The D3 Recruiting Calendar—Simplified

Get your schedule organized this Summer

Jun 12, 2025

If you're trying to play D3 sports in college, it is important to understand the NCAA D3 Recruiting Calendar.

However, unlike Divisions I and II, which have detailed recruiting calendars, the NCAA does not publish a specific recruiting calendar for Division III (D3) sports.

As a result, D3 operates with more flexible recruiting guidelines.

This D3 recruiting calendar guidance will tell you:

✅ When coaches can reach out & respond
✅ When you should start contacting coaches & visiting schools
✅ What to do this Summer
✅ And when it’s too early for anything

Let’s break it down.

D3 = No Contact Rules? Not Quite.

Unlike D1 and D2, D3 has fewer restrictions, but that doesn't mean there are no rules.

Here's what matters most ⤵️

Key Dates to Know

Coach Contact:

Coaches can respond to your emails, take calls, and meet in person any time after your sophomore year.
There are no recruiting “dead periods” like D1, so D3 recruiting is always live.

D3 Official & Unofficial Visits:

You can take unofficial visits at any time.
Official visits can happen after January 1st of a recruit’s junior year of high school.

Application Season:

Most D3 recruiting picks up Fall of senior year, but juniors should be emailing coaches now — especially for high-academic schools - to let them know where they’ll be playing this Summer.
Coaches can’t recruit you if they never see you play or watch your film.
If you’re a Sophomore or younger - it’s ok to start thinking about college but we encourage recruits to slow down.
Work on your game, focus on your grades, enjoy high school and being a kid. There will come a time for recruitment, but for now, there are other priorities.

For comprehensive information on D3 recruiting rules and guidelines, here are two resources we’ve found:

The NCAA's official D3 Compliance page:

👉 NCAA Division III Compliance

This resource provides valuable insights into the recruiting process, eligibility requirements, and other compliance-related matters pertinent to prospective Division III student-athletes.

This helpful brochure from the CCIW (A D3 Conference):

👉 D3 Athletics Recruiting Quick Reference Guide

If you have further questions or need assistance with specific aspects of the recruiting process, feel free to ask!

What To Do During the Summer

If you’re a Junior in high school, here are a few items to take care of this Summer:

✅ Finalize your highlight tape
✅ Build your target list of schools (10–15 in total)
✅ Start emailing coaches with your summer schedule
✅ Plan which ID camps to attend (Use our Camps List)
✅ Track responses in a simple spreadsheet

Final Thoughts

In D3 sports recruiting, the early bird doesn’t just get the worm — they get the campus visit invite and coach’s support in admissions.

But remember - it is ok to wait until your Junior year to get started!

All the best,

-D3Direct

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