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Building a Future in Esports: Content Creation, Competition, and the Collegiate Path

In my work helping aspiring collegiate esports players and content creators navigate their careers, I’ve seen a common challenge, many don’t know how to effectively balance gaming, academics, and content creation while making themselves attractive to universities. I’ve worked with numerous student-athletes and content creators who are looking to turn their passion for gaming into a career, but often, they don’t have a clear roadmap.

That’s why I sat down with Josh “Comp”, a top-tier Rocket League player and content creator, to discuss his journey. With years of competitive experience and a thriving content career, he’s a perfect example of how to leverage multiple opportunities in esports. His insights highlight how students can maximize their potential not just as players, but as personal brands that universities and sponsors want to invest in.

Many collegiate esports players face a dilemma: how do you compete at the highest level, stay on top of your studies, and build a content brand all at the same time?

For traditional athletes, structured schedules help them balance school and sports. But esports, being more fluid and decentralized, presents a unique challenge. Many players underestimate the importance of time management and strategy in their careers.

The lesser-discussed problem? Many esports programs now recognize the value of content creators, yet most students don’t know how to market themselves beyond their gameplay. The days of “just being good at the game” are over, players who create content and build a brand are far more attractive to universities and sponsors.

Josh’s journey is a perfect case study in navigating these challenges.

Josh’s journey started like many aspiring players, grinding Rocket League from 2015 and eventually making his way into the RLCS qualifiers and CRL (Collegiate Rocket League). He played for top programs in Canada and represented his country on an international stage.

But his esports ambitions didn’t stop at competition. Unlike many players who focus solely on rankings, Josh realized early on that content creation was the key to long-term success.

He began posting daily content, experimenting with different styles, educational breakdowns, funny clips, and high-level gameplay highlights. He diversified his platforms, uploading to TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook Reels, and even Snapchat.

Over time, he learned how to adapt to trends, analyze audience engagement, and optimize his content for maximum reach. The result? A growing brand that made him more than just a player, he became an influencer, an asset that universities and sponsors find valuable.

Josh’s strategy provides a clear blueprint for aspiring collegiate players and content creators.

1. Universities are increasingly offering scholarships for content creators in their esports programs. Creating content is not just about views, it’s about building your personal brand and proving your value. Players who showcase their skills, team culture, and school experience attract future recruits and elevate their program’s status.

2. Josh’s day is tightly structured to balance classes, content creation, and competition:

Morning: Classes and studying.

Afternoon: Editing and posting content.

Evening: Scrims, streaming, and community engagement.

He also batch-creates content to avoid last-minute stress, recording multiple videos in one session so he has daily content ready to go.

3. Not all platforms are equal. Here’s how Josh approaches them:

YouTube: Longer-form content, storytelling, and in-depth guides.

TikTok/Instagram Reels: Short-form, high-engagement clips.

Facebook Reels: Overlooked but strong for organic growth.

Twitch/YouTube Live: Best for direct interaction with an audience.

Key takeaway: Repurpose your content to maximize exposure without creating extra work.

4. Top revenue sources for content creators:

YouTube Ad Revenue (Best for long-term sustainability)

Twitch Subscriptions & Donations

Brand Partnerships & Sponsorships

University Scholarships for Content Creators

While AI tools aren’t perfect yet, they will soon allow creators to automate clip selection and editing, saving hours of work.

5. With professional teams increasingly recruiting from collegiate programs, students now have multiple paths:

1) Become a professional player

2) Secure a content creation scholarship

3) Work in esports production, marketing, or broadcasting

Josh’s story proves that you don’t need to be the best player to have a successful career in esports. Universities and teams are searching for students who bring more than just mechanical skill, they want leaders, creators, and innovators.