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
Divisions I and II now use an age-based “5-for-5” clock: five seasons of competition inside one five-year window. The window starts at your first full-time college enrollment anywhere (junior colleges and schools abroad count) or the academic year after your 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Redshirts and most extension waivers are gone, so starting college on time 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 is now the binding document.
What to check before you signSport-specific transfer windows
In Division I you can only enter the transfer portal during your sport's window, and the windows differ by sport. Football has a single 10-day window in early January, basketball gets 15 days after the national championship game, and most other sports get about 30 days after their season plus a short second window. The NCAA changes these dates almost every year, so we keep the 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 in D1 and D2: five seasons inside a five-year window that starts at your first full-time college enrollment or the year after you turn 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 grade 9 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
The questions to ask coaches at every stage, from the first call to signing.
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
How the portal works, windows by sport, and what happens to your scholarship.
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.