Class of 2027 · All sports except football
National Signing Day 2026: Wednesday, Nov. 11
Updated October 18, 2026. General information, not legal or compliance advice; confirm with the school's compliance office.
For the Class of 2027, Wednesday, November 11, 2026 is the first day recruits in most NCAA Division I and Division II sports can sign with a college. Division I basketball's early period runs Nov. 11 through Nov. 18. Football has its own dates (Dec. 2 and Feb. 3).[1]
What you actually sign in 2026
Division I no longer uses the National Letter of Intent. In October 2024 the NCAA replaced it with written offers of athletics aid and kept the same formula for signing dates.[2] After you sign one, other schools that offer athletics aid can no longer send you recruiting communications.[2] The NCAA notes that Division II schools may still use the NLI.[3]
This is a financial aid agreement between you and the school. The NCAA's advice: read it carefully before you sign.[3]
2026-27 NCAA 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.
Signing-week checklist
- Get the offer in writing. A verbal offer isn't something you can sign. Ask the coach when the written offer will arrive and what it covers.
- Read the aid terms. Find out the amount, whether it's for one year or more, and what happens if the coach leaves. The NCAA says most athletes get partial aid, not a full ride.[3]
- Check your eligibility status. Division I and II need an NCAA Eligibility Center certification account.[6][7]
- Ask about the timeline. Outside the basketball and football early windows, the last day to sign is set by each school's policy.[1]
- Not signing on Nov. 11? You don't have to. Outside the basketball early window, each school sets its own last day, so signing keeps going after Nov. 11.[1] Keep your list warm (see how to email college coaches).
NAIA, NJCAA and Division III
These dates are NCAA Division I and II rules. NAIA and junior college programs use their own processes, so ask the coach. Division III schools don't sign athletes to athletics aid agreements like these.
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More recruiting guides
- Football Early Signing Period: Dec. 2-4, 2026
- 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