On and on it keeps going as the nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some things beginning to re-open in phases across this country, on Wednesday, the NCAA has decided to extend the recruiting dead period through June 30.
So what does that mean? Basically, it means coaches cannot have in-person contact with recruits. They cannot physically visit them, and the prospects cannot come for official or unofficial visits to campus. Coaches may still talk and text players on the phone, but no face-to-face meetings.
The Division I Council Coordination Committee last extended its recruiting dead period through May 31 on April 1 and said it will now reevaluate whether to extend things further on May 27.
For FBS football programs, this extension means even if it is lifted on June 30, there is already a recruiting dead period baked in from July 1 through 24 in a normal year. Some of the other sports would potentially be able to get back to in-person recruiting should the period be allowed to expire.
Division I extends its recruiting dead period. pic.twitter.com/Gt2Aq1Mkb9
— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) May 13, 2020
For Ohio State, the dead period hasn’t been much of a problem. The coaches have been able to work within the confines of the rules and still land a slew of commitments that have in the No. 1 overall class for 2021 at the moment according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Oh, who are we kidding, OSU’s class ranks No. 1 from every single reputable recruiting service and is in the running to break some records.
For now, things must remain status quo until the end of June. We’ll see what decisions are made at the end of May to this model.
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