The Recruit-Me Athletic Scholarship Podcast with Brent Hanks · Brent Hanks

Epi 465 A Social Media Post Asking; What is the Best College Baseball Recruiting Strategy You Have Seen?

·11 min·1 clip

Brent Hanks reveals why 99% of student-athletes must contact coaches themselves to get scholarships.

This episode of The Recruit-Me Athletic Scholarship Podcast features host Brent Hanks analyzing responses to a social media question about effective college baseball recruiting strategies. Hanks, a recruiting expert and father of college athletes, draws from his experience and a specific Facebook post from the College Baseball Recruiting account. He reviews and interprets the advice shared by parents, coaches, and trainers in the online discussion. Many initial responses to the post emphasized sheer athletic excellence, with suggestions like throwing 105 miles per hour, hitting home runs, or maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Hanks notes these comments came from a summer team coach, trainers, and parents, and he questions whether all were entirely serious. He connects these simplistic answers to "myth number one" from his Recruit Me system, which states coaches will automatically find talented players. The truth, he explains, is that only the top 100 or so nationally recognized elite athletes get recruited without initiative. Hanks states most schools have limited recruiting budgets, so coaches rely on athletes to make contact using videos, stats, and references. He argues that self-promotion is now the norm and that parents should not consider it inappropriate. A key insight is that physical size can initially attract a coach's attention, like a 6'4" pitcher getting an extra look, but most high school athletes are not in that category. Hanks emphasizes the vast range of college levels, from NCAA Division I blue bloods like LSU baseball to NAIA and junior colleges, asserting there is a place for most committed athletes. He shares that his son Sutton plays NAIA baseball on a team that has won over 39 games per season. Another myth addressed is the belief that one must be "the best player in the world" to get financial aid; Hanks counters that accomplished, non-superstar athletes can be recruited if they market themselves. Practical strategies from the post include a parent noting their son personally contacted coaches with videos and initiated conversations. Another response highlighted picking schools based on criteria and having the player or coach foster those relationships. A third outlined a strategy based on timing, fit, communication, and reaching out to the right level schools with clear, concise information. Hanks directly aligns these responses with his "7 Steps to an Athletic Scholarship," which include writing a great introductory email and creating a one-sheet player profile. He reveals these steps are part of a $39 DIY system sold on his website. Hanks shares a personal anecdote about his older son Parker, who was all-conference and conference pitcher of the year yet was not automatically discovered. Parker's break came through a high school coach's connection to a pitching coach at a Division II school 13 hours away. The family's visit there led them to build a targeted college list and begin proactive outreach, which formed the basis for Hanks's recruiting tools. The episode maintains an educational and advisory tone, blending analysis of crowd-sourced advice with structured guidance from Hanks's own system. It is conversational and direct, serving as a clear how-to guide for navigating the recruiting process. This episode is ideal for parents and high school baseball players seeking realistic, proactive strategies for college recruitment beyond just relying on athletic talent. Listeners interested in a step-by-step, self-driven approach to contacting coaches and identifying suitable college programs will find it valuable. Those looking for sensational stories or who believe top-tier talent alone guarantees a scholarship might find the episode's practical focus less engaging.

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