When can college coaches contact you?

Any time

• Verbal offersOpen

  The NCAA sets no date for verbal offers in this sport. Football and basketball coaches can take your call and host your unofficial visit at any age, so an offer can come at any time. A verbal offer is not binding.

  An offer can come now. It is not binding, so ask the coach to put the terms in writing.

  Official source: NCAA D1 Manual, Bylaws 13.1.3.2.4 and 13.7.1.5
• Unofficial visitsOpen

  You can visit at your own cost and meet the staff at any age, outside dead periods.

  You can visit campuses and meet the staff now. Ask the coaches on your list for a visit day.

  Calendar limits apply

  Official source: NCAA D1 Manual, Bylaw 13.7.1.5

Jun 15, 2026

• Texts & emailsOpen

  Coaches can send recruiting materials, emails, texts and DMs.

  Coaches can write to you now. Email the programs on your list and answer their messages fast.

  Official source: NCAA D1 Manual, Bylaw 13.4.1
• CallsOpen

  Coaches can call you. You can call football coaches at any age.

  Coaches can call you now. Put your phone number in every email and answer unknown numbers.

  Official source: NCAA D1 Manual, Bylaws 13.1.3.1 and 13.1.3.2.4

Jan 1, 2027

• Off-campusIn 49 days

  Coaches can talk with you in person away from their campus. Recruiting calendar periods still apply.

  Send coaches your game and tournament schedule now, so they know where to find you after January 1, 2027.

  Calendar limits apply

  Official source: NCAA D1 Manual, Bylaw 13.1.1.1.6

Apr 1, 2027

• Official visitsIn 139 days

  Paid visits run from April 1 of junior year through the Sunday before the last Wednesday in June, then open again September 1 of senior year. In August of senior year a school can also pay for a visit from 48 hours before to 48 hours after one of its home games.

  Paid visits start April 1, 2027. Ask coaches about visits as that date gets close.

  Official source: NCAA D1 Manual, Bylaws 13.6.2.1.7 and 13.6.2.1.7.1

Nov 15, 2027

• Written offerIn 367 days

  A school can tell you in writing that it will offer athletics aid. You still sign only in a signing period.

  Written aid offers start November 15, 2027. Until then, any offer is verbal and not binding.

  Official source: NCAA D1 Manual, Bylaw 13.9.3.3

Dec 1-3, 2027

• Early signingIn 383 days

  Early signing period, Wednesday (7 a.m.) through Friday of the first week of December.

  Signing opens December 1-3, 2027. Keep emailing programs that still have room until then.

  Official source: NCAA D1 Manual, Bylaw 13.02.13.1(c)

Feb 2, 2028

• Signing dayIn 446 days

  National Signing Day: the regular signing period opens the first Wednesday in February (7 a.m.).

  Signing opens February 2, 2028. Keep emailing programs that still have room until then.

  Official source: NCAA D1 Manual, Bylaw 13.02.13.1(e)