FBS Oversight Committee introduces proposal to modify football calendar

The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee met this week and introduced a proposal to change the FBS calendar. The proposed changes remain subject to a final oversight committee vote in August. If adopted, they will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The proposal includes the following changes:

1. Out-of-Season Activities — Effective Jan. 1, 2027

A new out-of-season activities model would replace the current spring practice and summer activities legislation and allow FBS schools to conduct two out-of-season practice periods with a total of 21 on-field practices.  The duration of the two practice periods may not exceed seven weeks, and neither practice period may exceed five weeks. Additionally, schools must designate a minimum of nine discretionary or voluntary weeks for student-athletes when required athletically related activities are not permitted.

2. Modified Preseason Practice Period — Effective for the 2027 season

The preseason practice period would consist of 27 calendar days to conduct 21 practices. In making the recommendation, the committee noted that additional practice opportunities would be available during the spring and summer under the new out-of-season activities model, which warranted a four-day reduction in the length of the preseason practice period and a reduction in the number of practices from 25 to 21. 

3. Notification-of-Transfer Period — Effective Jan. 1, 2027

The notification-of-transfer period in January would change from a 15- to a 10-day period beginning the first business day following Jan. 1.

Discussion of Off-Campus Recruiting Concept

The committee reviewed membership feedback on potential changes to its off-campus recruiting model. Based on membership feedback, the committee developed a concept that would provide a yearly allotment of recruiting person days and permit up to 16 staff members and the head coach (17 total) to recruit off campus. 

The committee will solicit conference feedback on the concept and will consider introducing a proposal into the expedited legislative process during its July or August videoconference. Any changes to the off-campus recruiting model would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. 

Instant Replay Video Feed — Experimental Rule

The FBS Oversight Committee approved an experimental rule proposal from the NCAA Division I Football Rules Subcommittee to permit instant replay video output to be made available in real time to both coaches booths during games. Conferences may choose to implement the experimental rule during their conference games during the 2026 regular season.  For nonconference games, the visiting team may opt out, which means that neither team would be permitted to have instant replay video output available to the coaches' booth. Alternatively, the visiting team may agree with the home team to provide the video output to both teams' coaches booths. The current allowance to have the broadcast video in the coaches booths remains.