RecruitmentInformation Guide

• Division 1A FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) — 128 schools. The highest level of college football; full scholarships; competes in bowl games.
• Division 1AA FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) — 133 schools. Highly competitive; scholarship opportunities; plays in a playoff championship format.
• Division 2 — 162 schools. Partial scholarships available; strong balance of academics and athletics.
• Division 3 — 243 schools. No athletic scholarships, but substantial merit and need-based financial aid is available. Largest division by school count.

• 93 football schools spanning the country
• Athletic scholarships available at most programs
• Fewer recruiting restrictions than the NCAA — coaches can contact athletes earlier and more freely
• No official recruiting calendar — all contact, visits, and verbal offers are permitted at any time
• Often the best path for athletes who are overlooked by NCAA programs

• 65 two-year football programs across the country
• Athletic scholarships available at many programs
• No recruiting calendar — all contact, visits, and offers are permitted at any time
• A direct pathway to four-year scholarships at NCAA and NAIA programs
• Many D1 programs specifically recruit JUCO transfers for immediate-impact players

D1 FBS

• 3-year varsity starter; multi-year All-State; strong leadership qualities
• Throws deep out, comeback, dig & seam with no loft; through the goalpost from the opposite 40-yard line
• Elite footwork, pocket mobility, quick progression reads, accurate on the run; can pick up yards with legs

D1 FCS

• 3-year starter; multi-year All-Conference
• Minimal loft; throws through the goalpost from the 45-yard line; good movement inside and outside the pocket

D2

• 2-year starter minimum; multi-year All-Conference; throws from the 50-yard line
• Reads option 1 to option 2 consistently; accurate on the run; can make plays with legs

D3 / NAIA

• 1–2 year starter; throws near 45 yards with some loft allowed; good decision-making and pocket presence

D1 FBS

• 3-year starter; multi-year All-State
• Power, speed, and balance; pulls away from defenders; exceptional upper and lower body strength
• Catches out of the backfield; provides pass protection

D1 FCS

• 3-year starter; multi-year All-State; breaks multiple tackles; outruns defenders; runs downhill with quickness

D2

• 2-year starter; All-Conference; durable with power and speed; good acceleration, balance, and instincts

D3 / NAIA

• 1–2 year starter; tough and instinctive runner with adequate speed; blocks and catches from the backfield

WR — D1 FBS

• 3-year starter; multi-year All-State or All-American
• Instant release off LOS, one-step cuts, rare top-end speed and elusiveness; runs all routes; impeccable hands; willing to block

WR — Lower Divisions

• FCS: Outstanding catching ability; separates with speed; 3-year starter
• D2: Quick release; good hands; high motor; willing to block
• D3/NAIA: Precise route cuts; consistent hands; quicker than fast

TE — D1 FBS

• 3-year starter; All-State and sometimes All-American level
• Elite combination of size and speed; soft hands; stretches the field; breaks tackles; contested catch machine; threat to score

TE — Lower Divisions

• FCS/D2: Combination of size and speed; soft hands; finds open windows in zone or man coverage
• D3/NAIA: Can be one-dimensional (blocker or receiver); stretches the field vertically

OL — D1 FBS

• 3-year starter; multi-year All-State; most physically dominant player on the field
• Moves LOS 5 yards consistently; devastating hand punch; locks on and controls defenders; executes all block types

OL — Lower Divisions

• FCS: Moves LOS 3 yards; excellent pad level and hand punch
• D2: Moves LOS 2 yards; above-average pad level; athletic enough to pull
• D3/NAIA: Moves LOS more often than not; active hands against pass rush

DL — D1 FBS

• 3-year starter; multi-year All-State; dominates LOS; wins with speed, quickness, and power; leads in TFLs and sacks

DL — Lower Divisions

• FCS: Controls LOS; wins with speed or power; 2+ years All-Conference
• D2: Consistent performer with physical and athletic upside
• D3/NAIA: At least 1 year All-Conference; consistent motor; speed as edge rusher

DB — D1 FBS

• 3-year starter; multi-year All-State; best athlete on the field
• Flips hips cleanly; sideline-to-sideline range; strong in man coverage; excellent in zone; creates turnovers (INTs, forced fumbles)

DB — Lower Divisions

• FCS: Reads QB and offense; quick feet; covers sideline-to-sideline
• D2/D3-NAIA: Knows coverages; solid to very good in zone; understands defensive scheme responsibilities

LB — D1 FBS

• 3-year starter; multi-year All-State; equally active in run game and pass coverage
• Plays downhill with first step; fluid hips; skilled in zone and man; can match the best athlete on the field

LB — Lower Divisions

• FCS: Wins at point of attack; reliable in man coverage vs. RBs and TEs
• D2: Doesn’t give ground; plays flat with first step; can play man and zone
• D3/NAIA: Consistent vs. run or pass; strength, explosiveness, and pursuit

Kicker

Punter

Long Snapper

If you want to play for an NCAA Division I program, you need a 2.3 GPA or higher in your core courses. These core courses include:

• Four years of English
• Three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
• Two years of natural/physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it)
• One additional year of English, math, or natural/physical science
• Two years of social science
• Four additional years of English, math, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy

If you want to play for an NCAA Division II program, you need a 2.2 GPA or higher in your core courses. These core courses include:

• Three years of English
• Two years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
• Two years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it)
• Three additional years of English, math, or natural or physical science
• Two years of social science
• Four additional years of English, math, natural or physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy

NCAA Division III does not have a specific minimum GPA requirement mandated by the NCAA itself. However, individual schools within Division III may have their own academic standards and GPA requirements for admission and participation in athletics. Make sure you are on track by checking in with the school’s admissions team.

