NCAA football recruiting calendar 2026-27
Which days college football coaches can watch and meet recruits, in plain English. The dates are read from the NCAA's own Division I calendars, last updated July 30, 2026.
Today, November 5, 2026
Evaluation period
Coaches can watch and visit schools, but not meet recruits off campus.
Sep 1 to Nov 29
Next: dead period starts Nov 30, in 25 days.
Coaches are out watching games, so film and a page they can open in ten seconds matter most. Send your athlete's link, and tell coaches the game schedule.
Evaluation period
Coaches can watch and visit schools, but not meet recruits off campus.
Sep 1 to Nov 29
Next: dead period starts Nov 30, in 25 days.
Coaches are out watching games, so film and a page they can open in ten seconds matter most. Send your athlete's link, and tell coaches the game schedule.
2026-27, day by day
Division I Football Bowl Subdivision
NCAA calendar (PDF)NCAA calendar updated July 30, 2026
- Evaluation period
- Dead period
| Period | Dates | Calendar days |
|---|---|---|
| Dead period | Aug 1 to Aug 31 | 31 |
| Evaluation period | Sep 1 to Nov 29 | 90 |
| Dead period | Nov 30 to Dec 31 | 32 |
Notes printed on the NCAA calendar
- Quiet period. Forty-eight hours before a home contest (on the institution’s campus or in a facility normally used for its home games) that occurs in August or on Sept. 1 or 2 through 48 hours after the conclusion of the contest.
- Evaluation period, Sep 1 – Nov 29. Thirty-three (42 for U.S. service academies) evaluation days during the fall evaluation period.
Division I Football Championship Subdivision
NCAA calendar (PDF)NCAA calendar updated July 30, 2026
- Contact period
- Evaluation period
- Quiet period
- Dead period
| Period | Dates | Calendar days |
|---|---|---|
| Dead period | Aug 1 to Aug 31 | 31 |
| Evaluation period | Sep 1 to Nov 29 | 90 |
| Dead period | Nov 30 to Dec 3 | 4 |
| Contact period | Dec 4 to Dec 17 | 14 |
| Quiet period | Dec 18 to Dec 20The NCAA's date list shows Dec 18 in both the contact and quiet periods. Its calendar grid colors it quiet. | 3 |
| Dead period | Dec 21 to Dec 31 | 11 |
Notes printed on the NCAA calendar
- Quiet period. Forty-eight hours before a home contest (on the institution’s campus or in a facility normally used for its home games) that occurs in August or on Sept. 1 or 2 through 48 hours after the conclusion of the contest.
- Evaluation period, Sep 1 – Nov 29. Thirty-three (42 for U.S. service academies) evaluation days during the fall evaluation period.
What each period means
These limit when coaches can meet or watch recruits in person. They do not stop a family from emailing a coach.
Contact period
Coaches may meet recruits and families in person on or off campus, watch them play, and visit their schools.
What a family does
Coaches can be at the school, at games and at the family's home. Be ready with film, grades and your page link.
Evaluation period
Coaches may watch recruits play and visit their schools to see them, but may not have in-person contact with the recruit or the family away from the college's campus.
What a family does
Coaches are out watching games, so film and a page they can open in ten seconds matter most. Send your athlete's link, and tell coaches the game schedule.
Quiet period
Coaches may meet recruits in person only on the college's campus. They may not meet or watch recruits off campus.
What a family does
If your athlete is visiting a campus, this is when the coaches there can meet them.
Dead period
Coaches may not meet recruits in person or watch them play, on or off campus, and campus visits are not allowed. Calls, texts and emails follow separate NCAA rules.
What a family does
A good time to build the page, add film and update stats. Email coaches so your athlete is in front of them when they are free to look.
Be easy to find while coaches are looking
Put your athlete's season, stats and film on one page a coach can open in ten seconds, then email the coaches who recruit their position. It is free to start.
Questions families ask
What is a contact period in college football recruiting?
Coaches may meet recruits and families in person on or off campus, watch them play, and visit their schools. In 2026-27: FCS, Dec 4 to Dec 17.
What is an evaluation period in college football recruiting?
Coaches may watch recruits play and visit their schools to see them, but may not have in-person contact with the recruit or the family away from the college's campus. In 2026-27: FBS, Sep 1 to Nov 29; FCS, Sep 1 to Nov 29.
What is a quiet period in college football recruiting?
Coaches may meet recruits in person only on the college's campus. They may not meet or watch recruits off campus. In 2026-27: FCS, Dec 18 to Dec 20.
What is a dead period in college football recruiting?
Coaches may not meet recruits in person or watch them play, on or off campus, and campus visits are not allowed. Calls, texts and emails follow separate NCAA rules. In 2026-27: FBS, Aug 1 to Aug 31, Nov 30 to Dec 31; FCS, Aug 1 to Aug 31, Nov 30 to Dec 3, Dec 21 to Dec 31.
Can I email a college football coach during a dead period?
Yes. These periods limit when coaches may meet or watch recruits in person. They do not stop a family from emailing a coach, and a coach who is not allowed to meet your athlete in person can still read their page.
Does this calendar apply to Division II and Division III?
No. The NCAA publishes recruiting calendars for Division I. Division II and Division III follow their own recruiting rules, so ask the college's compliance office.
Where do these dates come from?
They are read from the NCAA's own 2026-27 Division I football recruiting calendars, last updated July 30, 2026, and checked against the dates the NCAA prints beside each calendar. Rules change, so check with a school's compliance office before you plan around a date.
Other sports
Sources: the NCAA's 2026-27 Football Bowl Subdivision recruiting calendar, the NCAA's 2026-27 Football Championship Subdivision recruiting calendar. This is general information, not legal or compliance advice. NCAA rules change, so confirm with the college's compliance office. Read the full rules at NCAA.org.