Newb here playing at DIII and planning for first time recruiting. I have scrolled through dozens of posts by searching for "ineligible" etc, but haven't found a full explanation. Am I piecing things together correctly?

1) Ineligible players may sign or may go JUCO
2) If they sign they can't play the first year (study block minutes all year)

Aside from, "do I have that right?" other Qs:

1) I read something about DIII ineligibility not counting; Am I correct that this means "all players projected to DIII are eligible, but if you sign a DII or DI projected ineligible player, they will be ineligible even for the DIII team?"
2) Does the player lose their freshman year or do you still have them for 4 years thereafter, as if they were sort of red-shirted?

Thanks in advance!

Ineligible players can play right away at D3; it's the only division where they can. I can't remember if they can opt to go JUCO but, if they can, I've never had it happen to me.

At D2 and D1, if I remember right (haven't played at either in a while), you're essentially reserving them for next season. They're on your roster but can't practice and therefore will not develop their skills, but they do still have four years of playing eligibility. You just have to wait a season before they can play.

ja covered it pretty well - I love targeting ineligible players as a D3 because they're less likely to be recruited by D1/D2 schools.

It's also important to note that someone can start as an ineligible but become eligible at some point in the recruiting periods. The higher the GPA, the more likely this is. So if you see an ineligible player with a 2.9 GPA, they'll almost always become eligible. With a 2.0 GPA, they almost never become eligible. If they have a 2.5, flip a coin.

And one more thing to consider - if you sign an ineligible at D3, the GPA (as Jay said) is going to be pretty bad coming in which means they'll require more study hall minutes early in their careers. I start with 10 for any ineligible I sign, then adjust at midterms if necessary.