2026 to 2027 Cycle · Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027
Football Recruiting Rules and Calendar
Recruiting involves two parts. The rules dictate what contact is allowed based on your year in high school. The calendar dictates exactly when coaches can use those rules. Read the rules for each division below, then check the calendar for specific dates.
Division 1 Football Rules
Anytime: Receive camp brochures. Take unofficial visits (you cannot talk to D1 coaches on these visits until August 1st of your junior year).
Junior Year (June 15): Coaches can make initial contact, give verbal offers, and talk to you at camps.
Junior Year (August 1): You can talk to coaches during unofficial visits.
Junior Year (September 1): Private communication begins.
Junior Year (January 1): Off-campus contact is allowed during specific calendar periods.
Junior Year (April 1 to Late June): Official visits are allowed.
Senior Year (July 1): Coaches can initiate off-campus contact up to six times.
Senior Year (September 1): Weekly phone calls begin.
Senior Year (First day of class): You can take unlimited official visits, but only one per school.
Division 2 Football Rules
Anytime: Coaches can call, message, make verbal offers, and host unofficial visits.
Junior Year (June 15): Official visits begin. Coaches can visit you off-campus and contact your high school coach.
Division 3, NAIA, and JUCO Rules
These levels are wide open. They do not use strict recruiting calendars. NAIA and JUCO recruiting is open year-round.
Anytime (All three levels): Calls, messages, verbal offers, and unofficial visits are allowed.
Division 3: Off-campus contact starts after your sophomore year ends.
JUCO: Official visits begin after your junior year is finished.
Calendar Dates
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Dates sourced from the official NCAA recruiting calendar and each association's published rules. Levels without formal periods (D3, NAIA, JUCO) recruit year-round. Always verify a specific date with the NCAA, the association, or the program before acting.