The College Sports Commission board of managers approved changes to its enforcement policy. Deals worth between $600 and $2,500 will not be subject to a range-of-compensation review unless an athlete reaches a total of $15,000 in deals signed in a year. It used to be just $600 which kept some kids from even attempting to get an NIL deal from a local merchant. I think this means that you're free to work out what can — and if you can make more than $15,000 in a year, you should sit down with your compliance director to make sure you're following the new protocols.

I bring you all of this NIL stuff (when kickers and punters are at the bottom of the food chain) because it IS THE NEW REALITY of college sports. EVERY level is affected by the choices (or lack thereof) that the NCAA is making simply to save their own skins. If they are in it for the athletes, then they have the power to alter the NEW RULES to become GOOD RULES. This rant by John Calipari, the Arkansas BASKETBALL coach, should be law. It's basically what I believe. We are NOT there yet, but I think, smarter minds will eventually get there. I need high school players who think they want to play in college, active college players and all of their parents to begin to see how this GAME works... and how it most likely WILL WORK.

NCAA Considers Stronger Penalties for Improper Division I Transfers _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TLTR: If you've had a good year in D2 or D3 an are looking to MOVE UP to a D1 school... make sure to see your Compliance Officer. Do it wrong and you and your new school can be ZAPPED! _ _ _ FULL STORY: To prevent athletes from transferring to a Division I program without entering the Transfer Portal through the required notification process, the FBS Oversight Subcommittee recently recommended that the Division I Cabinet impose significant penalties on any university that allows an athlete to join its team outside of the established portal procedures. Under current rules, an athlete may still transfer to another university and remain eligible without entering the Transfer Portal, provided the athlete and their family follow the conditions and steps listed below. - The athlete must apply and be admitted to the new university through the normal transfer admissions process, just like any other student. The athletic department may not assist in facilitating the transfer.  - The athlete may not communicate with athletic department staff members at the new school — either directly or through family members or third parties.  - The athlete may not join the team or participate in athletically related activities until they are officially enrolled and attending classes at the university. However, if this recommendation is approved by the Division I Cabinet in April, the following penalties could be imposed: - The head football coach would be prohibited from all coaching, recruiting, and administrative duties for six games. - The university would be fined an amount equal to 20% of its football program budget. - The football program’s roster limit would be reduced for the following season. Just days after the FBS Oversight Committee issued its recommendation, the Division I Cabinet signaled its support for the proposal.

Here’s what families need to know about February NCAA and NJCAA football signing dates for high school and junior college recruits: February 4, 2026 - NCAA Division I and II football programs begin their “regular” signing period for athletic scholarship agreements with both high school and junior college recruits. - (Note: Division I had its “early” signing period in December, and both Divisions had a December period for junior college signings.) February 5, 2026 - High school football recruits may begin signing an NJCAA Letter of Intent (LOI). Important Scholarship Reminder - NCAA Division I programs may or may not offer a multi-year scholarship. - Division II and NJCAA scholarships are issued for one year only, subject to renewal. - Always carefully review the terms and conditions of any scholarship agreement before signing. A Few FAQ's: Q: Can my athlete wait to sign later in the spring?Yes. The regular signing period remains open beyond February, but roster spots and scholarship money may become limited. Q: Is a verbal commitment binding?No. Only a signed scholarship agreement (NCAA) or LOI (NJCAA) is binding. Q: Can an athlete negotiate scholarship terms?Sometimes. It depends on the program and circumstances, but families should understand what is being offered before accepting. Q: Does signing lock my athlete into staying at that school?Signing creates an agreement for that academic year, but transfer rules still apply if an athlete later chooses to move. _ _ _ Source: Rick Allen at Informed Athlete

Under terms of the landmark House settlement, which received final approval last summer and paved the way for the foundation of the CSC (College Sports Commission), third-party NIL deals* worth more than $600 must be reported to the NIL Go clearinghouse. "What's a 3rd Party Deal," you ask? A 3rd PARTY DEAL is a contractual agreement where a college athlete (that's you) receives compensation — money, products, or services — from an entity outside the university (i.e., brands, boosters, collectives) in exchange for using your name, image, and likeness for marketing, endorsements, or appearances 3rd Party Deals are independent of the school (though they must follow NCAA and state regulations.) Such as... - Purpose: Compensation must be for a valid business purpose (i.e., social media posts, endorsements, autographs) and not a direct "pay-for-play" inducement — although that boundary is often blurred by "collectives". - Market Value: Deals must reflect fair market value for the services provided. - Restrictions: You can't endorse gambling, tobacco, and X-rated stuff. - Reporting: Deals exceeding $600 (see above) must be reported to the school and the CSC to ensure transparency. - Independence: These payments do not count toward the NCAA-mandated revenue sharing cap between schools and athletes.  Common examples include NIL collectives paying athletes to promote local businesses, signing autographs at corporate events, or social media partnerships.