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15 for '15: Top CFB players to follow on social media

ยป Complete 15 for '15 series

Somewhere in between the segments of college football players who are disinterested in social media, or too outlandish on it, or set their accounts to private, lies another group that consistently delivers for fans on Twitter or Instagram. Some are prominent players with legions of followers that number in the tens of thousands, while others are backups who are underrated on social media, if not on the field. In the latest installment of CFB 24/7's "15 for '15" series, we highlight 15 of the most interesting players in the social media arena.

Headshot_Author_Chase_Goodbread_1400x1000
Chase Goodbread
EDITOR'S NOTE: This list was filed before Arnold revealed he's stepping away from football. On the field ... on the web: Arnold made nine tackles last season with 1.5 sacks. ... Arnold has about 7,200 Twitter followers (@JArnoldTAMU85), and another 2,200 on Instagram (same handle). Why he ranks: If you like active tweeters, Arnold is your man. According to his Twitter account, he launched his feed four years ago and has posted more than 48,000 tweets. Our math says that's 1,000 tweets per month, on average. If you're a UFC fan, he's an easy follow. Recent post: Arnold's tweet on the U.S. women's soccer team's 2-0 win over Germany to advance to the World Cup final earlier this week was right on point.
1 / 15
15. Jay Arnold, DL, Texas A&M

EDITOR'S NOTE: This list was filed before Arnold revealed he's stepping away from football.
On the field ... on the web: Arnold made nine tackles last season with 1.5 sacks. ... Arnold has about 7,200 Twitter followers (@JArnoldTAMU85), and another 2,200 on Instagram (same handle).
Why he ranks: If you like active tweeters, Arnold is your man. According to his Twitter account, he launched his feed four years ago and has posted more than 48,000 tweets. Our math says that's 1,000 tweets per month, on average. If you're a UFC fan, he's an easy follow.
Recent post: Arnold's tweet on the U.S. women's soccer team's 2-0 win over Germany to advance to the World Cup final earlier this week was right on point.

Tony Gutierrez
On the field ... on the web: Wright is arguably the top linebacker in the nation after making an incredible 29 tackles for loss last year. ... Wright is a little short on Twitter followers for the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year (@TwoStarScoob), but there's a reason for that (read on). On Instagram, he's got nearly 7,500 followers as scoobywright33. Why he ranks: With fewer than 700 posts on his Twitter account, Wright's participation on social media is more about quality than quantity. But he scores high for the best handle in college football, a chip-on-the-shoulder reference to where he ranked as a high school recruit. Recent post: He looks a bit stiff doing it, but spread the word: Scooby Wright can dunk a basketball.
2 / 15
14. Scooby Wright III, LB, Arizona

On the field ... on the web: Wright is arguably the top linebacker in the nation after making an incredible 29 tackles for loss last year. ... Wright is a little short on Twitter followers for the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year (@TwoStarScoob), but there's a reason for that (read on). On Instagram, he's got nearly 7,500 followers as scoobywright33.
Why he ranks: With fewer than 700 posts on his Twitter account, Wright's participation on social media is more about quality than quantity. But he scores high for the best handle in college football, a chip-on-the-shoulder reference to where he ranked as a high school recruit.
Recent post: He looks a bit stiff doing it, but spread the word: Scooby Wright can dunk a basketball.

Rick Scuteri
On the field, on the web: One of the top linebackers in the Pac-12 was all over the field last year in a hybrid role. ... Cravens has 8,200 Twitter followers (@ovo_suu) and nearly 15,000 on Instagram (same handle). Why he ranks: Cravens posts frequently on Twitter, and comments often on what he likes and doesn't like in others. He's also got some outstanding photos of USC football on his IG account. Recent post: Cravens can also show a mature perspective on life in general.
3 / 15
13. Su'a Cravens, LB, USC

On the field, on the web: One of the top linebackers in the Pac-12 was all over the field last year in a hybrid role. ... Cravens has 8,200 Twitter followers (@ovo_suu) and nearly 15,000 on Instagram (same handle).
Why he ranks: Cravens posts frequently on Twitter, and comments often on what he likes and doesn't like in others. He's also got some outstanding photos of USC football on his IG account.
Recent post: Cravens can also show a mature perspective on life in general.

