9th to 12th grade

Soccer recruiting timeline & contact rules

A plain-English summary, organized by grade so it works for any graduating class. Rules checked Oct 22, 2026. Rules change, so confirm details on the linked sources and with each school's compliance office.

You can reach out anytime

These limits are on coaches contacting you, not on you contacting them. At any grade you can email coaches, send film and your club schedule, fill out questionnaires and go to ID camps. Before June 15 after sophomore year, a Division I soccer coach can read your email but generally can't answer it with recruiting information, and under the 2019 rules D1 coaches in soccer also can't take your phone calls before that date.

NCAA Division I soccer (men's and women's)

  • Before June 15 after sophomore year: no recruiting calls, texts, emails, DMs or recruiting materials from D1 coaches, in either direction by phone.
  • June 15 after sophomore year: coaches can call, text, email and DM you and send recruiting materials. This is also the first date for a recruiting conversation (the NCAA's 2019 table lists verbal offers as "not legislated," with June 15 after sophomore year as the first recruiting interaction).
  • Aug. 1 before junior year: official visits (school pays), unofficial visits that involve the athletics department, and in-person off-campus contact can begin.
  • Recruiting talk at college camps: a D1 soccer coach can't have recruiting conversations with you at the school's own camp or clinic before Aug. 1 before junior year (Bylaw 13.12.1.5.1). Coaches can still coach you there at any age, and college camps can't be held during dead periods.
  • Written offers: a D1 school can't give you a written offer of athletics aid, or say in writing that aid will be offered, before Aug. 1 of your senior year (Bylaw 13.9.3.1).
  • Signing: D1 and D2 soccer use the "all other sports" signing date. For 2026-27, written offers of athletics aid can be signed starting Nov. 11, 2026; the final date depends on each school's policy.

2026-27 Division I calendars (published dates)

Men's soccer

  • Dead period: Nov. 9-12, 2026 (Monday-Thursday of the fall signing week).
  • Dead period: Dec. 11-14, 2026 (NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship weekend; a staff member may attend events held in conjunction with the championship in the host city).
  • Quiet period: Dec. 23-25, 2026 (in-person contact only on the college's campus).
  • All other dates are open for in-person recruiting under the general rules.

Women's soccer

  • Dead period: Aug. 1-11, 2026.
  • Dead period: Nov. 9-12, 2026 (fall signing week).
  • Dead period: Dec. 16, 2026 - Jan. 6, 2027.
  • Dead period: July 28-31, 2027.

During a dead period coaches can't meet you in person or watch you play, but calls, texts and email are still allowed after June 15 after sophomore year. Plan campus visits outside dead periods.

Division II, Division III, NAIA and JUCO

  • D2: under the 2026-27 D2 recruiting guide, recruiting materials and communication (calls, texts, email, DMs) are allowed at any time. In-person, off-campus contact and official visits can begin June 15 before junior year. D2 soccer players can sign starting Nov. 11, 2026.
  • D3: coaches may call, write and message you anytime. In-person, off-campus contact is allowed once you've completed sophomore year, and official visits can begin Jan. 1 of junior year. No athletic scholarships.
  • NAIA: no grade-based limits on contact or visits. Register with the NAIA Eligibility Center.
  • JUCO (NJCAA): no NCAA-style recruiting calendar. Under the 2026-27 NJCAA Sports Procedures Chart, soccer Letters of Intent can be signed starting Nov. 1; see JUCO & two-year routes.

Grade by grade

9th grade (freshman year)

  • Play at the highest level of club soccer that fits you, and make your high school team if your club allows it.
  • Take the right core classes from day one (see GPA & academics). Grades from 9th grade count.
  • Start a target list in the directory and fill out questionnaires. D3 and NAIA coaches can reply now; D2 coaches can message you too.
  • Save game film from club and high school games.

10th grade (sophomore year)

  • Build a first highlight video and send it, with your club schedule, to coaches at realistic schools. D1 coaches can read it but can't reply yet.
  • Go to a few ID camps at schools on your list. Create a free NCAA Eligibility Center Profile Page.
  • June 15 after 10th grade: D1 men's and women's soccer coaches can start calling, texting and messaging you. Expect the first real conversations here.

11th grade (junior year)

  • Aug. 1 before 11th grade: D1 official visits and off-campus contact open (women's soccer has a dead period Aug. 1-11, 2026, so the first in-person women's D1 contacts come after that). D2 contact and visits opened June 15 before junior year; D3 official visits open Jan. 1.
  • Showcase season matters most this year. Email coaches before each event with your field, time and jersey number.
  • Upgrade to an Eligibility Center Certification Account. Take the SAT/ACT if your target schools want it.
  • Many D1 programs make most commitments this year; D2, D3, NAIA and JUCO often recruit later.

12th grade (senior year)

  • Aug. 1 before 12th grade: D1 schools can start putting athletics aid offers in writing. Signing for D1 and D2 opens Nov. 11, 2026 (2026-27); NJCAA Letters of Intent from Nov. 1. Compare offers carefully; see Scholarships, offers & signing.
  • If you're still looking, keep emailing: many D2, D3, NAIA and JUCO rosters fill in the spring and summer.
  • Finish your core courses and request final transcripts and proof of graduation.

Transfers compete for your spot

  • College players can enter the D1 transfer portal during one window: Nov. 23 - Dec. 22, 2026 for both men's and women's soccer. The Oct. 7, 2026 Cabinet changes did not move the soccer window.
  • At schools in the House settlement, D1 soccer rosters are capped at 28 for men and for women. Keep D2, D3, NAIA and JUCO on your list too. See Roster limits.

Sources (checked Oct 22, 2026)