The Early Signing Period (ESP) for most NCAA sports opens in mid-November. For seniors who have received scholarship offers, that window is weeks away. For seniors who have not yet committed, it is the most important deadline in their recruiting calendar.

Either way, preparation is everything. Here is your five-step action plan.

Before you can sign a National Letter of Intent, your athlete must be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center (also called the Clearinghouse). If they have not done this yet, stop reading and do it today at eligibilitycenter.org.

Registration requires:

• A completed online profile
• Submission of transcripts from every high school attended
• SAT or ACT scores sent directly from the testing agency
• A list of all sports played and any amateurism questions answered

The Eligibility Center review process takes time. Do not wait until November to start it.

Also confirm: Your athlete's amateurism status is clear. If they have received any payment for athletic participation, competed on a professional team, or signed with an agent, there may be eligibility questions that need to be resolved before signing.

If your athlete has multiple offers, the time to make a final decision is now — not the week of signing. Waiting until the last minute creates pressure that leads to regret.

Work through these questions as a family:

• Which program gives your athlete the best opportunity to compete and develop?
• Which school is the best academic fit for their intended major?
• What does the total cost of attendance look like after the scholarship?
• How did you feel on campus? Can you see your athlete thriving there for four years?
• What is the coaching staff's track record with athletes at your athlete's position?

If you are still genuinely undecided between two programs, schedule a final call with each coach this week. Ask the questions you have not asked yet. Then make the decision.

The National Letter of Intent is a binding agreement. When your athlete signs it, they are committing to attend that institution for one academic year in exchange for the scholarship. If they decide to transfer before completing that year, they lose one year of eligibility and must sit out one year at the new school (with some exceptions).

Before signing, your family should understand:

• The exact scholarship amount and what it covers
• Whether the scholarship is renewable and under what conditions
• What happens to the scholarship if your athlete is injured
• The NLI release process if circumstances change

Read the NLI carefully. If anything is unclear, ask the coach or the school's compliance office to explain it.

Once the decision is made, get the paperwork in order.

What you will need:

• A completed NLI form (the school's compliance office will send this)
• Parent or guardian signature if your athlete is under 21
• Confirmation of your athlete's Eligibility Center certification status

Timing: The NLI can be signed during the Early Signing Period window. For most sports, this opens in mid-November. Check the exact dates for your athlete's sport at the NCAA website — dates vary by sport.

Signing day: Many families choose to make this a celebration. Coordinate with your athlete's high school if they want to do a signing ceremony. Notify coaches, family, and teammates in advance.

This step is often skipped — and it matters more than most families realize.

If your athlete has been in serious contact with other programs, those coaches deserve a direct, professional communication before or shortly after signing. A brief phone call or email is appropriate:

This is not just good manners. The recruiting world is small. Coaches talk. How your athlete handles this moment will be remembered — and it reflects on them as a person and a future teammate.

If your senior athlete does not have a scholarship offer heading into the Early Signing Period, do not panic — but do act immediately.

The Regular Signing Period runs through the spring for most sports, and many programs fill roster spots after the ESP. The key is to be proactive: update your recruiting profile, reach out directly to coaches at programs that are a realistic fit, and be honest about your timeline.

A senior without an offer in October is not out of options. But they need to be working the process every single day.

CARF's recruiting system gives seniors the tools, templates, and guidance to navigate the signing period with confidence. Learn more about CARF membership.