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Why June 15th is a Key Date in College Athletic Recruiting

While June 15 marks an important Division II Transfer Portal deadline, it is also a significant date for many other college student-athletes and high school recruits as they navigate the recruiting process.

NJCAA Letter of Intent signees:

 For NJCAA two-year college athletes enrolled during the 2025–26 academic year, June 15 is the deadline to receive notification of renewal of their 2026–27 Letter of Intent.

An NJCAA athlete who isn’t signed to a second-year scholarship by June 15 (which is supposed to be in the form of a new Letter of Intent) becomes recruitable by any other NJCAA college starting on June 16.

June 15 is also an important date for many high school recruits regarding recruiting communication with NCAA Division I and Division II coaches.

NCAA Division I Recruiting information:

June 15 is the first date when most coaches at NCAA Division I programs can place recruiting phone calls and send emails/messages to athletes who have just completed their sophomore year of high school.

The following Division I sports are the only ones that have a date other than June 15 as the earliest date for placing recruiting calls and sending emails/text messages to prospects:

Baseball – Aug. 1 of junior year

Women’s Basketball – June 1 at conclusion of sophomore year

Men’s Ice Hockey – Jan. 1 of sophomore year

Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse – Sept. 1 of junior year

Softball – Sept. 1 of junior year

Men’s Wrestling – April 1 of junior year

NCAA Division II recruiting information:

For coaches at NCAA Division II colleges, it is permissible to have phone, email or text/direct message communication with athletes (and their families) of ANY high school athlete, regardless of year in school.

However, June 15 remains the first date when coaches in ALL Division II sports can have in-person, off-campus contact with 2028 high school graduates and their families.

For specific questions about the NCAA transfer or recruiting rules, send an email to rick@informedathlete.com or call our office at 913-766-1235.

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Parents: Don’t Let Your Athlete Withdraw From Classes!

Early in each term, we often hear from families asking whether an athlete can withdraw from classes without affecting eligibility.

If your athlete has already started classes as a full-time student, keep the following in mind:

  • Withdrawing from one class may be okay if they still remain full-time.
  • Withdrawing from all classes will almost always harm eligibility, both now and in the future.
  • Dropping a class late to avoid a failing grade may be acceptable in certain situations, but finishing the term is usually the better option.
  • Withdrawing from all courses results in no academic credit earned for the term, which can seriously impact future eligibility.

To discuss a potential class withdrawal and how it may impact your student-athlete’s current and future eligibility, schedule a confidential Eligibility Issues consultation online, call our office at 913-766-1235, or email rick@informedathlete.com.

 

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Redshirt Rules for Spring Sports 2026

With many spring sports now underway or starting soon, here is a quick review of redshirt rules at each college level.

If your athlete is a freshman at a Division II school, be sure to note the new rule below.

NCAA Division I

Any appearance in a regular-season contest (varsity or JV) — even if for only one or two minutes or one or two plays — uses a season of competition.

Preseason scrimmages or exhibitions may be exempt, BUT rules vary by sport. Student-Athletes should confirm with their school’s NCAA compliance office before participating in an exhibition contest or preseason scrimmage.

NCAA Division II

For athletes other than true freshmen, any appearance in a regular-season contest at the varsity or JV level uses a season of competition.

New Rule: True freshmen may compete in up to 30% of games/dates of competition in their sport and still redshirt.

NCAA Division III

To redshirt, an athlete must completely remove themselves from the team before the first game or contest of the season.

 Practicing once the season begins counts as a season of participation, even if an athlete never appears in a game.

 Important for transfers: This rule can negatively impact athletes transferring to Division III for what they expect to be their final season of eligibility after graduating from a non-D3 university.

NJCAA and CCCAA

Any appearance – even if only for one or two minutes or for one or two plays – in a regular-season contest (varsity or JV) uses a season of competition.

NAIA

The NAIA charges a season of competition if an athlete appears in more than 20% of the maximum games/dates of competition in their sport.

Important to Know:  Any participation in NAIA-approved postseason competition counts as a season used—even if it is the athlete’s only appearance all season.

Questions About Redshirting or Medical Redshirts?

Schedule a confidential Eligibility Issues Consult online, email rick@informedathlete.com, or call 913-766-1235.

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Your Guide to Football Scholarship Signing Dates February 2026

Here’s what families need to know about February NCAA and NJCAA football signing dates for high school and junior college recruits:

February 4, 2026

  • NCAA Division I and II football programs begin their “regular” signing period for athletic scholarship agreements with both high school and junior college recruits.
  • (Note: Division I had its “early” signing period in December, and both Divisions had a December period for junior college signings.)

February 5, 2026

  • High school football recruits may begin signing an NJCAA Letter of Intent (LOI).

Important Scholarship Reminder

  • NCAA Division I programs may or may not offer a multi-year scholarship.
  • Division II and NJCAA scholarships are issued for one year only, subject to renewal.
  • Always carefully review the terms and conditions of any scholarship agreement before signing.

Quick FAQ’s:

Q: Can my athlete wait to sign later in the spring?
Yes. The regular signing period remains open beyond February, but roster spots and scholarship money may become limited.

Q: Is a verbal commitment binding?
No. Only a signed scholarship agreement (NCAA) or LOI (NJCAA) is binding.

Q: Can an athlete negotiate scholarship terms?
Sometimes. It depends on the program and circumstances, but families should understand what is being offered before accepting.

Q: Does signing lock my athlete into staying at that school?
Signing creates an agreement for that academic year, but transfer rules still apply if an athlete later chooses to move.

