Top 20 Athletics & Sports from Philadelphia on Instagram Influencers by Follower Growth

Last updated: November 11, 2026

Total Athletics & Sports Influencers in Philadelphia, United States of America

928

Expected Reach

12.8M

Total Followers

44.3M

Avg Engagement

5.44%

Audience Analysis

Gender Distribution

Female34%
Male66%

Age Distribution

25-3440.2%
18-2430.4%
35-4416.4%
13-176.1%

Top Countries

United States of America64.0%
Brazil5.4%
United Kingdom2.7%
India2.0%
Canada1.6%

Top Languages

en80.6%
es6.6%
pt5.7%

Top Cities

Philadelphia7.8%
New York City2.5%
Los Angeles1.8%
New York1.3%
Atlanta0.6%

Top 20 Creators

RankInfluencerLocationFollowersEngagementMonthly GrowthScore
1
Valdez Edgecombe Jr.🇧🇸
@vj.edgecombe
Christ Follower✝️ #foreverhumble
Philadelphia, United States of America
725.5K
Followers
10.64%
Engagement
+5.2%(+35.8K)
8.6
2
Johnny “Cannoli” Garbarino
@teamgarbarino
All Glory to God 🙏🏼 Undefeated Pro Boxer 👊🏼 BKFC 📍 South Philly 🤌🏽 Let’s Go Flyers! 🇮🇹 🇺🇸
Philadelphia, United States of America
201.3K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+8.4%(+15.6K)
6.3
3
JOHN COLBERT
@itscolbert
Philadelphia, United States of America
134.2K
Followers
0.07%
Engagement
+11.6%(+14.0K)
6.3
4
Ricardo Migliarese
@animalblackbelt
🥋5th° Gracie Black Belt 🥊 @BalanceMMA Founder 🐲 Energized by @TatsuTea “Train like an animal!”
Philadelphia, United States of America
145.1K
Followers
1.02%
Engagement
+7.1%(+9.6K)
6.9
5
Namir Simmons
@mjm.flight
5’8 with a Rachet🏀 inquires @slice_mgmt or jacob@slicesportsmanagement.com
Philadelphia, United States of America
104.7K
Followers
2.73%
Engagement
+6.9%(+6.7K)
8.8
6
Jose Andres Martinez
@joseandresmartinez8
Futbolista profesional ⚽️ @selevinotinto 🇻🇪 @tcsportsmngmt @vipsportagency
Philadelphia, United States of America
1.2M
Followers
9.57%
Engagement
+0.5%(+6.1K)
7.9
7
DJ Diamond Kuts
@djdiamondkuts
DJ x Producer 💎 Philadelphia Eagles DJ 🦅 Radio - Power99✨ Philly to the 🌎 ✨ CEO: Young Diamonds Of America 501(c)(3) 📍Laughs and Good Vibes 🤏🏾
Philadelphia, United States of America
278.6K
Followers
4.40%
Engagement
+2.0%(+5.5K)
6.9
8
Darnell Maisonet
@coachdarnellmaisonet
1000+ hitters transformed Pottstown Scout Team HomeTeam 🥶 NewJersey/ Philadelphia D.advanceperformance@gmail.com venmo @DarnellM57
Philadelphia, United States of America
150.7K
Followers
0.22%
Engagement
+3.6%(+5.2K)
6.4
9
Kyle Schwarber
@kschwarb12
Philadelphia Phillies TW:@kschwarb12 Schwarber’s Neighborhood Heroes @schwarbersneighborhoodheroes
Philadelphia, United States of America
402.6K
Followers
8.25%
Engagement
+1.1%(+4.5K)
8.8
10
Daniel Gracie
@danielgracie
Philadelphia, United States of America
109.9K
Followers
0.43%
Engagement
+4.1%(+4.4K)
6.8
11
Dr Danielle Brenza
@drdaniellebrenza
Ageless Skin and Laser Center EXPERT BOTOX AND FILLER INJECTOR #aesthetic medicine #master injector #bikini competitor #npc bikini #momof2daughters
Philadelphia, United States of America
150.9K
Followers
3.32%
Engagement
+2.9%(+4.3K)
8.4
12
Rossi
@rossitakes
SUPER BOWL 59 CHAMPS🦅 CEO of “top comment” 😏 featured on @espn & @sportscenter rossitakes@gmail.com
Philadelphia, United States of America
220.5K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+1.9%(+4.2K)
6.5
13
Sean Brady
@seanbradymma
Business inquiries Kevin@vaynersports.com @gritandguillotines 👹 @marekhealth BRADY @teamallmax code brady15 @thebradybagzshow @steadypicks
Philadelphia, United States of America
202.5K
Followers
7.00%
Engagement
+2.0%(+3.9K)
8.2
14
JOSEPH MERLINO
@skinny_joey_merlino_
Watch on Patreon: @theskinnywithjoeymerlino Come eat @skinnyjoeys_cheesesteaks
Philadelphia, United States of America
200.4K
Followers
0.88%
Engagement
+2.0%(+3.9K)
7.6
15
Philly Crew
@phillycrew
• #1 Account on Instagram for Philadelphia Sports! • 📥: thephillycrew3@gmail.com • Phillies only page: @philliescrew
Philadelphia, United States of America
151.2K
Followers
3.16%
Engagement
+2.6%(+3.8K)
8.3
16
Michael vanschenkbrill
@mikevanbrill
3x Big Ten Medalist | 3rd Place Finish 🥉 @rafwrestlingusa @vanbrillpools @vanbrillmedia
Philadelphia, United States of America
27.2K
Followers
1.41%
Engagement
+8.4%(+2.1K)
7.5
17
Travis Sanheim
@sanheim17
Philadelphia Flyers # 6
Philadelphia, United States of America
30.4K
Followers
9.58%
Engagement
+6.8%(+2.0K)
5.9
18
Var
@imvar
📸 for JH1 📍DMV | PHILLY
Philadelphia, United States of America
68.5K
Followers
16.67%
Engagement
+2.7%(+1.8K)
6.3
19
Eazy The Block Captain
@eazyblockcapt1
Rashad “Belair” SAG Battle Rapper/Actor| For Business : Eazytheblockcaptainbookings@gmail.com #trenches
Philadelphia, United States of America
133.6K
Followers
1.25%
Engagement
+1.3%(+1.8K)
6.7
20
João Pedro Silva
@thejoaosilva
Baiano • Brasil 🇧🇷 📍 Philadelphia, USA 🇺🇸 🧑🏽‍🩰 Dancer with @balletx
Philadelphia, United States of America
35.1K
Followers
2.72%
Engagement
+5.3%(+1.8K)
8.8

