Athletics Veritas is a weekly series aimed at helping higher education executives, faculty, and other stakeholders stay tuned in on trending national issues impacting college athletics, especially NCAA Division I. Athletics Veritas is created by senior DI athletic administrators around the nation.
Term-In-Ology: Annual Signing Limit for FBS Football
With the regular signing period for FBS beginning next Wednesday, it’s worth noting that NCAA rules hold there shall be an annual limit of 25 for FBS programs on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and student-athletes who may sign a financial aid agreement for the first time.
A prospect who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid or a student-athlete who signs a financial aid agreement that specifies financial aid will be initially provided in the fall term of an academic year shall count toward the annual limit on signings for that academic year.
A prospect who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid or a student-athlete who signs a financial aid agreement that specifies financial aid will be initially provided during the second or third term of the academic year may count toward the limit for that academic year or the limit for the next academic year.
FBS football had its early signing period during a three-day window in December and, with the regular signing period coming next week, Division I FBS programs need to monitor how many scholarship offers that include aid for the fall term are going out the door to ensure the program does not exceed this annual limit. There are exceptions to this rule (e.g., a prospect who becomes injured or ill to the point they never again will participate in athletics would not count against annual signing limits).
Although there has been discussion in Division I circles about potentially carving out other exceptions to the annual FBS signing limit in light of the pandemic as well as roster depletion in light of coaching changes and NCAA transfer portal activity, FBS football programs are still held to the annual limit of 25 at this time.
Athletics Veritas is presented for information purposes only and should not be considered advice or counsel on NCAA compliance matters. For guidance on NCAA rules and processes, always consult your university’s athletics compliance office, conference office, and/or the NCAA.
