NCAA Football Recruiting Rules

The NCAA has strict recruiting rules and principles that must be followed by college coaches in order to ensure they do not face any fine or punishment for illegal recruiting practices. Below are the guidelines set forth by the NCAA as of August 1, 2008.

  1. Freshman/Sophomores

    • When contacting potential players that are still in their freshman or sophomore years of high school, the only recruiting that is allowed is the distribution of questionnaires and camp brochures.

    Juniors

    • When recruiting players entering their junior year of high school, a coach can send recruiting materials in the mail beginning on Sept. 1 of that school year. Coaches are also allowed to make one phone call to the player between April 15 and May 31.

    Seniors

    • Coaches are allowed to contact senior players one time per week after Sept.1 of the given year. Off-campus contact is allowed after July 1 and before the player's senior season begins. In addition, official school visit are not allowed until after the first day of the player's classes begins.

    Two-year College Prospects

    • Two-year college prospects are allowed to be contacted by phone once per week. For those players that are currently qualified for NCAA enrollment, contact is permissible; however, if the player is unqualified, the coach must wait until after the first year of the program is completed before contact is allowed.

    Four-year College Prospects

    • For four-year college prospects, contact via phone is allowed once per week as well. If the player is enrolled in another NCAA institution, permission must be granted by the player's current school before contact can be made. If the player is attending another four-year institution, permission is not necessary. Official school visits can take place no sooner than Oct. 15 of the year after the player has graduated from high school.