5 Common College Rodeo Recruiting Mistakes Athletes Make (and How to Avoid Them)

College rodeo recruiting can feel overwhelming — especially when there’s no clear playbook. That’s exactly why we created Bullfrog Recruiting Solutions: to bring structure, strategy, and support to the process.

Based on hundreds of conversations with college rodeo coaches, parents, and athletes, here are the five biggest mistakes we see student-athletes make — and how to fix them before it’s too late.

1. Waiting Too Long to Start the Process

A lot of athletes wait until senior year to get serious about college rodeo. By then, many programs have already filled their roster or moved on to earlier prospects. College coaches are scouting sophomores and even junior high athletes at national events.

✅ Fix it: Start early. Create a free profile in the Bullfrog Recruiting Portal and begin connecting with coaches now — not when it's too late.

2. Failing to Build a Standout Recruiting Profile

No highlight reel. No contact info. No GPA. If a coach can’t quickly see who you are and what you bring to the table, they’re moving on. Too many athletes expect to be noticed without doing the work to stand out.

✅ Fix it: Upload video, fill out academic details, list your events, and showcase your character inside your Bullfrog profile. We make it easy.

3. Not Reaching Out to Coaches First

This is a big one. Don't let pride get in the way while you wait to be recruited. Sometimes coaches just don't have time or resources to find you. And coaches aren’t mind-readers. If you’re waiting for them to find you, you’re missing out. Recruiting is a two-way street, and proactive students get noticed.

✅ Fix it: Use the contact info inside the portal to send personalized messages to coaches. Introduce yourself, express interest, and follow up.

4. Assuming Talent Is Enough

You may be the best in your state, but college rodeo coaches are looking for more than raw ability. They want team players, academic responsibility, and attitude that fits their program culture. They are looking for winners in and out of the arena.

✅ Fix it: Highlight your work ethic, attitude, and goals—not just your times or scores. Add this to your profile and talk about it when you reach out.

5. Using Social Media the Wrong Way

Your Instagram/Facebook/Snap is a recruiting tool—whether you like it or not. Coaches will look. And if what they find is unprofessional, inconsistent, or completely unrelated to rodeo, they’ll move on.

✅ Fix it: Clean it up. Post videos, rodeo highlights, or competition shots. Tag @bullfrogrecruiting and be mindful of what you post and share.

Bonus Tip: Use the Tools You’ve Got

We built Bullfrog Recruiting Solutions to take the guesswork out of the process. Whether you’re looking to land a college rodeo scholarship or just want to stay in the game after high school, we’ve got you covered.

✅ Connect directly with Rodeo Coaches

✅ Access exclusive recruiting tips and videos

✅ Discover schools that match your goals

✅ Stay organized, proactive, and visible

🚀 Ready to Take the Guesswork Out of Getting Recruited?

Join hundreds of student-athletes who are turning their dreams into rodeo reality. Create your free profile at BullfrogRecruiting.com and take a look at our subscription levels to start showing coaches what you’re made of.