Commitment board

Playing college football is an academic process as much as an athletic one. The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies whether a student-athlete may practice, compete, and receive athletics aid in the first year at a Division I or II school.

Families typically create an account at eligibilitycenter.org. Division I and II prospects need an Academic and Amateurism (athletics) certification account — not just the free profile page. Division III domestic students can start with a free profile; each DIII school sets its own academic standards.

In general, DI/DII initial eligibility means graduating from high school, completing a required set of NCAA-approved core courses, earning a minimum core GPA, and completing amateurism questions. Test-score rules have changed in recent years — confirm the current standard on NCAA.org.

Registering early (often junior year) gives counselors time to send transcripts. Start with the NCAA: ncaa.org/eligibility-center.

Hudl film and MaxPreps stats help coaches find you. Athletic director Bo Orlando and school counselors are the on-campus people to ask.