Athlete Recruiting Rules Ebook Summary The modern recruiting landscape is defined by the abolition of the NLI, the rise of NIL, and strict academic compliance standards. I. Academic and Eligibility Foundations Registration: NCAA Division I (DI) and Division II (DII) require registration with the Eligibility Center (ECC). - Core Courses: DI/DII require 16 NCAA-approved core courses. - DI 10/7 Rule: DI athletes must complete 10 core courses (including 7 in English/Math/Science) before the senior year begins. These courses are locked . - Minimum GPA: Required Core GPA is 2.3 (DI) and 2.2 (DII). Standardized tests (ACT/SAT) are waived. - Alternative Paths: DIII and NAIA eligibility only require meeting the institution’s standard admission rules. II. Recruiting Timelines and Contact NCAA DI: Recruiting is governed by strict Dead, Quiet, Evaluation, and Contact Periods . Coaches are severely restricted on when and where they can communicate in person. - DII, DIII, NAIA: Communication is largely unrestricted . Coaches can contact prospects (phone/text/email) at any time, regardless of grade level. - JUCO Rule Change: Effective April 2025, NAIA coaches can initiate contact with junior college athletes at any time , eliminating previous restrictions. III. Commitment and Contracts NLI Abolished: The National Letter of Intent (NLI) was eliminated by the NCAA in October 2024. - New Commitment Document: The NLI is replaced by the Written Offer of Athletics Aid (Financial Aid Agreement). This is a one-year contract that commits the school to aid and enforces a recruiting ban on other institutions once signed. - Risk Shift: Athletes must scrutinize the new agreement for terms on annual renewal and conditions for requesting a release, as automatic NLI penalties no longer apply. IV. Compliance Hot Zones (NIL/Amateurism) High School NIL: NIL is permitted but regulated by highly fragmented state laws and local high school rules. - Prohibited Activities: Athletes must avoid prohibited endorsements (e.g., alcohol, gambling, weapons) to maintain amateur status. - Amateurism Risk: NIL activities are monitored to ensure compensation is for likeness, not a disguised "pay-for-play" violation, which jeopardizes eligibility. - NAIA Transfer Rule: If an NAIA student-athlete publicly announces an intent to transfer (e.g., social media), it is deemed "first contact," requiring any recruiting NAIA school to officially notify the student’s current institution before responding.