NCAA Recruiting Rules 2025–26 Complete Guide
NCAA Recruiting Rules
2025–26 Complete Guide
Contact periods, evaluation limits, official visits, NIL rules, and the new 2026 eligibility changes — everything broken down by division so your athlete knows exactly what coaches can and can't do.
New NCAA Eligibility Rules Effective 2026
Division I has overhauled its eligibility system. Athletes now have 5 seasons to play within a 5-year window. Traditional redshirts are eliminated. The clock starts at full-time enrollment or the year after your 19th birthday — whichever comes first. Read the full breakdown →
First Contact Timeline by Division
First Contact
June 15 after sophomore year (most sports)
Official Visit
After starting senior year
Signing
Early signing period (sport-specific)
First Contact
June 15 after sophomore year
Official Visit
After starting senior year
Signing
Early signing period (sport-specific)
First Contact
No restrictions on contact timing
Official Visit
No official visit rules (no athletic scholarships)
Signing
No NLI — uses financial aid agreements
Contact Rules by Period
Contact Period
Coaches may have in-person contact with prospects and their families off campus. Phone calls and texts are permitted.
Evaluation Period
Coaches may watch prospects compete or visit their school but may NOT have in-person contact off campus.
Quiet Period
Coaches may only have in-person contact with prospects on the college campus. No off-campus contact.
Dead Period
No in-person contact whatsoever — on or off campus. Coaches may still communicate by phone, text, or email.
Evaluation Limits
Division I
Coaches are limited in the number of evaluations per prospect per year. Limits vary by sport.
Division II
Similar evaluation limits apply. Coaches may attend competitions during evaluation periods only.
Division III
D3 coaches have more flexibility — no evaluation period restrictions in most sports.
Unofficial Visits
Prospects can make unlimited unofficial visits at their own expense at any time (except dead periods).
Official Visits
D1 Limit
Prospects may take up to 5 official visits to Division I schools total.
D2 Limit
Prospects may take up to 5 official visits to Division II schools total.
Eligibility
To take an official visit, a prospect must have registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center and provided their SAT/ACT scores.
What's Covered
Schools may pay for transportation, lodging, meals, and entertainment for the prospect and their parents during an official visit.
NIL Rules (Name, Image & Likeness)
What's Allowed
College athletes may earn compensation for use of their name, image, and likeness — endorsements, social media, appearances, and more.
During Recruiting
Schools and boosters cannot use NIL deals as recruiting inducements. Deals must be for legitimate business purposes.
Collectives
NIL collectives operate independently of schools. Prospects should understand the landscape before committing.
High School Athletes
High school athletes can pursue NIL deals in most states without affecting NCAA eligibility — but check your state's rules.
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- Year-by-year recruiting timeline (9th–12th grade)
- Coach outreach email templates that get replies
- NCAA eligibility & GPA requirements by division
- Official visit prep checklist