Evergreen guide · Updated for 2026-27

Recruiting Timeline by Grad Year

Updated October 18, 2026. General information, not legal or compliance advice; confirm with the school's compliance office.

The dates below use the NCAA's general rules. In most Division I sports, coaches can start sending recruiting materials and electronic correspondence on June 15 after sophomore year, and some sports differ.^[5] Signing dates come from Bylaw 13.02.13.^[1]

Class of 2027 (seniors in 2026-27)

Nov. 11, 2026: first signing day for most DI and DII sports; DI basketball's early period runs through Nov. 18.^[1] Guide
Dec. 2–4, 2026: DI football early signing period.^[1] Guide
Feb. 3, 2027: DI and DII football regular period opens.^[1] Guide
Apr. 14, 2027: DI basketball regular period opens.^[1]
Have your counselor send your final transcript and proof of graduation to the NCAA Eligibility Center.^[6]

Class of 2028 (juniors)

June 15, 2026 has passed, so in most DI sports coaches can now send you recruiting correspondence.^[5] Check your sport's exceptions.
Division I requires 10 core courses (7 in English, math or science) finished before senior year. That's this year.^[6]
Build your list and start emailing coaches (see how to email college coaches).

Class of 2029 (sophomores)

June 15, 2027: the general Division I date when coaches can start writing to you.^[5]
Set up your NCAA Eligibility Center account. Your account type depends on your grade and plans.^[7]
Get your baseline measurables and film. You can email coaches before they're allowed to reply.

Class of 2030 (freshmen)

Take NCAA-approved core courses from day one. Division I needs 16 of them and a 2.3 core GPA.^[6]
Most DI coaches can't send you recruiting correspondence until June 15, 2028.^[5] Use the time to get better and to learn which levels fit you.

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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