The calendar changes today
September 30 is the last day of the fall contact period for FBS programs recruiting the class of 2027.
Starting October 1, the calendar shifts to an evaluation-only period that runs through February 28, 2027. During that window, authorized coaching staff can attend scholastic competitions to assess a prospect's playing ability. What they cannot do is initiate in-person, off-campus contact with the athlete or family.
That distinction matters for families who have been in active conversations with programs throughout September.
What the difference between contact and evaluation actually means
During a contact period, coaches can come to your athlete's school, home, or an off-campus event and initiate a direct conversation. A coach who attends a Friday game in October can stand on the opposite sideline and watch your athlete play. He cannot walk over and introduce himself afterward.
This does not mean recruiting stops. Phone calls, text messages, emails, and direct messages are permitted during evaluation periods. On-campus visits, including unofficial visits, remain available year-round. What changes is who can initiate in-person conversation, and where.
What this means for 2027 families
Families who moved through active in-person contact with programs during September are in a good position going into this period. The evaluation window is a natural time for recruiting volume to slow, but existing relationships continue through other channels.
The situation is different for families who have not yet had in-person contact with programs they are seriously considering. The next contact period for 2027 seniors does not open until March 1, 2027. By that point, most FBS programs will have the majority of their class committed. Programs that are still recruiting in March tend to have fewer open spots, and the competition for those spots is sharper.
The advisory framing going into October
For 2027 families in the evaluation period, the practical focus shifts toward three areas.
- Current film matters more than ever. Coaches attending games in October are evaluating what they see on that field. Outdated highlight reels or film that does not reflect the athlete's current form reduces the value of an evaluation visit.
- Responsiveness keeps relationships warm. A coach who cannot approach your athlete at a game may send a text message after watching. Prompt, professional responses keep conversations moving during a period when coaches have fewer tools to initiate contact.
- On-campus visits are still available. Unofficial visits to campus are permitted year-round. If your family wants face-to-face time with a program before the early signing period opens December 4, that path runs through an on-campus visit, not through a coach approaching at your athlete's game.
The evaluation period is not a pause in recruiting. It is a phase with different mechanics. Understanding what coaches can and cannot do in October is what allows families to use the next several months well.