The 2026 college football recruiting cycle has been notably impacted by recent changes in revenue sharing and direct athlete payments, effective from July 1. The House settlement and a preliminary revenue sharing cap have shaped recruiting strategies, with budgets discussed earlier and more transparently than in previous years. Each school’s budget insights have allowed for strategic planning among top programs. With most recruiting activities completed before fall camps, further developments are anticipated as the early signing period approaches in December.
The House settlement, which now permits schools to pay their athletes directly, among other sweeping changes, officially took effect July 1.
According to personnel staffers, agents, recruits, and parents surveyed by ESPN this month on the condition of anonymity, byproducts of college football's new reality have been steering the 2026 cycle for months.
Now programs know what the budget will be, and harder numbers were discussed earlier than usual.
The ability for programs to get those numbers out there early was huge.
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