November key month in recruiting calendar for 2022 prospects
November has arrived, which means recruits are heading at warp speed toward the start of the early signing period.
With the early signing period beginning Dec. 15, the first three weeks of November continue to be an evaluation recruiting period for senior prospects. The evaluation recruiting period lasts from Sept. 1 through Nov. 27.
So, what exactly is an evaluation period?
Here’s the official definition of the evaluation period, from the 2021-2022 NCAA Recruiting calendar for the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision:
“An evaluation period is that period of time when it is permissible for authorized athletics department staff members to be involved in off-campus activities designed to assess the academic qualifications and playing ability of prospective student-athletes. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts shall be made with the prospective student-athlete during an evaluation period.”
In other words, through Saturday, Nov. 27, coaches may not see recruits off their campuses. Yes, recruiters can watch prospects play in games. But off-campus recruiting contact (even bumping into prospects) is not permitted.
Contact period begins Nov. 28
That all changes, though, on Sunday, Nov. 28.
That’s when the contact recruiting period begins. This window is open through Jan. 29, 2022, except for a dead period from Dec. 13-Jan. 13.
The dead period is exactly what it sounds like it is: “A period of
time when it is not permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off the member institution’s campus or to permit official or unofficial visits by prospective student-athletes to the institution’s campus.”
During the contact period, it is “permissible for authorized athletics department staff members to make in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts and evaluations.”
This is when college coaches start to make in-home visits with recruits and their families. It’s an important part of the recruiting calendar for both committed and uncommitted prospects.
For committed recruits, it’s an opportunity for family members to visit one-on-one with their future coaches. They often solidify their decision ahead of the opening of the early signing period on Dec. 15. For uncommitted recruits, it’s an invaluable opportunity for recruits and their families to pepper coaches with questions about their programs.
Elite recruiters use the home visit as an opportunity to set their institution and themselves above the rest.
During this window, a coach can visit the recruit once a week at school or at his home, or both. They can do that as long as they occur on the same calendar day.
Since the head football coach only makes one home visit, it is up to the assistant to make sure the timing of the visit and the recruiting game plan is coordinated.
The NCAA has a valuable tool for recruits on its website that defines the different recruiting periods for each class.