New NCAA standards will likely make a profound impact on the college football recruiting landscape.
Northwestern AD Jim Phillips, chairman of the NCAA Division I Council, said in a statement, "Today's adoption of the football legislation marks the most significant progress in recent years to improve the football environment and culture for current and prospective student-athletes and coaches."
"Importantly, the action of the NCAA Division I Council delivers on the charge of the Division I Board of Directors to comprehensively improve the football recruiting environment. This affirms that the new Division I governance structure can effectively and timely address important issues."
What does it all mean?
With this reform package, recruits will now be allowed to take official visits — paid for by schools — from April 1 of a high school player's junior year until the Sunday before the last Wednesday in June. Official visits previously were not allowed until after Sept. 1 of a prospect's senior year.
The earlier official visit period is designed to work along with an early signing period, yet the early signing period (expected to be in mid-December) was not voted on today. It is expected to be brought up for a vote in June. These new rule changes will take effect on Aug. 1 and will impact starting with the Class of 2019
Another important impact from Friday's action — one that takes effect immediately — reduces the time frame that FBS level schools can hold camps and attend clinics. These schools are now allowed just one 10-day period in June. Last summer, schools had two 15-day periods in June and July.
Another important change passed Friday is that all FBS schools are restricted to hold camps on NCAA facilities only, thus eliminating several third party satellite camps made popular the past two summers by Michigan head. The FCS-level schools are still allowed the two 15-day periods in June and July to conduct camps.