The Division I Council has extended the recruiting dead period in all sports through January 1, 2021, the NCAA announced Wednesday night.

The dead period was implemented back in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and has been extended multiple times ever since. This dead period was set to run through September 30, but will now extend into 2021.

“While the Council acknowledged and appreciates the growing desire to resume in-person recruiting by select coaches’ associations, Council members ultimately concluded the primary concern right now must be protecting the current student-athletes on our campuses,” said Council Chair M. Grace Calhoun, athletics director at Pennsylvania.

Calhoun continued, encouraging coaches to interact with prospective student-athletes virtually during this time.

During the recruiting dead period, in-person recruiting visits aren’t allowed and coaches are prohibited from visiting a student-athletes’ high school or watching them compete. All recruiting visits must be done virtually, whether that be over the phone or by other means.

Additionally, programs are prohibited from giving complimentary game tickets to prospective student-athletes and coaches of prospective student-athletes during this dead period.

Yesterday, the Big Ten announced that it will resume its fall football season the weekend of October 24. Additionally, the NCAA announced that its men’s and women’s basketball seasons will tip-off November 25.