Do You Have Questions?

For questions about these signing opportunities, schedule a confidential Scholarship Strategies Consult online, call 913-766-1235, or email rick@informedathlete.com.

 

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NCAA adds Flag Football as Emerging Sport for Women

The three NCAA Divisions are adding Flag Football to the Emerging Sports for Women program.

Rules will be established in order for Flag Football programs at NCAA member schools to be considered an “NCAA-sponsored sport.”

Once at least 40 schools sponsor Flag Football as an NCAA-recognized varsity sport, the sport may be considered for the establishment of a National Championship

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NCAA Sport Championships Approved

At the recent NCAA Convention all three NCAA divisions approved the establishment of National Collegiate Championships in the sports of stunt and in acrobatics and tumbling.  The first championships will take place in Spring 2027.

Also, a Division III-specific championship for Women’s Wrestling was approved to start during the 2027-28 academic year.

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NCAA DII Convention Actions

Seasons of Eligibility

A proposal to allow Division II athletes five seasons of eligibility was referred to the Division II Executive Board for further review following a 186–117 vote.

The Board is expected to examine the issue and potentially advance legislation for the 2028 NCAA Convention.

For questions about seasons of eligibility in your athlete’s sport, schedule a confidential Eligibility Consultation online or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

Baseball and Softball Game Limits

In D2 baseball and softball, proposals to increase the number of permissible games were defeated.

  • The baseball proposal would have increased the permissible number of games from 50 to 52.
  • The softball proposal would have allowed up to 56 games in the spring, along with four additional games or scrimmages in the fall, replacing the current limit of 56 total games.
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Upcoming NCAA and NJCAA Scholarship Signing Dates

Here’s a summary of upcoming NCAA and NJCAA signing dates for high school and junior college recruits.

 

November 1, 2025

The NJCAA Letter of Intent (LOI) signing opportunity begins November 1 for high school recruits in all sports except football.

November 12, 2025

High school seniors and junior college recruits in all sports other than Football can sign an athletic scholarship agreement with an NCAA Division I or II university beginning November 12.

December 3-5, 2026

NCAA Division I Football “Early” Signing Period.  High school and junior college Football recruits can sign an athletic scholarship agreement with an NCAA Division I university beginning December 3.

For Division II Football programs, it will only be permissible to sign a junior college recruit who is intending to transfer at midyear to that Division II university.

February 4, 2026

NCAA Division I and II Football programs begin their “regular” signing period for athletic scholarship agreements.

February 5, 2026

High school Football recruits can begin signing an NJCAA Letter of Intent (LOI).

Be sure to carefully read a scholarship agreement offered to your athlete.

Keep in mind that NCAA Division I programs may or may not offer athletic scholarships that cover more than one year of an athlete’s college enrollment.

If you have questions about these signing opportunities, schedule a confidential Scholarship Strategies Consult online, call our office at 913-766-1235 or email rick@informedathlete.com.

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NCAA Third-Party NIL Contracts – Important Info to Know

On October 1, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved an amendment to NIL rules as “emergency legislation” due to the upcoming Scholarship Signing Date on November 12 (for all sports other than Football). 


This amendment stipulates that effective July 1, 2025:

“An institution shall NOT provide a written or oral guarantee to a student-athlete of a third-party NIL contract or payment.”

“A guarantee is any written or oral statement that the institution will be responsible for such contract or payment if not fulfilled by the third party.”

There is an Exception to the above new rule which states:  “If prior to July 1, 2025, an institution guaranteed a third-party NIL contract or payment…such guarantee is permissible…”


What This Amendment Means:


For Student-Athletes who sign with a school on or after July 1, 2025:

  • Schools are NOT allowed to guarantee, either orally or in writing, that they will cover payment for a third-party NIL contract or payment should the third party not fulfill their obligation to the student-athlete. 

For Student-Athletes who signed an NIL Agreement with a school before July 1, 2025,

  • If an institution guaranteed a third-party NIL contract prior to July 1, 2025, the guarantee is permissible. 

Do You Have Questions?

If you or your athlete has questions regarding Signing Day – what it means and what to know specifically about your situation, schedule a confidential scholarship strategies consult online, call us at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com

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Frequently Asked Questions This Time of Year

With fall sports and classes starting, here’s a sample of some of the questions we frequently get this time of year: 

  • I’ve started practice with my college team, but I’m not sure this is the right fit for me and I’m thinking about leaving. Will that hurt my eligibility?
  • When does my eligibility “clock” start?
  • Will I be considered a transfer athlete if I leave this team after starting practices at this college?
  • What happens to my eligibility if I withdraw from classes after starting the semester?
  • My new coach just informed me that I likely won’t receive any playing time this season.  Do I have any options to transfer at this late date?  Or, could I take a gap year? 
  • I just learned that I may not be able to be eligible at my new college this year because I don’t have enough transferable credit hours.  Do I have any options for a waiver at this point?
  • How do I redshirt at the NCAA Division III level?

Do you have questions like these or others? 

We can help you in a confidential phone, Video, or What’s App consultation.  At one of these links, select a consultation:  Eligibility Issues Consult, a Transfer Consult, or a Scholarship Strategies Consult.  Don’t worry about whether you’re choosing the correct category of consultation.

Regardless of which category you choose, we will discuss your athlete’s specific situation, answer all your questions, and explain what options your athlete can consider.  Your privacy is our highest priority, therefore everything discussed is held in the highest confidence.  

You can also contact us directly by calling our office at 913-766-1235 or by sending an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

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