Ben Liebenberg
On the field, on the web: Jenkins and teammate Leonard Floyd should make up one of the top outside linebacker combinations in the country this year. ... Jenkins has more than 14,000 Twitter followers with the handle @jordanOLB. Why he ranks: Jenkins isn't afraid to post on serious topics such as current events. On micro-local level, he recently tweeted some criticism of the timeliness of UGA's bus service for students. He's not brand-building on social media -- he's being himself. Recent post: Not many guys will share their experience of wisdom teeth extraction on social media. Jenkins is one of them.
4 / 15
12. Jordan Jenkins, LB, Georgia

On the field, on the web: Jenkins and teammate Leonard Floyd should make up one of the top outside linebacker combinations in the country this year. ... Jenkins has more than 14,000 Twitter followers with the handle @jordanOLB.
Why he ranks: Jenkins isn't afraid to post on serious topics such as current events. On micro-local level, he recently tweeted some criticism of the timeliness of UGA's bus service for students. He's not brand-building on social media -- he's being himself.
Recent post: Not many guys will share their experience of wisdom teeth extraction on social media. Jenkins is one of them.

John Bazemore
On the field ... on the web: Hilliman rushed for 860 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns last year. ... Hilliman has under 1,000 followers (@JMH_32), but should have more. Why he ranks: It's tough to find anyone as creative with emojis on Twitter, if you're into emojis. Even without them, Hilliman is all over the place with tweets on all kinds of topics. Recent post: Let's eat.
5 / 15
11. Jon Hilliman, RB, Boston College

On the field ... on the web: Hilliman rushed for 860 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns last year. ... Hilliman has under 1,000 followers (@JMH_32), but should have more.
Why he ranks: It's tough to find anyone as creative with emojis on Twitter, if you're into emojis. Even without them, Hilliman is all over the place with tweets on all kinds of topics.
Recent post: Let's eat.

Stephan Savoia
On the field ... on the web: One of the top WRs to watch this season, Williams wasn't so much the complement to Sammie Coates last year -- Coates was more of a complement to him. ... Just short of 7,000 fans on Twitter (@YFBurnnacmh), Williams has an even bigger following (31,000) on Instagram (ohhkillemone). Why he ranks: Much of Williams' Twitter feed is motivational stuff, which is common for college football players. But he's one of a few who has a way of making news, or at least controversy, with his tweets as well. Let's just say he's quite familiar with the delete button, most recently suggesting in May that he wasn't sure he wanted to stay at AU. Recent post: Williams isn't afraid to let people know what kind of season he had in 2014.
6 / 15
10. D'haquille Williams, WR, Auburn

On the field ... on the web: One of the top WRs to watch this season, Williams wasn't so much the complement to Sammie Coates last year -- Coates was more of a complement to him. ... Just short of 7,000 fans on Twitter (@YFBurnnacmh), Williams has an even bigger following (31,000) on Instagram (ohhkillemone).
Why he ranks: Much of Williams' Twitter feed is motivational stuff, which is common for college football players. But he's one of a few who has a way of making news, or at least controversy, with his tweets as well. Let's just say he's quite familiar with the delete button, most recently suggesting in May that he wasn't sure he wanted to stay at AU.
Recent post: Williams isn't afraid to let people know what kind of season he had in 2014.

Brynn Anderson
On the field ... on the web: Treggs was one of the Bears' top wide receivers last year with 52 catches for 583 yards and six TDs. ... His Twitter account (@Trigga) has just over 5,000 followers, while nearly 2,800 follow him on Instagram (brycetreggs). Why he ranks: Treggs tweets on a lot of different topics and was full of commentary during the NBA playoffs. He can be witty and interacts a lot with his followers. Recent post: Treggs really put himself on the line predicting a Cleveland Cavaliers win in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. No word on which album was chosen.
7 / 15
9. Bryce Treggs, WR, California

On the field ... on the web: Treggs was one of the Bears' top wide receivers last year with 52 catches for 583 yards and six TDs. ... His Twitter account (@Trigga) has just over 5,000 followers, while nearly 2,800 follow him on Instagram (brycetreggs).
Why he ranks: Treggs tweets on a lot of different topics and was full of commentary during the NBA playoffs. He can be witty and interacts a lot with his followers.
Recent post: Treggs really put himself on the line predicting a Cleveland Cavaliers win in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. No word on which album was chosen.

