On Wednesday, the NCAA Division I Council unveiled a series of transformative changes that will reshape college athletics. These adjustments, crafted to address the evolving landscape of collegiate sports, encompass the elimination of the annual limit on initial counters, a substantial alteration to the transfer portal, and several other noteworthy modifications.
Elimination of Annual Limit on Initial Counters
One of the most significant alterations is the removal of the annual limit on initial counters. Historically, FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) programs were restricted to signing a maximum of 25 high school and junior college players, while FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) programs were allowed up to 30. This rule was originally put in place in 2011 in response to concerns about the excessive recruitment practices of certain SEC schools.
However, the landscape of college football has changed dramatically since then, largely due to the introduction of the transfer portal. This online platform has revolutionized the way student-athletes explore new opportunities and transfer between schools. In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the NCAA temporarily suspended the 25-man signing limit in FBS, signaling its intent to make this change permanent. Now, FBS programs will no longer be confined by annual signing limits but will instead be required to maintain a roster of 85 scholarship players or fewer by the start of each training camp.
This newfound flexibility offers coaches the freedom to bring in as many new players as they see fit, drastically altering the recruitment landscape in college football. It’s a significant shift that aims to accommodate the changing dynamics of the sport.
Transfer Portal Adjustment
The NCAA Division I Council has also addressed the transfer portal, introducing a pivotal change that impacts student-athletes across various sports, not just football. While this adjustment is not yet finalized, it is highly likely to be implemented, considering past NCAA business decisions.
Under the new rules, the transfer portal window will be shortened to 45 days. For football, this window will be divided into two segments: 30 days immediately following the season and 15 days following spring football. This marks a reduction from the previous 60-day portal window, which comprised 45 days after the season and 15 days after spring.
Initially, the Division I Council had contemplated halving the total window to just 30 days, but after input from the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, it was decided to extend it to 45 days. Additionally, student-athletes will have a 30-day window to enter the portal in the event of a head coaching change or if their financial aid is revoked.
Importantly, these changes grant student-athletes greater flexibility and the ability to explore their options without being constrained by overly restrictive timeframes. Athletes will not be obligated to select a new destination within the 45-day window; they only need to enter the portal during that time to gain immediate eligibility for the following season, provided it is their first undergraduate transfer.
Additional Changes Approved
In addition to the elimination of the initial counter limit, the Division I Council approved several other notable changes:
- Elimination of Attendance Requirements: Effective immediately, the requirement for schools to meet specific attendance criteria to achieve or maintain FBS membership has been eliminated. This change is expected to provide institutions with more autonomy in their decisions regarding conference affiliations and program development.
- Application Fee Increase: The cost of transitioning from FCS to FBS has seen a substantial increase, skyrocketing from $5,000 to $5 million. This significant fee hike, also effective immediately, reflects the increasing challenges and costs associated with transitioning between divisions.
- Scholarship Mandate: Beginning in 2027, all FBS programs will be required to offer at least 90 percent of available scholarships across 16 sports, including football. Additionally, FBS teams must fund a minimum of 210 scholarships per year, totaling no less than $6 million. This mandate is intended to promote greater equity in scholarship distribution and financial support for student-athletes.
- Unofficial Visit Photoshoots: Institutions are no longer permitted to be involved in taking or organizing photographs of prospective student-athletes and their companions during unofficial football recruitment visits.
While some of these changes provide newfound flexibility for both coaches and athletes, they also raise concerns regarding the integrity of the sport. The removal of the initial counter rule has the potential to enable coaches to essentially revamp an entire team, creating a completely new roster, raising important questions about the sport’s core values.
