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

Sep 19, 2024

6 min read

Welcome to The Future of Division 1! Your ultimate guide to conquering the D1 recruiting landscape.

From lawsuits to legislation, the college athletics landscape is shifting. The world of college football recruiting is evolving rapidly. Athletic conferences are realigning at record speed. While these changes bring exciting opportunities, they also present new challenges for high school recruits like you.

Here's the reality check: the college recruiting game has changed. With the expansion of the transfer portal, there are fewer spots available for freshmen as competition from experienced college players intensifies. The rise of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals is also impacting college football recruiting. But don't let this intimidate you. Knowledge is power, and that's exactly what we're here to provide. By understanding these challenges, you can better prepare yourself to overcome them.

In this post, we'll break down the major shifts in college football recruiting and show you how they might impact your Division I journey. We'll cover everything from the transfer portal and changing roster sizes to the new world of NIL.

The path may be more complex than ever, but with the right information and preparation, you can achieve your dreams of playing Division I college football. Let's dive in!

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Understanding the New College Football Recruiting Landscape

Recent Changes in the College Football Recruiting Process

If you've been keeping an eye on college football and athletics, your head might be spinning. Changes are happening so fast and furious that even the most dedicated fans and athletes are struggling to keep up. And it may be challenging to understand how these changes impact future Division I athletes.

But don't worry - that's why we're here.

Let's break down some of the recent changes that are reshaping the Division I college football recruiting landscape:

Transfer Portal

Recently, the NCAA changed its transfer rules for college athletes. Now, athletes no longer have to sit out a season when they transfer to a new university to play their sport.

The transfer portal is essentially creating a form of free agency in college sports. It's giving athletes more control over their collegiate playing careers. It's also shifting the college football recruiting landscape, making it more complex and competitive than ever before.

For high school recruits, the expansion of the transfer portal might mean more competition for roster spots. Now, Division I football coaches can easily bring in experienced college football athletes through the portal. On the flip side, it also means more opportunities might open up at schools where athletes have left through the portal.

According to Dr. Regina Johnson, an ACC athletics academics professional, “the ‘true freshman’ is slowly becoming extinct”. More teams are relying on experienced transfers to fill key positions.

Roster Sizes

College Football Recruiting Class Limits, No More.

Division I College Football Recruiting Calendar Shift

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and Division I Football Recruiting

So, What Are We To Do Now?

There are 134 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs and 129 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs. If roster sizes are 105 per team, that means there are 14,070 roster spots available in the FBS alone.

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So, despite the challenges, there are still plenty of opportunities in Division I college football. Here are a few ways to move forward:

Adjust Your Expectations and Think Long-Term

Consider broadening the scope of programs and universities you're considering for your first year. Expanding beyond the “perfect school” can open up opportunities you may not have previously considered.

And the transfer portal is there for you to use, too. The transfer portal opens up new opportunities after you've proven yourself on the field. The future of Division I college football recruitment will continue to be players taking advantage of the transfer portal. “Go to a smaller school, really outperform and establish your skills, and enter the transfer portal,” Dr. Regina Johnson, an ACC athletics academics professional said. “The opportunity is there, you just have to expand your expectations and take advantage of the transfer system.” With a season or two of stellar performance under your belt, you can potentially move to the next level.

Do Your Due Diligence

Stay Informed

Conclusion

The landscape of college football recruiting is changing, but opportunities are out there for dedicated athletes willing to adapt and work hard.

Remember, football legends like Aaron Rodgers weren't recruited out of high school, and Russell Wilson and T.Y. Hilton were only two-star prospects. Your story is still being written, and it could be even greater than theirs.

Stay informed, be proactive, and keep your options open. The future of Division I is changing, but guess what? You are The Future of D1. Let's make it happen together.

Proclaim your future #IAmTheFutureOfD1