Class of 2027 · Football
Football Early Signing Period: Dec. 2-4, 2026
Updated October 18, 2026. General information, not legal or compliance advice; confirm with the school's compliance office.
For Division I football, the early signing period runs from 7 a.m. Wednesday, December 2, through Friday, December 4, 2026. Under Bylaw 13.02.13 it's the Wednesday after the final FBS regular-season game through that Friday.[1] Midyear two-year college transfers in DI and DII football can also sign starting Dec. 2.[1]
The calendar around it
NCAA's 2026-27 FBS recruiting calendar has a dead period from Nov. 30 to Dec. 31, 2026, coming right after the fall evaluation period (Sept. 1 to Nov. 29).[4] Expect calls, texts and video calls in early December rather than in-person visits. FCS programs follow their own Division I calendar, so check it on ncaa.org.
If you don't sign in December
The regular football signing period opens Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2027, and each school sets its own last day.[1] See Feb. 3 signing day.
Before you sign
- Confirm the written offer of athletics aid, which replaced the NLI.[2] Read the amount and the terms.[3]
- Make sure your NCAA Eligibility Center certification account is active.[7]
- Once you sign, other schools that offer athletics aid have to stop recruiting you.[2] Only sign when you're sure.
All 2026-27 signing dates
| NCAA Division I / II | First day to sign (from 7 a.m.) | Last day |
|---|---|---|
| All sports other than football and basketball (DI and DII) | Wed., Nov. 11, 2026 | Set by each school's aid policy |
| DI basketball, early period | Wed., Nov. 11, 2026 | Wed., Nov. 18, 2026 |
| DI football, early period | Wed., Dec. 2, 2026 | Fri., Dec. 4, 2026 |
| DI and DII football, midyear two-year college transfers | Wed., Dec. 2, 2026 | Set by each school |
| DI and DII football, regular period | Wed., Feb. 3, 2027 | Set by each school |
| DI basketball, regular period | Wed., Apr. 14, 2027 | Set by each school |
Dates come from the signing-date formula in NCAA Bylaw 13.02.13 (second Wednesday in November; the Wednesday after the final FBS regular-season game through that Friday; the first Wednesday in February; the Wednesday one week after the basketball championships) applied to the 2026-27 year.[1] Always confirm with the school's compliance office: it is the final word for your offer.
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More recruiting guides
- National Signing Day 2026: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Football National Signing Day: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2027
- How to Email College Coaches
- Recruiting Timeline by Grad Year
Sources
- [1] NCAA Legislative Services Database: Bylaw 13.02.13 signing dates (written offers of athletics aid)
- [2] NCAA.org, Oct. 9, 2024: DI Council adopts changes that replace the National Letter of Intent with written offers of athletics aid
- [3] NCAA.org: Scholarships & Financial Aid (signing your scholarship agreement)
- [4] NCAA: 2026-27 Division I Football Bowl Subdivision recruiting calendar (PDF)
- [5] NCAA Legislative Services Database: Division I Bylaw 13.4.1, recruiting materials and electronic correspondence
- [6] NCAA.org: Division I initial eligibility requirements
- [7] NCAA.org: NCAA Eligibility Center registration