What is the NCAA Football Signing Period – When Does it Start for 2024?

Let’s clear up any confusion. This article will clearly define the NCAA signing period  for all foottball players looking to play D1 or D2 in 2024. This will always be updated annually for the next year of recruits.

There are two NCAA signing periods in which football players can sign letters of intent. The NCAA signing periods are around December time and February time. Players need to keep in mind that nothing is official until you have signed your national letter of intent.

What is the NCAA College Football signing period?

The NCAA signing period is when a player commits to a school by signing their National Letter of Intent (NLI). It’s one of the most exciting moments in a players recruitment process. Signing the letter of intent means you are committed to the school and football team and your recruitment journey has finally come to an end.

What is the early NCAA College Football signing period?

This is the time in December (Winter) for players who are happy with an offer from a school and want to commit early. Remember to always carefully read your national letter of intent and follow the instructions given as there are always specific times and dates that need to be followed and met.

What is the National Letter of Intent (NLI) for NCAA College Football?

The national letter of intent is a binding contract between you the player & the school. The player (you) agrees to attend and compete for the school for a minimum of 1 year. You will also sign an athletic aid agreement at the same time. Remember, you are not required to sign an national letter of intent (NLI) but many players choose to do so when they receive one.  By signing your NLI, you are agreeing to attend the school for one year in exchange for the school’s promise (which will be in writing) which says that you will be provided athletic financial aid for the entire academic year. By signing an NLI you are admitted into the school and you are eligible for athletics aid under NCAA rules. With your signing, you have effectively ended your recruitment process. Once the NLI is signed the deal is done, a recruiting ban goes into effect immediately which means you can no longer be recruited by any other school. The school providing you with the athletic scholarship will send you an official NLI through either by mail, courier service, email, or even fax.  Why is the NLI only for 1 year? An athletic scholarships can be renewed every year at the school’s discretion. All players are notified as to whether or not your athletic aid has been extended.  Players are not required to sign a NLI each year.  Every athletic scholarship agreement is for a “full academic year” not just the athletic season.

NOTE: You sign your National Letter of Intent only once. You are not required to do it every year.

Do all NCAA Football Programs have players sign a NLI?

Most Division 1 & Division 2 schools have players sign a NLI. If you are a walk-on you will not sign a NLI. If you are attending a Division 3 school they typically do not have a NLI. NAIA schools and NJCAA schools have their own versions of the national letter of intent.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNING DATES FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PROSPECTS SIGNING IN 2024

What are the signing dates for seniors graduating & signing in 2024?

February 7, 2024 till April 1, 2024 (D1) and August 1, 2024 (D2)

What are the signing dates for players graduating in 2024?

Early signing period (Winter): Dec 20, 2023 till Dec 22, 2023Regular signing period (End-of-Winter): Feb 07, 2024 till  D1 – April 01, 2024 and D2 – August 01, 2024Are the dates different for NCAA D2 NLI signing dates? Yes. For Division 2 football the signing date begins on the same starting date, February 7th, 2024  but has a different final signing date on August 1, 2024.

What are the rules of NCAA signing National Letter of Intent?

• • Player’s can’t sign before National Signing Day
  • Must sign within 7 days of the issued date
  • Your parent or legal guardian must also sign if you are under 21 years old
  • College coaches can’t be present during the signing
  • If you don’t have your NCAA Eligibility Center amateur certification by the time school starts your NLI will be null & void
  • Once you sign your NLI your recruitment process has finished
  • You sign your NLI in duplicate and retain one copy of your signed NLI for your records.
  • You need to send the other copy back to the school
• Players are allowed to sign a NLI while on an official campus visit.
• The NLI does not guarantee playing time, it only guarantees financial reward for one academic year.
• The NLI is a binding agreement, even if the coach who offered the letter leaves the school.

When the school receives your signed national letter of intent, it is their responsibility to make sure that a copy is forwarded to their conference office. The school is required to file your national letter of intent with its conference within 14 days after the date of your signature. If this filing deadline is not met, the letter will unfortunately be declared invalid. To avoid this happening you can follow up with the schools admissions office. Remember: The school admission process is separate – you must make sure you have met all their requirements to be enrolled in college correctly.Advice:Don’t leave it till the last minute. Players reading this should make sure they have a solid recruitment process with a professional who offers help with college placement or, have solid contact with a coach instead of waiting to get started. Tip: Have Your NCAA Eligibily Center in Order. You don’t need to have final certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center to sign a NLI BUT, you will need to receive certification by the time you start school. If you don’t, your NLI will be null and void and you will lose your scholarship!

For those who are still trying to get recruited: Here are the dates & information about the recruitment periods for 2024 recruits:

The NCAA recruiting calendars are put in place by the NCAA to promote fairness among schools and student-athletes.  For this year’s seniors (class of 2024) the RECRUITMENT PERIODS dates are highlighted in RED:

Football Division 1:

August 1-31, 2024 – Dead Period September 1, 2023 through till November 27, 2023 – Quiet Period (Coaches can conduct evaluations during 42 days of their choice and 54 days for Services Academies. However, coaches are only allowed to visit a players school on one day during this time. November 28, 2023 through till December 17, 2023 – Evaluation/Recruiting Period (Coaches can make 6 in-person off campus contacts per player but, cannot meet a recruit more than once a week. December 18, 2023 – Quiet Period December 19, 2023 through till January 12, 2024 – Dead Period January 13-28, 2024 – Evaluation/Recruiting Period for National Service Academies ONLY (Jan 29, 2024 is a quiet period) January 30 through till February 28, 2024 – Dead Period March 01, 2024 through till April 14, 2024 – Quiet Period April 15 through till May 31, 2024 – Recruiting Period (Coach can do 168 evaluation days/216 for Service Academies. College Coaches/Recruiters can take 1 evaluation day to assess a recruits athletic ability and use another evaluation day to assess a recruits academics. June 01, 2024 through till July 31, 2024 – Quiet Period

Football Division 2:

INFO YOU NEED TO KNOW:During a contact period

• • A college coach can speak with you face-to-face or with your parent
  • They can watch you compete, visit your high schools and write and call you or your parents.

During an evaluation period

• • A college coach can watch you compete
  • Visit your high school and email and/or call you or your parents
  • A college coach can’t have face-to-face contact with you or your parents off the college’s campus

During a quiet period

• • A college coach can’t have face-to-face contact with you or your parents
  • They can’t watch you compete or visit your high school
  • Coaches can write or call you or your parents during this time

During a dead period

• A college coach can’t have face-to-face contact with you or your parents

• They can’t watch you compete or visit your high schools
• Coaches can write and call you or your parents