Everything You Need to Know
About NCAA Recruitment
Guides, rules, timelines, and resources - all in one place. Pick what's relevant to you.
What Changed Recently
Four rule changes reshaped college recruiting between 2024 and 2026. If you last read up before then, start here.
The 5-for-5 eligibility clock
Division I now runs on an age-based “5-for-5” clock: five seasons of competition inside a single five-year window, which starts at your first full-time college enrollment anywhere — including a junior college or a school abroad — or the academic year after your 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Redshirts and most extension waivers are gone, so enrolling as early as you can after high school is what protects all five years.
See how the eligibility clock worksRoster limits and revenue sharing
The House v. NCAA settlement (approved June 6, 2025) replaced D1's per-sport scholarship caps with roster limits — 105 in football, 15 in men's and women's basketball — and lets schools that opt in pay athletes directly through revenue sharing, capped at about $20.5M per school in 2025-26 and roughly $21.3M in 2026-27. Inside a roster limit every spot can be funded, but each school decides how many it actually funds, so partial aid is still common.
Read the full House settlement money rulesThe NLI is gone
The National Letter of Intent was eliminated in October 2024. Commitments are now formalized with the school's own written offer of athletics aid (a financial-aid agreement), which serves the same binding purpose the NLI used to.
What to check before you signSport-specific transfer windows
You can only enter the transfer portal during your sport's designated window, and the windows differ by sport — football runs a single January window, basketball gets 15 days after the NCAA championship game, and most other sports get roughly 30 days after their championship season plus a fall or spring window. The NCAA has been changing these dates almost every year, so we maintain the current sport-by-sport table in one place.
See the sport-by-sport transfer windowsRules & Eligibility
Understand what's required before your athlete can compete at the college level.
NCAA Eligibility Requirements
Core courses, GPA minimums, and why the SAT/ACT is no longer required for D1/D2 - explained in plain language.
The 5-for-5 Eligibility Clock
New for 2026: D1's age-based clock gives five seasons over five years, starting at first full-time enrollment or age 19. Why timing matters.
NCAA Divisions Explained
D1, D2, D3, and NAIA - how they differ in athletics, academics, scholarships, and lifestyle.
NCAA Glossary
Every recruitment term defined with examples - from "dead period" to "verbal commitment."
Planning & Timeline
Know what to do and when - from middle school through signing day.
Coach Communication
How to reach out, what to say, and how to stand out to college coaches.
Coach Communication Guide
Email templates, phone call tips, and strategies for making a strong first impression.
Highlight Video Guide
How to create a highlight video that catches coaches' attention and gets responses.
Recruitment Talking Points
What to ask coaches during calls, visits, and showcases to get the info you need.
Financial Aid & Pathways
Understand the money side - scholarships, costs, and alternative routes.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
How athletic scholarships work, types of aid, and realistic financial expectations.
Junior College (JUCO) Pathway
The 2-year route to NCAA eligibility - when it makes sense and how to navigate it.
Transfer Portal Guide
Rules, timelines, and strategies for transferring between college programs.
International Students
Everything families outside the US need to know about recruiting to American colleges.
Explore Colleges
Browse, search, and discover programs that match your goals.