Navigating the New Division I (D1) College Football Recruiting Landscape

A recent lawsuit settlement impacted the scholarship limitations previously established by the NCAA Now, athletic programs do not have any scholarship limits for any sports. Sounds great, right?

There’s a twist: it also introduces roster limits. For football, we're looking at a possible cap of 105 players.

What does this mean for you? Schools can offer full or partial scholarships to all 105 players if they want. More scholarship opportunities! However, once that 105 limit is reached, that's it. No room for walk-ons after the roster is full.

For high school recruits, this means the competition for those 105 spots could be fiercer than ever. In addition to competing with players in the transfer portal. 

This change is a double-edged sword in the college football recruiting process. It opens up more scholarship possibilities but makes each roster spot more valuable. As a future Division I athlete, you'll need to bring your A-game to secure your place on the team.

Another recent change in Division I college football recruiting is the elimination of the 25-man new player limit on recruiting classes. Until 2023, teams could only sign 25 new players each year. Now, that limit is gone. Division I college football programs can sign as many new players as they want, as long as they stay within the overall roster limit.

The elimination of 25-man new limit on recruiting classes seems like it would open up the flood gates for high school recruits. But, with the expansion of the transfer portal, there is more  movement of experienced players. 

For you as a high school recruit, this could mean more opportunities at some universities. It could also mean potentially more competition. But high school recruits should also be aware: Some coaches might use this rule to over-sign players, making cuts later. Always make sure you understand the terms of any offer you receive.

This change, combined with the new roster limits, is reshaping how coaches build their teams. As a future Division I athlete, you'll need to navigate these new waters carefully.

With the college football playoffs expanding to 12 teams, the college football recruiting timeline is shifting. The championship game is scheduled for January 20th, 2025 when historically, the season was completed in the first week of January. Now, timelines and recruiting calendars are shifting a bit.

Take a look at the 2024-25 NCAA college football recruiting calendar for

Division I Football Championship Subdivision 

Division I Football Bowl Subdivision 

to see when the quiet, evaluation, and contact periods are happening this season.

What is NIL?

NIL stands for name, image, and likeness. It allows college athletes to make money from endorsements, sponsored social media posts, autograph signings, and more. It is a huge shift from the old rules, where athletes couldn't profit from their popularity.

How NIL Impacts College Football Recruiting

NIL opportunities may become a factor in recruiting decisions as the NCAA is currently not regulating NIL deals. Some programs may use potential NIL earnings as a recruiting tool. Other programs may use NIL deals as leverage to attract transfer or keep their current players. 

What You Need to Know about NIL

NIL is still evolving as the NCAA, university policies, and state regulations around NIL continue to change. Right now, 22 states have NIL legislation in place. (You can track each state’s NIL legislation here.) In states where NIL is not regulated, universities are stepping up and creating policies to manage NIL deals.

If NIL opportunities are something you are interested in pursuing, research the NIL landscape at the universities and within the state you are considering. Be sure to ask about how the athletics department supports its athletes interested in NIL.

Remember, the college football recruiting process is about finding the best overall fit for your athletic, academic, and personal goals. NIL is just one piece of the puzzle, albeit an increasingly important one.

Be sure you understand the full details behind any offer you receive. Think about what you are looking for in a university and a football team and stick to your values. What are elements of your current and previous teams that you’ve loved or wish were different? Make a list of your preferences and hold steady.

Understand what the offers and commitments are from the team’s perspective. What is guaranteed, what is included, and what is not included? Scholarships can include tuition coverage (in-state versus out-of-state), housing, fees, books, etc.

College football is evolving into a farm system. You have an active role in how your story evolves. This includes maintaining academic standards, excelling on the field, and committing yourself to the work so you are constantly improving as an athlete and student.