• GPA: 2.3 without qualifying test score

Or must have 2 of the 3 below:

• GPA: 2.0
• SAT/ACT SCORE: 860 / 18
• RANK IN TOP 50% OF HIGH SCHOOL CLASS

• DIPLOMA OR GED
• GPA: 2.0
• SAT/ACT SCORE: Some JUCO programs may not require it. Check the specific requirements of each school.

Customer Service Hours

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday

For students and parents with eligibility questions:
Toll-free support line (U.S. callers and Canada except Quebec):
(877) 262-1492 (toll free)
(317) 917-6222

Transcript / Document Mailing Address

NCAA Eligibility Center
Certification Processing
P.O. Box 7110
Indianapolis, IN 46207

Overnight Delivery / Express Mailing Address

NCAA Eligibility Center
Certification Processing
1802 Alonzo Watford Sr. Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Fax number: (317) 968-5100

NAIA Eligibility Center — Mailroom
120 W. 12th Street, Level S1
Kansas City, Mo. 64105

Please go to PlayNAIA.org for all NAIA Eligibility Center information, including final determinations and FAQs. Eligibility correspondence, responses, and determinations are not handled in person.

Business Hours

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST

Eligibility Center Call Center Hours

Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST (June–March)
Friday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 CST (April–May)

See the following: https://www.njcaa.org/eligibility/resources

For compliance and eligibility questions, please contact: compliance@njcaa.org

FIRST STEP: file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA. This application is used by many state agencies and schools to determine college aid, which is usually based on household income reported on federal income taxes.

The FAFSA is available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website, StudentAid.gov. After two years of delayed releases, families can once again begin filling out the form Oct. 1 for the 2026–2027 cycle.

DEADLINE: The deadline for filing the FAFSA is June 30 of each academic year. For instance, the 2026–2027 FAFSA is due June 2027. But that deadline is for federal financial aid only. Many schools and colleges that use the FAFSA to determine aid set earlier deadlines.

Some schools — mostly private colleges — use a supplemental form called the CSS Profile to determine how to give out their own funds. This form is more detailed than the FAFSA. For instance, it requests information about medical or additional educational expenses.

The CSS Profile asks all of the FAFSA questions and more. The initial submission fee for the CSS Profile is $25; each additional report is $16. But fee waivers are available. Undergraduate students considered an orphan or ward of the court, or with a family adjusted gross annual income of $100,000 or less, can file the form at no cost.

A list of schools that require the CSS Profile can be found on the website for the College Board, the organization that administers and maintains the application.

Sometimes, a student must complete additional applications to be considered for scholarships or private aid.

2 TYPES OF AID: need-based and merit-based.

Federal need-based aid, for instance, is determined by a family’s ability to pay for college as calculated by FAFSA. Merit aid, on the other hand, isn’t based on financial need. It can be awarded by an institution, college or private organization to a student for a specific talent or athletic or academic ability.

College students are potentially eligible for federal, state and/or institutional aid. Institutional aid is financial assistance provided by the college and varies by school, since each college uses its own policies and formulas to determine how to award its financial aid.

For federal financial aid, there are three types of funds: loans, grants and work-study.

• Federal student loans: These are fixed-interest-rate loans from the government. The interest rate for each academic year is set on July 1, and that rate is secured for the life of the loan. The main program for federal student loans is the direct loan program, which allows qualified undergraduate students to borrow direct subsidized or unsubsidized loans up to $31,000 if they’re a dependent. An independent undergrad student can borrow up to $57,500.
• Federal grants: This federal money doesn’t need to be repaid. The most well-known higher education grant for college is the “Pell Grant”. Eligibility is based on a family’s Student Aid Index, or SAI — which replaced the expected family contribution — and is calculated on the FAFSA. The maximum Pell amount for the 2025–2026 school year is $7,395. A family with an SAI of negative 1,500, for example, will likely qualify for the full Pell amount.
• Work-study: This federal program provides part-time work, typically on campus, to help students cover college-related expenses. Not all students qualify for work-study. Students need to qualify through the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need. Work-study students earn at least $7.25 per hour, the federal minimum wage. The average amount of federal work-study earned in 2024–2025 was $2,122, per Sallie Mae’s report. Most states limit their aid to in-state residents. Some states, like Vermont, offer portable grants, which allow residents to qualify for funding even if they attend an out-of-state college.

While the FAFSA should be on a student’s radar to qualify for federal and state need-based aid, a college-bound student should also maximize merit-based aid, experts say. That’s because merit aid is one way to close the gap between the cost of attendance and need-based financial aid. But not all schools award merit aid. Some schools reserve it for only exceptional circumstances, while others require students to maintain a certain GPA.

