What is one of the main impacts of the recruiting dead period?

The recruiting dead period primarily restricts in-person evaluations by college coaches. During this time, coaches are not allowed to have face-to-face contact with recruits or their families, which significantly limits the opportunities for coaches to observe players during games or practices. As a result, coaches rely more on video footage and other means of assessment rather than direct observation. This lack of in-person evaluation can dramatically affect a recruit's visibility and ultimately their chances of being offered a scholarship since college coaches cannot assess their performance live or interact with them directly.

While digital recruitment strategies may enhance as a result of the dead period – allowing coaches and recruits to maintain communication through phone calls and virtual platforms – the primary impact is the restriction on personal evaluations. The other options relate to changes in the recruitment landscape but do not capture the full effect of the dead period as accurately as this one.