Recruiting is one of the most exciting and addictive aspects of College Football 26, and it will likely consume much of your time once you dive into Dynasty Mode. Unlike other sports games where rosters can remain stable for years, college football demands constant roster turnover. Most players stay with their team for only four years before graduating or leaving for the NFL, meaning you must consistently bring in new high school talent to maintain success. Having a large number of CUT 26 Coins can help you succeed. Mastering the recruiting system is the key to building a lasting dynasty, and this guide will walk you through the fundamentals, strategies, and advanced tips to help you out-recruit your rivals.

 

The Basics of Recruiting

 

The recruiting system in College Football 26 is built around three major pillars, each of which plays a critical role in determining the level of talent your program can attract.

 

First, every recruit has their own unique motivations and needs. You discover these preferences by interacting with them, and learning what matters most—whether it’s early playing time, strong academics, or the chance to play in a prestigious conference.

 

Second, geography matters. Different regions of the country produce different types of players, and certain areas have higher concentrations of elite recruits. This design mirrors real-life high school football pipelines, adding authenticity and strategic depth.

 

Third, the strength of your program determines the scope of your recruiting reach. National powerhouses can cast a wide net and pursue players across the country, while smaller schools must focus on specific pipelines and realistic targets.

 

Building Your Recruiting Board

 

Before each season begins, you’ll create your recruiting board. This board can hold up to 35 prospects, and you’re allowed to offer the same number of scholarships over the course of the year. With thousands of recruits to choose from, building this list carefully is crucial.

 

Start by identifying your biggest needs, which are displayed at the top of the Prospect List screen. From there, prioritize five-star recruits with a pipeline rating of 5, as these prospects are both highly talented and have strong ties to your school’s recruiting region. Some will commit quickly once offered a scholarship. After that, look to four-star recruits with a 5 pipeline rating or five-star recruits with a 4 pipeline rating. The general rule is to balance star ranking with pipeline strength, gradually moving down the list as necessary.

 

As you gain experience, you’ll refine your searches by considering height, weight, and other traits that fit your system. Early on, however, focusing on stars and pipeline ratings gives you the strongest foundation.

 

Over time, you’ll also learn each prospect’s three core motivations. Some of these will be deal breakers. If a player values something your program is weak in, such as Championship Contender status, and you only carry a C grade in that area, it may be best to move on before wasting hours recruiting them.

 

Spending Recruiting Hours

 

Once the season begins, you’ll need to invest recruiting hours each week to court prospects. Players gradually narrow their choices from an open list to a Top 8, then Top 5, Top 3, and eventually, a final commitment. Your job is to stay above the cutoff each week so you remain in contention.

 

The number of hours you receive depends on your team’s prestige. A five-star powerhouse program begins with 1,000 hours per week, while a low-tier one-star school gets only 350. You can spend up to 50 hours on a single player, unless you have the special “Always Be Crootin’” ability, which allows up to 70 hours for select positions.

 

Here’s what you can do with those hours:

 

Scout: 10 hours (three to five sessions usually reveal all ratings)

 

Offer Scholarship: 5 hours

 

Search Social Media: 5 hours

 

Direct Message the Player: 10 hours

 

Contact Friends and Family: 25 hours

 

Send The House (all-out pitch): 50 hours

 

Soft Sell (Top 5 only): 20 hours

 

Hard Sell (Top 5 only): 40 hours

 

Sway (Top 5 only): 30 hours

 

Schedule Visit: 40 hours

 

Effective hour management is crucial. Save big investments like Hard Sell or scheduling visits for prospects who already have your school in their top five, and spread out scouting time early in the season to uncover hidden gems.

 

School Grades and Why They Matter

 

Every school is graded across 14 categories, which serve as the foundation of your recruiting pitch. These grades either align with or conflict with a recruit’s motivations. Green indicates a match, while red indicates a weakness. Strong grades in the right areas dramatically increase your chances of landing top talent.

 

The 14 categories are:

 

Academic Prestige (unchangeable)

 

Athletic Facilities

 

Brand Exposure

 

Campus Lifestyle (unchangeable)

 

Championship Contender

 

Coach Prestige

 

Coach Stability

 

Conference Prestige

 

Playing Style

 

Playing Time

 

Pro Potential

 

Program Tradition

 

Proximity to Home

 

Stadium Atmosphere

 

Most of these grades can improve—or decline—based on your performance, giving real weight to wins, losses, and long-term success. For example, recruiting elite talent becomes easier if your school has a strong NFL pipeline (Pro Potential) or consistent championship contention.

 

Scheduling Visits and Closing the Deal

 

One of the most powerful tools in your recruiting arsenal is the campus visit. Scheduling a visit costs 40 hours, but it can deliver huge momentum toward securing a commitment. The key is timing: schedule visits when your program’s strengths align with the recruit’s top motivations, and ideally during rivalry games or major matchups that are likely to end in a win. A strong visit can often seal the deal, pushing you past rival schools.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Recruiting in College Football 26 is more than just a background system—it’s the lifeblood of Dynasty Mode. Success comes from balancing long-term strategy with week-to-week decisions, learning when to chase five-star talent and when to pivot to realistic targets. By building your board wisely, investing recruiting hours strategically, and maximizing your school’s strengths, you can consistently outpace rivals and turn your program into a perennial contender.

 

In the end, recruiting is about more than just assembling a roster. It’s about shaping the identity of your program, building rivalries, and writing the kind of story that makes Dynasty Mode so addictive. Having plenty of NCAA 26 Coins can be a great help. Master it, and your school won’t just compete—it will dominate.