NCAA announces end of recruiting dead period

Texas A&M Athletics

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The NCAA has announced that normal recruiting practices will resume on June 1. The recruiting dead period officially lasted nearly 15 months. 

"We are delighted to announce that as of June 1, all sports will return to their normal recruiting calendars," said M. Grace Calhoun, chair of the Division I Council. "We want to thank all prospect student-athletes, their families, coaches and current student-athletes for their patience as we determined the best way to move forward safely with recruiting in Division I." 

In addition to a return to the normal recruiting calendar, the NCAA approved new rules to try and benefit football athletes that were impacted by the limitations. Namely, on-campus evaluations during official visits will be allowed in June and July of 2021. Coaches will be allowed 56 evaluation days during fall 2021 instead of 42. 

The committee passed a one-year waiver during the 2021-22 school year that will open the door for increased calls to recruits. In January, March, June and July, coaches will be allowed one call per week. No calls will be allowed in February, but calls will be at schools' discretion in April and May. 

The recruiting dead period had lasted since March 13, 2020 after all in-person contact was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of evaluation – mixed with the NCAA waiving eligibility and transfer restrictions – led to a historic low of high school recruits being signed. Texas State notably did not sign a single high school recruit. 

All new recruiting guidelines are dependent on local health restrictions. 

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