About This Instagram Influencer Ranking

Discover the most influential creators in Philadelphia with our comprehensive ranking of the top 20 influencers on Instagram who post Athletics & Sports content. This data‑driven analysis identifies the content creators who are shaping conversations, driving trends, and commanding the highest engagement rates in 2026.

Key Insights & Metrics

  • Combined Reach: 12.8M potential impressions across all ranked influencers
  • Total Audience: 44.3M followers collectively following these creators
  • Average Engagement Rate: 5.44% - significantly above industry average
  • Market Coverage: 928 total influencers analyzed in this category

Audience Demographics & Reach

The influencers in this ranking reach a diverse, global audience with primary concentrations in:

  • Top Markets: United States of America, Brazil, United Kingdom
  • Gender Distribution: 34% Female, 66% Male
  • Primary Age Group: 25-34 years (40.2% of audience)
  • Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese

Why This Ranking Matters

For brands and marketers, this ranking provides essential intelligence for:

  • Identifying high-performing influencers for partnership opportunities
  • Understanding audience demographics for targeted campaigns
  • Benchmarking engagement rates and growth metrics
  • Discovering emerging talent with strong growth trajectories
  • Analyzing competitive landscape in Athletics & Sports niche

For content creators, these insights help with:

  • Understanding industry benchmarks and performance standards
  • Identifying successful content strategies from top performers
  • Network building and collaboration opportunities
  • Setting realistic growth targets based on peer performance

Methodology & Data Freshness

Our rankings are generated using advanced algorithms that analyze multiple performance indicators:

  • Profile Score: Proprietary metric combining reach, engagement, and growth
  • Engagement Rate: Average interaction rate across recent content
  • Growth Velocity: Month-over-month follower growth and momentum
  • Content Consistency: Posting frequency and audience retention
  • Audience Quality: Authenticity scores and demographic relevance

Data is refreshed weekly to ensure you're always working with the most current information. Last update includes performance data through November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the fastest‑growing Athletics & Sports creator in Philadelphia on Instagram?

Valdez Edgecombe Jr.🇧🇸 (@vj.edgecombe) is, as of November 2026, the fastest‑growing Athletics & Sports creator in Philadelphia on Instagram, with +5.2% monthly growth (+35.8K followers).

How many followers did Valdez Edgecombe Jr.🇧🇸 (@vj.edgecombe) gain last month?

Valdez Edgecombe Jr.🇧🇸 (@vj.edgecombe) gained about 35.8K followers last month (+5.2%).

Who grew more: Valdez Edgecombe Jr.🇧🇸 (@vj.edgecombe) or Johnny “Cannoli” Garbarino (@teamgarbarino)?

