Report: NCAA moving toward immediate expansion of signing class limit

The NCAA is nearing an expansion of the 25-person signing limit as a way for football coaches to replace players they’ve lost to the transfer portal, sources told Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger.

The NCAA's Division I football oversight committee is reportedly working on a proposal that would change the signing limit this cycle as a one-year waiver until a permanent policy is put in place.

Under the reported proposal, schools would be able to sign 25 players to their recruiting class and gain additional roster spots for players who transfer out of the system, up to a certain limit. Additional spots would only apply when players transfer of their own accord; the number of spots would be capped at certain figures.

Schools would reportedly not gain spots for players dismissed from the team, pushed out by coaches, or who enter the NFL draft.

Alternative proposals that would increase the total number of signees to the 2022 recruiting class are also being considered.

Schools currently have a limit of 85 scholarship players for a football team. Programs are allowed to sign 25 prospects to a recruiting class.

Coaches have been advocating for roster relief after the NCAA granted athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic and with the rise of attrition associated with the transfer portal.

The committee will reconvene Thursday to continue discussions and perhaps vote on the measure.