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Jermaine Bishop Jr. of Willis High is one of area's top influencers
HOW TO: Can Tik Tok help in college recruiting?
TikTok has become a powerful tool for football recruiting, especially with how much attention athletes can grab through short-form content.
When used strategically, it can help players build a personal brand, showcase talent, and even attract the attention of college coaches. Here are some top ways to use TikTok for football recruiting:
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1. Highlight Reels That Pop
- Keep it short, exciting, and cinematic. Post 15–60 second clips that showcase your best plays, speed, strength, or unique skills.
- Add text overlays (position, class, stats, GPA, height/weight).
- Use trending sounds and music to boost visibility.
- Include captions like “#QB1 | Class of 2026 | 6'2” | 4.0 GPA.”
2. Training & Behind-the-Scenes
- Show your work ethic with gym, speed, agility, or film study clips.
- College coaches love seeing that you're grinding when no one’s watching.
- Authenticity builds trust and connection with fans and recruiters alike.
3. Football IQ & Leadership
- Break down your film or explain a play using TikTok voiceovers.
- Post game-day speeches or leadership moments with teammates.
- It shows you're a student of the game and not just an athlete.
4. Engage & Network
- Reply to comments, do duets with other athletes, or post recruiting tips.
- Follow and tag college football programs, coaches, or recruiting pages.
- Use hashtags like:
- #FootballRecruiting
- #CollegeFootball
- #ClassOf2026 (or your class)
- #[Position]Prospect (#QBsOfTikTok, #WRProspects, etc.)
5. Recruiting Journey Updates
- Share scholarship offers, visits, camps, or messages from coaches (if allowed).
- Announce when you're attending a showcase or 7v7 tournament.
- These updates let coaches know you're active and getting looks.
6. Brand Building / Personality
- Mix in personality—funny moments, game-day routines, team culture.
- This gives scouts a sense of who you are off the field.
Bonus Tips:
- Put your HUDL link or recruiting profile in your TikTok bio.
- Use a consistent username across social media so you’re easy to find.
- Pin your best highlight video to the top of your profile.
ALL-AMERICAN: Cibolo Steele’s Hatton Jr. Gets UA All-American Game Invite
This past weekend, some of the top high school football talent in Texas gathered at Planet Ford Stadiumfor the annual Under Armour Next Camp, and one name stood out above the rest — Jonathan Hatton Jr.
The 2026 Cibolo Steele four-star running back and Texas A&M commit delivered an electric performance, showcasing his elite skillset in drills and during the one-on-one period. His dominant day earned him a coveted invite to the Under Armour All-American Game, a goal he’s been chasing for years.
“I mean, getting that game invite was everything,” Hatton said. “This is something I’ve been working hard for years to earn, and it just showed me the hard work paid off.”
Hatton committed to Texas A&M on March 22, becoming a massive addition to what is shaping up to be a Top 5 national recruiting class for the Aggies in 2026.
“Coach Troop and Coach Elko are great coaches, and they’re building something that’s going to be scary in the future,” Hatton said. “Why not A&M? I know they’re going to develop me on and off the field — that’s why I committed there.”
Now, the San Antonio native is focused on closing out his offseason strong and preparing for a final run with his Steele teammates.
“My biggest thing is just getting ready for A&M, staying healthy, and going out there with my guys one last time and trying to make it to State,” he said.
With his blend of talent, leadership, and vision for the future, Jonathan Hatton Jr. is a name you’ll be hearing a lot more of in the years to come — both in College Station and beyond.