“The new rules changes mean player and parents need to know two things: What are my measurements and how do I get to a college camp.” – Dan Gilligan, Dir. of Scouting
NCAA’s New Recruiting Rules Bring Major Changes for 2025 and Future Graduates
The NCAA Division I Council has approved a new recruiting model for Division I Baseball, which has the support of most Division I baseball coaches. The updated model aims to curb the recruitment and committing of young recruits, as it disallows contact between a coach or player until August 1 of the recruit’s junior academic semester.
Before this rule, a player, parent or third-party representative could contact a coach on behalf of the player, thus leading to scholarship offers and, in some cases, college commitments. Under the new model, a coach, player, parent or third-party member cannot initiate contact with one another before August 1 of a recruit’s junior fall semester.
This rule makes it clear who is skirting some of the rules, and though it will not entirely eradicate recruitment of freshmen or, in some cases, eighth graders, it aims to make it difficult for programs to offer scholarships to student-athletes before August 1 of their junior year.
The rule will allow both programs and players to make the most educated decisions possible about their futures as baseball players. Additionally, it places more importance on attending campus on college campuses, as establishing a strong relationship with a coaching staff is paramount to the recruiting process.
Not everyone is in favor of the new rules, with some arguing that it will negatively impact high school players, make the transfer portal more powerful, and push more players to junior college. Only time will tell how these changes affect the recruiting landscape in Division I Baseball.
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KEY DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 1 before Junior Year – Players may contact coaches to express interest, BUT coaches may NOT contact players, EXCEPT to invite them to Prospect Camps, where they can interact with players.
September 1 of Junior Year – Full contact is permitted. Players can reach out to coaches and coaches can reach out to players. Full dialogue is permitted – Email, Text, DM, Social Media and phone calls
Mark Seibel
Mark is a former D3 pitcher and a baseball adviser who has helped hundreds of high school athletes achieve their dreams
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