Ben Liebenberg
On the field ... on the web: The one-time Heisman Trophy candidate is back for his senior year hoping to win his old job back. ... Miller posts on Twitter (@BraxtonMiller5) and on Instagram (braxtonmiller92). Why he ranks: In terms of a following, there might not be anyone that tops him: 242,000 Twitter followers and another 227,000 on Instagram. When you make a name for yourself as a college freshman and end up a fifth-year senior on a national championship team, you're a magnet on social media. Miller is big on family and seems to love kids, which comes through on his Instagram account, especially. Recent post: Last week, Miller posted video from a day at the zoo with his son.
8 / 15
8. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State

On the field ... on the web: The one-time Heisman Trophy candidate is back for his senior year hoping to win his old job back. ... Miller posts on Twitter (@BraxtonMiller5) and on Instagram (braxtonmiller92).
Why he ranks: In terms of a following, there might not be anyone that tops him: 242,000 Twitter followers and another 227,000 on Instagram. When you make a name for yourself as a college freshman and end up a fifth-year senior on a national championship team, you're a magnet on social media. Miller is big on family and seems to love kids, which comes through on his Instagram account, especially.
Recent post: Last week, Miller posted video from a day at the zoo with his son.

Joseph Maiorana/Joseph Maiorana
On the field ... on the web: One of the top receivers in college football, Treadwell spent the offseason recovering from a broken leg suffered in a gut-wrenching sequence against Auburn that derailed the Rebels' season last year. ... Treadwell is approaching 40,000 Twitter followers (@SuccessfulQuon) and more than 55,000 on Instagram (same handle). Why he ranks: Treadwell has helped endear himself to Ole Miss fans by bringing them along on his injury recovery with various updates along the rehabilitation process. Recent post: Recently, Treadwell showed how far he's come in his journey back to the football field with this Instagram clip.
9 / 15
7. LaQuon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

On the field ... on the web: One of the top receivers in college football, Treadwell spent the offseason recovering from a broken leg suffered in a gut-wrenching sequence against Auburn that derailed the Rebels' season last year. ... Treadwell is approaching 40,000 Twitter followers (@SuccessfulQuon) and more than 55,000 on Instagram (same handle).
Why he ranks: Treadwell has helped endear himself to Ole Miss fans by bringing them along on his injury recovery with various updates along the rehabilitation process.
Recent post: Recently, Treadwell showed how far he's come in his journey back to the football field with this Instagram clip.

John Bazemore
On the field, on the web: Ramsey is one of the elite and most versatile defensive backs in the country. ... Nearly 15,000 fans are on Ramsey's Twitter account (@JR8_Noles) and close to 30,000 keep up with him on Instagram at the same handle. Why he ranks: A lot of players (and Tweeters in general) do more retweeting than posting original thoughts. Ramsey isn't one of them -- most of his content is original, honest and thoughtful. Recent post: Most recently, Ramsey couldn't fathom why he was beaten out for the honor of ACC Male Athlete of the Year, and wasn't shy about it.
10 / 15
6. Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State

On the field, on the web: Ramsey is one of the elite and most versatile defensive backs in the country. ... Nearly 15,000 fans are on Ramsey's Twitter account (@JR8_Noles) and close to 30,000 keep up with him on Instagram at the same handle.
Why he ranks: A lot of players (and Tweeters in general) do more retweeting than posting original thoughts. Ramsey isn't one of them -- most of his content is original, honest and thoughtful.
Recent post: Most recently, Ramsey couldn't fathom why he was beaten out for the honor of ACC Male Athlete of the Year, and wasn't shy about it.

Jae C. Hong
On the field ... on the web: One of the top receivers in the nation after posting a 1,000-yard season last year as a sophomore. ... More than 14,000 follow Cooper on Twitter (@KingTutt_chdown), and about the same number keep up on Instagram at the same handle. Why he ranks: First, Cooper has a classic handle playing off his first name, but he's a fine tweeter as well. On the day American Pharoah won the Triple Crown last month, he noted "My mentions are BOOMING right now!" Recent post: Watch Cooper pull some nifty misdirection, of all places, on a soccer field.
11 / 15
5. Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina

On the field ... on the web: One of the top receivers in the nation after posting a 1,000-yard season last year as a sophomore. ... More than 14,000 follow Cooper on Twitter (@KingTutt_chdown), and about the same number keep up on Instagram at the same handle.
Why he ranks: First, Cooper has a classic handle playing off his first name, but he's a fine tweeter as well. On the day American Pharoah won the Triple Crown last month, he noted "My mentions are BOOMING right now!"
Recent post: Watch Cooper pull some nifty misdirection, of all places, on a soccer field.

