NCAA Recruitment Terms You Need to Know

The student-athlete recruitment process can feel unwieldy on it’s best day.  While there are many ins and outs we think the best place to start is with an understanding of key terms.  As a follow up to our last NCAA terms you need to know post, we’ve highlighted additional important definitions.



Recruited Athlete - To be considered a “recruited prospective student-athlete,” athletes must be in contact with a college coach or representative about participating in that college’s athletic program.


Amatuer Certification - The process of certifying that the student athlete is an amatuer and has never played or competed professionally.


Contract - A contract is defined as a written or spoken form of agreement. In the NCAA, athletes committing to a Division I or II school sign a contract called a National Letter of Intent (NLI). This is a binding contract between you and the college you sign with that guarantees your athletic scholarship for one academic year.


National Letter of Intent (NLI) - For Division 1 and Division 2 programs, the student athlete signs the NLI to show commitment. Typically happens in November of the senior year.


True Freshman - student athlete who is in their first year of college both athletically and academically; not to be mistaken for a redshirt freshman.



Academic Redshirt - The student may practice with the team during their first semester of full-time college enrollment and receive an athletics scholarship but they may not compete during your first year of full-time college enrollment.


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