The Division I Council announced Thursday the approval for the NCAA preseason football model that’s been discussed at length recently.

“The Football Oversight Committee worked hard to create a model that balances the proper precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the need for an acclimatization period to safely return to play,” said Council chair M. Grace Calhoun, athletics director at Pennsylvania, in a release. “The Council members believe approving this model is a positive step forward for the sport.”

Assuming the first set of scheduled games actually happen on Saturday, September 5, the schools may conduct up to 8 hours of weight training, conditioning and film review per week from July 13-23.

Then, from July 24 through August 6, schools may conduct up to 20 hours of athletic activities per week that include the following:

  • Up to 8 hours per week of weight training and conditioning.
  • Up to 6 hours per week for walk-throughs.
  • Up to 6 hours per week for meetings.

Preseason football camp and practice then begins on August 6 and leads into the first weekend of the season.

Although college football isn’t officially back yet (we won’t know until August!), this is a big step in the right direction.