With Facebook recently surpassing 500 million users and other social networking tools popping up left and right, college football coaches can now keep tabs on high school prospects constantly.  What those prospects say online could make or break their futures.

According to Mississippi State Head Coach Dan Mullen, social media has had an impact on the program’s recruiting efforts.

“We certainly have crossed a recruit off our board because of the different things I've seen them post on Facebook," Mullen said. "Maybe that's not the type of character player, the type of person we're looking for, what they're doing in their social life, what we're looking for in our program.”

Back in my high school days of dial-up modems and ICQ, I never imagined what I was saying could cost me a football scholarship (not that I was getting one in the first place).  However, the head coach at East Northern Technical School for Average Athletes (I made that up, so no need to Google it) may have been posing as one of my friends while I complained about doing homework.  As a result, I didn’t get a scholarship to ENTSAA.

So, high school football players, think about that the next time you post something on Facebook.  We’re all watching you.