Michigan State is the latest college football program to deal with a scam on the recruiting trail. This sudden pivot comes after Maryland released a statement to avoid a specific account on social media.
Coach Jim Brown DOES NOT EXIST!
In no world would an official college football staffer request money in exchange for an offer. Proceed with caution.
BEWARE of a college football recruiting scam.
This unfortunate situation first came to light over the weekend. The official X account for the University of Maryland football program released the following statement on Sunday morning:
“Followers and prospects, please do not engage with the account @coachDREWgreen. This person is not employed or affiliated with our program.”
@coachDREWgreen was posing as the director of player personnel for the Terrapins even though his name is not listed on the official staff roster. He does not exist.
Unfortunately, a number of hopeful recruits fell for the fraudulent recruiting procedure and expressed their gratitude for the fake offers on social media as if they were real. They’re not.
Recruits (their accounts often run by family) will send their Hudl film to coaches around the country with a brief description of who they are and why they deserve a look. The coaches will roll through their DMs during the film sessions and watch the tape together. If a player stands out on film, they will respond.
@coachDREWgreen responds within a few hours. He (or she?) requests money in exchange for an offer.
It is not super uncommon for a college football program to offer a kid to “help out in the recruiting process” even though it does not plan to actually take that kid. It’s usually a favor for the recruit’s coach to generate some buzz for a specific player. They don’t charge money. Ever.
If they do, they are either going to be fired immediately, or it’s a scam. Coach Drew Green is a scam.
Unfortunately, even though @coachDREWgreen got caught, his fraudulent behavior continues.
From Maryland to Michigan State.
The Terrapins were able to fend off ‘Coach Drew Green’ but he has since pivoted to Michigan State. He (or she?) changed his handle from @coachDREWgreen to @CoachJimBrown6.
It is the exact same account with a different handle, bio and profile photo.
“Michigan State 🏈 player personnel at The University of Michigan state”
The Spartans do not list a ‘Jim Brown’ on their official roster. To reiterate: HE DOES NOT EXIST!
If you are to scroll far enough back on @CoachJimBrown6’s feed, you will find that he reposted a bunch of Michigan State content (in a believable order) to cover up all of his reposts for Maryland. He obviously hopes recruits won’t do their research before they send him the money in exchange for an offer.
Recruits, you have been warned. Do not engage with this account.