Everything you need to know about the dead period for college football recruiting

The NCAA dead period is a key part of the year for college football fans, student-athletes, and programs alike. With the summer in full force, we're explaining everything you need to know about the NCAA football recruiting calendar, including the dead period and when it takes place.

What is the NCAA Dead Period?

The NCAA Dead Period is recognized as the most stringent phase in the recruiting timeline. During this period, coaches are strictly prohibited from any face-to-face interaction with prospective athletes and their families. This means that discussions on the college grounds, at the athlete’s educational institution, during sports camps, or even casual meetings are not permitted.

Despite the "dead period" moniker suggesting a complete halt in recruiting activities, that isn't entirely the case. Communication between athletes and coaches is still feasible through phone calls, emails, social media, and other forms of digital communication. Although in-person recruiting is off-limits for NCAA Division 1 programs during this time, D1 coaches can still reach out to student-athletes digitally throughout the dead period.

When is the NCAA Dead Period for Football?

The typically observed dead period aligns with the early signing period (applicable for sports that recognize an early signing period) in addition to the start of the regular signing period. But be aware these dates change every year. For 2024, June 24 through July 24 is a dead period.

Division III institutions, however, do not observe specific dead periods.

What is the Contact Period?

This one is pretty easy. 

Authorized personnel from the athletic department can conduct in-person and off-campus recruiting visits and assessments. College coaches may meet with prospective players off campus, either at their high school or homes. Each coach is allowed to conduct one visit per week to a particular recruit and is also permitted to make one weekly phone call to a recruit during this timeframe.

What is the Quiet Period of Recruiting?

The silent phase offers newcomers a slight respite in the recruitment process. During this quiet phase, coaches are prohibited from engaging in face-to-face interactions with prospective student-athletes or their relatives unless such interactions occur on the college's premises. Additionally, during this period, coaches cannot observe student-athlete competitions.

July 25-31 is the quiet period before the 2024 season kicks off, for example.

What is the Evaluation Period?

Staff members of the athletics department are permitted to engage in off-campus activities to evaluate prospects' academic qualifications and athletic capabilities. However, no direct off-campus recruiting interactions with a potential student-athlete are allowed during these assessments. 

College coaches may only participate by observing athletic competitions and/or visiting the prospect's educational institution to communicate with high school coaches and school officials. They are not permitted to converse with the prospect while on such visits other than to offer a simple greeting. Colleges are granted approximately 168 days each year to carry out such evaluations for all their potential recruits.