  
• Your location  
• Your class year, high school and club team 

TikTok viral videos and how athletes get noticed by coaches 

Can you go viral on TikTok? Yes. Anyone has the potential to go viral on TikTok, that’s what makes it so appealing to users. All it takes is one TikTok video post to get noticed by the right number of users. It’s never too early for student-athletes to start thinking about building a personal brand.   

In fact, there have already been many high school student-athletes who have become TikTok sensations. A high school football player gained 1 million followers overnight after a video of his team lip-syncing to Justin Bieber went viral. Use these guidelines to help build your TikTok presence and go viral in college recruiting:    

• Follow trends. A popular trend that emerged in 2023, for example, was “tell me you’re an athlete, without telling me you’re an athlete.” This can be a fun way to show your audience, and coaches, that you are passionate about your sport.
• Use hashtags. Use as many as you can fit into your caption! Each hashtag exposes you to a different audience. Mix popular TikTok hashtags with less competitive, niche ones to boost your online presence and gain new followers.   
• Keep posting. Like all social media, the best way to build a following is to post consistent and good content.   

Should athletes use TikTok hashtags? 

Absolutely! Student-athletes using TikTok in college recruiting should include TikTok hashtags specifically related to their sport. Coaches can log in, search for a hashtag and soon they’ll be scrolling through TikTok video content related to their search.   

There is no limit as to how many TikTok hashtags you can use. The more, the better. Each hashtag used will expose your video to more users. But you are only allowed 100 characters, so there needs to be a little strategy when it comes to your caption. Do your research to find out which hashtags are currently trending for your sport or college recruiting and apply those to your videos. 

Follow professional athletes on Tiktok 

Do you have a favorite athlete? Consider following them on TikTok to gain inspiration for your own content and TikTok video ideas. Many professional, former, and current student-athletes are actively using TikTok to be a resource for high school athletes as they go through the recruiting process.   

Ok, they also post fun and entertaining content too! Athletes can find great advice on workouts, what it’s like to be a college athlete and more. Check out this list of popular Olympic athletes to follow on TikTok. 

Can college athletes make money from TikTok?  

With the NCAA’s recent Name, Image and Likeness bylaws, athletes could potentially secure future endorsement opportunities and monetize their brand with a big enough following on social media. It’s important for athletes to understand how and when they can capitalize on NIL opportunities, so they do not risk losing eligibility. 

Here are a couple examples of college athletes who have taken advantage of TikTok and the NCAA’s NIL bylaws: 

Bloomberg reports that Chase Griffin, a quarterback at the University of California with a large social media following, co-hosted a podcast on wealth management with JPMorgan Chase & Co., earning him a $90,000 valuation as a brand ambassador. 

According to TODAY.com, Olivia Dunne, a former gymnast at Louisiana State University, has over 8 million followers on her TikTok account @livvy. She is sponsored by brands such as Grubhub, Vuori, BodyArmor, and American Eagle. 

But even athletes with smaller followings can earn NIL money.  

SUMMARY: HOW TO GET RECRUITED ON TIKTOK  

TikTok in college recruiting is still figuring out its place. You should not expect your TikTok account to be the only, or best, way to get recruited by college coaches. But learning how athletes can use TikTok appropriately for recruiting can help you reach coaches who are paying attention to it.  Student-athletes can take advantage of the opportunities TikTok presents to monetize their personal brand and gain exposure to college coaches. 

Do you have a free NCSA profile? 

In addition to your social media presence, it’s valuable for athletes to have a designated recruiting profile on a platform like NCSA. College coaches use the NCSA College Recruiting Network to discover, evaluate and eventually sign athletes. 82% of college athletic programs have had an NCSA athlete on their roster, so you want to be one of them? Create a free NCSA profile today And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok. 

If you already have an NCSA account you can log in here.