Football is one of the most popular sports in America, both at the professional and collegiate levels. The top rank of college football is Division I (D1) athletics, with over 130 teams across the major athletic conferences like the SEC, Big 10, ACC, and Pac-12. Landing one of the coveted D1 football scholarships is a dream for many high school athletes across the country. But how many scholarships are actually available? What are the scholarship rules and limits? This guide will take a deep dive into D1 football scholarships – from total scholarship numbers to the recruiting process and walk-on opportunities.
D1 Football Scholarship Limits
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sets scholarship limits and rules for all collegiate sports, including football. Under current NCAA rules, D1 FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) football programs are allowed to offer 85 total scholarships to student-athletes. This scholarship limit has been in place since 1992, when it was reduced from 95 scholarships.
The 85 scholarships are considered “counters” and include both “full ride” and partial scholarships that cover tuition, fees, room, board, books, and other expenses up to the full cost of attendance. Schools are not required to offer full scholarships and may divide scholarships in any manner they choose, but the total counters cannot exceed 85.
Walk-ons who are not on scholarship do not count toward the 85 limit. The scholarship limit also does not include early enrollees who arrive in January before the scholarship limits for the new academic year take effect.
D1 FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) schools, formerly known as Division I-AA, have a 63 scholarship limit. Other divisions like D2 and D3 do not allow athletic scholarships.
Scholarship Distribution
The 85 scholarship limit creates intense recruiting competition among D1 FBS schools. Most programs aim to use all their available scholarships each year. On a typical D1 FBS roster, there are approximately 25-30 new scholarship players in each recruiting class.
With positional needs changing year-to-year, coaches may sign larger numbers at key positions of need. However, the scholarships must be divided up to field a complete team with depth at each position. Here is an estimate of how the 85 scholarships may be distributed:
- Quarterback: 3-4 scholarships
- Running Back: 4-5
- Wide Receiver: 5-6
- Tight End: 2-3
- Offensive Line: 15-16
- Defensive Line: 10-12
- Linebacker: 5-6
- Defensive Back: 7-8
- Specialists (kickers, punters, long snappers): 3
Some players may also be on partial scholarships or walk on without aid. But the above estimates show how the 85 scholarship limit allows enough assistance for a full two-deep roster along with key reserves. Proper recruiting and development helps determine which programs make the best use of their 85 scholarships.
Recruiting Timelines and Processes
The intense competition to land a D1 football scholarship begins during a player’s sophomore year of high school. College programs start identifying and evaluating potential targets that fit their program. By junior year, players may receive their first scholarship offers. The recruiting process accelerates heading into a recruit’s senior season.
Official visits to campuses usually happen during a player’s senior year. Verbal scholarship commitments often occur during the fall and early winter before National Signing Day in February, when the recruiting class can formally sign their National Letters of Intent (NLI) and financial aid agreements.
Beyond the scholarship limits, schools are restricted to signing only 25 new scholarship players each winter for the incoming first-year class. But the 85 total scholarship limit remains in place and allows schools to backfill additional openings from transfers or early departures to the NFL draft.
Walk-On Opportunities
The 85 scholarship limit means many talented players do not land a scholarship out of high school. Yet many are still able to join D1 rosters as walk-ons who do not receive athletic aid. This provides a chance to potentially earn a scholarship down the road or be part of a top program as a non-scholarship player.
Walk-ons must often try out or be invited to join as a preferred walk-on. Rosters may hold 105-110 players total, allowing 20-25 walk-on spots beyond the 85 scholarship players. Walk-ons who prove themselves on scout teams and through strong work ethics may eventually be awarded a scholarship if one opens up. Though difficult to achieve, earning a scholarship as a walk-on is still possible for determined athletes.
Title IX Considerations
One other factor that impacts football scholarship numbers is Title IX gender equity rules. Since football roster sizes are so large, football scholarships are often decreased to help a school comply with Title IX and provide equitable scholarship opportunities for female athletes. In some cases, football scholarships may be reduced below 85 to help comply with federal regulations that impact all collegiate athletics.
The Intense Competition
Gaining even one of the coveted 85 football scholarships at the D1 level is extremely difficult. Competing with thousands of other recruits across the country, along with scholarship limits and NCAA rules, creates intense pressure to stand out and earn an offer. Athletes aspiring to play college football work their entire careers for the opportunity.
But for those who put in the work both on the field and in the classroom, a D1 football scholarship remains an achievable goal. Understanding the scholarship numbers, recruiting timelines, walk-on options, and Title IX considerations provides helpful guidance on navigating the competitive path to a D1 football program.
Conclusion
D1 football features some of the most elite college athletics in America. However, scholarship opportunities are limited due to intense national recruiting competition. Only around 25 scholarships per school are available each year for first-year students, with a total team limit of 85.
Scholarship distribution, along with recruiting timelines, walk-on options, and Title IX compliance, all impact scholarship availability. Still, a focused student-athlete with diligence both academically and athletically has a viable opportunity to fulfill their football dreams with a scholarship at the D1 level.
FAQs for D1 football scholarships:
How many football players are on scholarship at a D1 school?
Most D1 FBS football programs will have around 85 players on scholarship at any given time. The NCAA limits D1 schools to 85 total scholarships to distribute amongst their roster. Not every player is on a full scholarship, as coaches may divide up scholarships to stretch their recruiting budget. But 85 is the scholarship cap.
When can a high school player be offered a D1 scholarship?
NCAA rules prohibit formal scholarship offers until August 1st prior to a recruit’s senior year of high school. However, coaches can issue verbal offers and statements of interest before then. Most recruits begin hearing from colleges during their sophomore and junior seasons as they are identified and evaluated early in their high school careers.
What is the difference between a scholarship player and a walk-on?
Scholarship players receive some level of financial aid from the school to pay for tuition, room/board, books and fees. A walk-on is a player who joins the team without athletic scholarship money, though they can earn a scholarship down the road. Walk-ons often have to try out or be invited to join the team as a preferred walk-on. Rosters may hold 20-25 walk-ons beyond the 85 scholarship players.
If you want more information about this please click this link.
