The college football recruiting calendar dictates how much and when coaches are allowed to contact and evaluate prospects, so keeping track of what can happen when may be the most difficult but important part of the recruiting process.
By placing limitations on the number of visits a student-athlete can take, how many times a coach can visit their school or home and watch them play, it prevents the process from becoming overwhelming for the recruit. However, it's all a bit confusing if you're not a coach or recruiting analyst.
That said, we've broken down the calendar and will explain what each period permits. And while the exact dates change from year to year, it'll come in handy for the 2018 recruiting class.
CONTACT PERIOD
Coaches can visit with prospective student-athletes and their families up to six times during this period, both at school and in their homes. They can only make one visit per week, however, even if the school has more than one prospect. Electronic and written communication is also permitted during this time.
DEAD PERIOD
The dead period is, well, exactly what it sounds like. Coaches cannot visit a prospect at school or at home, nor can they make contact if the prospect visits the university. Electronic and written communication is still allowed, but this is the most hands-off part of the calendar.
EVALUATION PERIOD
No off-campus contact is permitted during this period of time, which means no in-home visits. Coaches can visit a prospect's school twice, once for athletic evaluation and once for academic evaluation. College visits are also allowed, as are electronic and written communication.
SPECIAL EVALUATION PERIOD
From September through October, coaches can attend a prospect's practice or watch their high school game. It coincides with the quiet period, though, so coaches must give advance written notice of their visit and may only visit for this purpose once during this time.
QUIET PERIOD
Because they cannot meet with or watch prospects compete during this time, coaches will have recruits unofficially visit campus. It allows prospects to see the facilities, watch practice or a game and meet with coaches one-on-one. As always, electronic and written communication is permitted.
| DATE | PERIOD | CAN PROSPECT VISIT UNIVERSITY? | CAN COACHES VISIT PROSPECT'S SCHOOL? | CAN COACHES VISIT PROSPECT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEB. 3-APRIL 14 | QUIET | YES | NO | NO |
| APRIL 15-MAY 31 | EVALUATION | YES | YES | NO |
| JUNE 1-26 | QUIET | YES | NO | NO |
| JUNE 27-JULY-9 | DEAD | NO | NO | NO |
| JULY 10-31 | QUIET | YES | NO | NO |
| AUG. 1-NOV. 26 | QUIET* | YES | NO | NO |
| SEPT. 1-NOV. 30 | SPECIAL EVALUATION* | YES | YES | NO |
| NOV. 27-DEC. 11 | CONTACT* | YES | YES | YES |
| DEC 12-JAN. 10, 2018 | DEAD* | NO | NO | NO |
| JAN. 11-FEB. 4 | CONTACT* | YES | YES | YES |
| FEB. 5 | QUIET* | YES | NO | NO |
| FEB. 6-8 | DEAD** | NO | NO | NO |
*Will change upon approval of an early signing period
**Signing Day is Feb. 7, 2018