Rainier Ehrhardt
On the field ... on the web: Drake will be counted on to play the biggest role of his career in the Crimson Tide backfield this fall, coming off a broken leg as one of the SEC's most explosive offensive threats. ... Drake has more than 69,000 followers on Twitter (@KDx17) and about 63,000 on Instagram (roadrun17er). Why he ranks: He doesn't take himself too seriously, as evidenced by his phonetic spelling of his home state, Georgia, on his Twitter bio (JAWJA). With a colorful personality, he's been a fan favorite on social media since he first arrived at UA. Recent post: Drake knows how to have fun in the summertime.
12 / 15
4. Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama

On the field ... on the web: Drake will be counted on to play the biggest role of his career in the Crimson Tide backfield this fall, coming off a broken leg as one of the SEC's most explosive offensive threats. ... Drake has more than 69,000 followers on Twitter (@KDx17) and about 63,000 on Instagram (roadrun17er).
Why he ranks: He doesn't take himself too seriously, as evidenced by his phonetic spelling of his home state, Georgia, on his Twitter bio (JAWJA). With a colorful personality, he's been a fan favorite on social media since he first arrived at UA.
Recent post: Drake knows how to have fun in the summertime.

Butch Dill/Associated Press
On the field, on the web: The son of Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie recently enrolled as an incoming freshman. ... Without even having played a down at UT yet, McKenzie's Twitter following (@KM1_Era) is a robust 23,000 and his Instagram followers number more than 11,000. Why he ranks: A great follow for Tennessee fans, McKenzie's social media accounts are already something of a walking billboard for the Volunteers program. He's honest, funny and always posting something. Recent post: Earlier this week, McKenzie weighed in on the question of which school is "DBU" -- a question we took on ourselves -- and had a dig for the rival Florida Gators.
13 / 15
3. Kahlil McKenzie, DL, Tennessee

On the field, on the web: The son of Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie recently enrolled as an incoming freshman. ... Without even having played a down at UT yet, McKenzie's Twitter following (@KM1_Era) is a robust 23,000 and his Instagram followers number more than 11,000.
Why he ranks: A great follow for Tennessee fans, McKenzie's social media accounts are already something of a walking billboard for the Volunteers program. He's honest, funny and always posting something.
Recent post: Earlier this week, McKenzie weighed in on the question of which school is "DBU" -- a question we took on ourselves -- and had a dig for the rival Florida Gators.

@Vol_Photos/University of Tennessee Athletics @Vol_Photos
On the field, on the web: The Buckeyes' three-game postseason hero will battle for a job after winning a national title. ... Jones is on Twitter (@CJ12) with nearly 200,000 followers, and on Instagram (cardale12) with 133,000. Not bad for a guy with three starts in his entire college career. Why he ranks: Jones has come a long way since he first arrived at Ohio State and wet the Twitter bed by openly questioning the importance of going to class for prominent athletes. He's as popular a follow now as anyone in college football. Recent post: Back in May, Jones got into a Twitter spat with Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah, firing off this blast that got retweeted nearly 8,000 times. But that's nowhere near his record. A few months earlier, he got retweeted more than 65,000 times for this gem.
14 / 15
2. Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State

On the field, on the web: The Buckeyes' three-game postseason hero will battle for a job after winning a national title. ... Jones is on Twitter (@CJ12) with nearly 200,000 followers, and on Instagram (cardale12) with 133,000. Not bad for a guy with three starts in his entire college career.
Why he ranks: Jones has come a long way since he first arrived at Ohio State and wet the Twitter bed by openly questioning the importance of going to class for prominent athletes. He's as popular a follow now as anyone in college football.
Recent post: Back in May, Jones got into a Twitter spat with Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah, firing off this blast that got retweeted nearly 8,000 times. But that's nowhere near his record. A few months earlier, he got retweeted more than 65,000 times for this gem.

David J. Phillip
On the field ... on the web: Mortell led the Big Ten Conference with a 45.1-yard punting average last year. ... Join his 4,500-plus Twitter followers (@PMortell37). His Instagram account under the same handle is set to private. Why he ranks: You're in for a treat when a punter's Twitter bio reads "I tell people I play quarterback." He truly maintains one of the most humorous Twitter feeds among college players. Recent post: Just last week, Mortell shared a stream of nine tweets explaining a memorable trip to the principal's office in elementary school.
15 / 15
1. Peter Mortell, P, Minnesota

On the field ... on the web: Mortell led the Big Ten Conference with a 45.1-yard punting average last year. ... Join his 4,500-plus Twitter followers (@PMortell37). His Instagram account under the same handle is set to private.
Why he ranks: You're in for a treat when a punter's Twitter bio reads "I tell people I play quarterback." He truly maintains one of the most humorous Twitter feeds among college players.
Recent post: Just last week, Mortell shared a stream of nine tweets explaining a memorable trip to the principal's office in elementary school.

Nati Harnik
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