The NCAA is adopting new football recruiting rules that will allow coaches and staff members more access to high school athletes during the summer, but with some added restrictions.

Announced Wednesday in a news release, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors adopted five new recruiting rules for football. The changes are to be put into effect immediately for Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools.

The Legislative Council and the Leadership Council, groups made up of representatives from all 32 Division I conferences, approved the new rules. In addition, the Leadership Council was asked to focus on various other issues.

The new rules are (paraphrased) as follows:

  • During an eight-week summer period, student-athletes may participate in weight lifting and conditioning for eight hours per week. Two of those eight hours may be used for film review.
  • School staff members may not attend all-star games or any activity associated with that type of game or interface with the student-athlete from the time the he arrives to the event to the time he goes home or back to school.
  • A dead period in accordance with the winter holidays and the American Football Coaches Association Convention where no in-home visits or in-person meetings can take place.
  • A 14-day dead period in late June/early July for FBS schools.
  • Schools may pay for meals for the recruit and up to four accompanying family members on an official visit. This is an amendment to a previous rule that only allowed a school to pay for the meal of a recruit and his parents, legal guardians, spouse or children, excluding siblings and other family members. The change was made to allow schools accommodate for any recruit's specific family situation.

Although not a rule change or addition, the board asked the Leadership Council to study the merits of student-athletes taking online courses. The board wanted to know if this is a good alternative for student-athletes with hectic schedules that include football activities, studying and, in some cases, work.

Some school presidents strongly encourage the presence of student-athletes in the classroom and on campus, but the board believes they should be entitled to the same opportunities as any student.

After winning the Heisman Trophy last year as a freshman, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel caused a stir when he said he was enrolling in online classes to avoid common commotions he caused by being in public.

CLICK HERE to read the new rules in full.