Valdez Edgecombe Jr.🇧🇸 (@vj.edgecombe) grew more than Johnny “Cannoli” Garbarino (@teamgarbarino) (35.8K vs 15.6K).

How is Johnny “Cannoli” Garbarino (@teamgarbarino) performing right now?

Johnny “Cannoli” Garbarino (@teamgarbarino) is growing at +8.4% (+15.6K) per month, with a Profile Score of 6.3 and average engagement of 0.00%.

How is JOHN COLBERT (@itscolbert) performing right now?

JOHN COLBERT (@itscolbert) is growing at +11.6% (+14.0K) per month, with a Profile Score of 6.3 and average engagement of 0.07%.

How is Ricardo Migliarese (@animalblackbelt) performing right now?

Ricardo Migliarese (@animalblackbelt) is growing at +7.1% (+9.6K) per month, with a Profile Score of 6.9 and average engagement of 1.02%.

How is Namir Simmons (@mjm.flight) performing right now?

Namir Simmons (@mjm.flight) is growing at +6.9% (+6.7K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.8 and average engagement of 2.73%.

Who had the higher percentage growth: Johnny “Cannoli” Garbarino (@teamgarbarino) or JOHN COLBERT (@itscolbert)?

JOHN COLBERT (@itscolbert) leads (11.6% vs Johnny “Cannoli” Garbarino (@teamgarbarino) 8.4%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Valdez Edgecombe Jr.🇧🇸 (@vj.edgecombe)?

Valdez Edgecombe Jr.🇧🇸 (@vj.edgecombe) gained about 35.8K followers last month (+5.2%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Johnny “Cannoli” Garbarino (@teamgarbarino)?

Johnny “Cannoli” Garbarino (@teamgarbarino) gained about 15.6K followers last month (+8.4%).

What is the absolute follower gain of JOHN COLBERT (@itscolbert)?

JOHN COLBERT (@itscolbert) gained about 14.0K followers last month (+11.6%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Ricardo Migliarese (@animalblackbelt)?

Ricardo Migliarese (@animalblackbelt) gained about 9.6K followers last month (+7.1%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Namir Simmons (@mjm.flight)?

Namir Simmons (@mjm.flight) gained about 6.7K followers last month (+6.9%).

Is Valdez Edgecombe Jr.🇧🇸 (@vj.edgecombe) still a relevant creator?

Yes — Valdez Edgecombe Jr.🇧🇸 (@vj.edgecombe) has a Profile Score of 8.6, average engagement of 10.64%, and +5.2% (+35.8K) monthly follower growth, indicating high relevance.

What is a good engagement rate for Athletics & Sports in United States of America?

The average engagement rate for this category is 5.44%. Generally, rates above 6.5% are considered excellent, while rates above 4.3% are good. Engagement rates vary by platform, niche, and follower count - micro-influencers often have higher rates than mega-influencers.

How is the Profile Score calculated?

The Profile Score (0-10 scale) is a composite metric that weighs several factors: 40% engagement quality, 25% audience reach, 20% growth momentum, 10% content consistency, and 5% audience authenticity. A score above 7.0 indicates a high-performing influencer, while scores above 8.5 represent elite-tier creators.

Can I use this data for influencer marketing campaigns?

Yes! This ranking is designed to help brands, agencies, and marketers identify potential partnership opportunities. The data provides a starting point for campaign planning, competitor analysis, and market research. For detailed campaign analytics and contact information, consider upgrading to our professional tools.

What does monthly growth percentage mean?

Monthly growth shows the percentage change in followers over the past 30 days. Positive growth (green) indicates gaining followers, while negative growth (red) means losing followers. The number in parentheses shows the absolute follower change. High growth rates often indicate viral content or successful campaigns.

Why should I track influencers in Philadelphia?

Location-specific influencer tracking is crucial for targeted marketing campaigns. Local influencers often have higher engagement rates within their geographic area, understand cultural nuances, and can drive better ROI for region-specific products or services. They're particularly valuable for retail, hospitality, and location-based businesses.

How can I improve my ranking as an influencer?

Focus on these key areas: (1) Increase engagement by creating content that encourages comments and shares, (2) Post consistently to maintain audience interest, (3) Use relevant hashtags to expand reach, (4) Collaborate with other creators in your niche, (5) Respond to comments to build community, and (6) Analyze your best-performing content and create similar pieces.

Note: This ranking represents a snapshot of current instagram influence based on publicly available data. Rankings can fluctuate based on content performance, platform algorithm changes, and audience behavior. Use this data as one of several factors in your decision-making process.