How Do Schools Award Aid?

While there are many similarities in how schools award aid, each has its own unique process. Some schools offer larger financial aid packages than others, just like some institutions charge higher tuition rates than others.

When Will I Receive a Financial Aid Award Letter?

Financial aid award letters typically go out in winter or early spring — usually after or at the same time as a college acceptance offer.

Should I Appeal a Financial Aid Award?

The process of appealing an award is known as a professional judgment review. Students need a legitimate reason for an appeal, such as a change in their family’s financial circumstances after the FAFSA was submitted. Valid reasons include:

• Recent job loss
• Divorce
• Death in the family
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Care costs needed for an elderly parent

Ask for additional funding — you have nothing to lose, and it can work at some institutions.

NIL gives student-athletes the right to earn money from their personal brand, including:

• Name
• Photos
• Videos
• Voice
• Public persona

It’s rooted in the right of publicity, which gives individuals control over how their identity is used commercially.

The NIL Deal Process

• Athlete builds a personal brand through social media, performance, and visibility
• A brand or NIL collective offers a deal
• Athlete reviews the contract — independent legal review is strongly recommended
• Deal is disclosed per school/state rules (required for deals over $600)
• Athlete completes agreed activities and receives payment (NIL earnings are taxable)

Who Qualifies?

• Most college student-athletes (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA)
• Some high school athletes — depending on state and high school association rules
• Athletes must meet enrollment and academic requirements to remain eligible

Stay Eligible — Compliance Checklist

• Disclose NIL deals to your school (mandatory for deals over $600)
• Review every contract carefully — use an agent or attorney
• Follow state NIL laws and school/conference policies
• Avoid any pay-for-play language in agreements
• Track and report NIL income — it is taxable
• Meet enrollment and academic progress requirements at all times
• Keep records of all payments, contracts, and communications

Questions to Ask Coaches About NIL

• What NIL rules are enforced by your school and conference?
• What will NIL look like for me if I attend your institution?
• How are current student-athletes at your school monetizing their NIL?
• What platform does your compliance office use to manage NIL contracts?

Start with Twitter/X. This is where the highest percentage of recruiting happens — it’s where coaches spend their time. Master this platform before expanding to Instagram or TikTok.

• Handle: Your real first and last name
• Profile photo: You in your jersey, face clearly visible
• Banner photo: Clean action shot or team photo
• Pinned tweet: Your highlight film — upload directly to Twitter so it auto-plays

Bio Format (in this exact order, separated by |)

Who to Follow

• Position coach at each target school
• Recruiting coordinator for your region
• Player Personnel Director and recruiting assistants

Every post answers one of three questions coaches are always asking: Can you play? Do you have the grades? Do you have the character we want?

Coaches receive hundreds of messages daily. Most are ignored because they’re generic, too long, or missing key information. The golden rule: Be Concise, Clear, and Compelling.

DM Subject Line Format

Example DMs

Why Coaches Ignore Most DMs

• Generic messages (“Hey coach, I want to play for you”)
• Too long — coaches don’t have time to read paragraphs
• Missing key info: no height, position, GPA, or highlight reel link
• Mass copy-paste messages with no personalization
• Poor grammar or informal language

Contact every coach on staff — head coach and all assistants. This increases visibility across the entire program. Personalize every email; never use copy-paste across schools.

• Anytime: Non-recruiting materials & printed recruiting materials
• Anytime: Telephone calls, digital communication
• Anytime: Verbal offers
• Anytime: Unofficial visits
• Junior Year (before school starts) / June 15: Official visits
• Junior Year (before school starts) / June 15: Off-campus contact
• Junior Year (before school starts) / June 15: Contact recruit’s coach

• Anytime: Non-recruiting materials & printed recruiting materials
• Anytime: Telephone calls, digital communication
• Anytime: Verbal offers
• Anytime / Unlimited: Unofficial visits
• Sophomore (Year Finished): Off-campus contact
• Junior Year / January 1: Official visits

*NAIA has no recruiting calendar.

• Anytime: Non-recruiting materials & printed recruiting materials
• Anytime: Telephone calls, digital communication
• Anytime: Verbal offers
• Anytime / Unlimited: Unofficial visits

• Anytime: Non-recruiting materials
• Anytime: Printed recruiting materials
• Anytime: Telephone calls, digital communication
• Anytime: Verbal offers
• Anytime / Unlimited: Unofficial visits
• Junior Year Finished: Official visits

NCAA Recruitment Compliance

For additional information about recruitment rules visit the NCAA Recruiting Compliance:
https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/2/10/recruiting-calendars-faq.aspx

NAIA Recruitment Compliance

For additional information about recruitment rules visit the NAIA Recruiting Compliance:
https://interpretations.naia.org/basics-of-recruiting-for-naia-coaches/

NJCAA / JUCO Recruitment Compliance

For additional information about recruitment rules visit the NJCAA / JUCO Recruiting Compliance:
https://www.njcaa.org/eligibility/index