In the world of sports games, particularly with titles like College Football 25, players often seek new ways to challenge themselves once they've mastered the game's core mechanics. Recruiting, a critical aspect of dynasty mode, can become a bit too easy if you're not careful. That's where house rules come in. These self-imposed restrictions allow you to up the challenge and make recruiting feel more like a strategic puzzle.

Here's a roundup of various house rules to consider for your College Football 25 dynasty mode, designed to keep things fresh and realistic.

General House Rules for Recruiting

These rules touch on various aspects of the game, from the type of players you can recruit to how you interact with the recruiting tools.

Limit Recruiting by Star/Prestige Level

No recruiting players above a certain star rating: This rule adds difficulty and realism. For example, you might only recruit 3-star or 4-star players depending on your school's prestige.

You can only recruit players who are within one star of your team's prestige: If you're at a lower-tier school, this rule forces you to focus on developing talent rather than just snapping up top-tier recruits.

Pipeline and Location Rules

Only recruit from your pipelines: This rule limits your recruiting options to players from your school's pipeline states. It's a good way to encourage regional development and make recruiting feel more authentic.

Only recruit from your top pipeline state: Your home state should be your primary focus for recruits, and you can only target players who list your school in their top 10 preseason rankings.

You may recruit players from outside your pipelines if they are on your preseason top-10 list: If a recruit's preseason list includes your school, you can go after them, even if they're not from your usual pipeline areas.

Scouting Restrictions

No scouting after preseason: To make recruiting more challenging, you can restrict yourself from scouting players after the preseason. This means you're relying on the initial impressions of players, which can lead to some risky decisions.

No scouting at all: If you want to make the process even harder, disable scouting altogether. You will only recruit based on what you know from their initial ratings and offers.

Recruiting Player Types

No recruiting Scrambling ATH QBs: Scrambling ATH (Athlete) quarterbacks are often overpowered due to their versatility. Limiting them will force you to focus on more traditional quarterbacks.

No recruiting players who don't have an offer: You can only go after recruits who have already received an offer from at least one other school, which adds a sense of competition to the recruiting process.

Only recruit players who fit your scheme: If your team plays a 3-4 defense, for example, you can only recruit players who are suited for that system, like run-stopper DTs or outside linebackers. This keeps your roster more balanced and forces you to draft more strategically.

Recruiting Procedures

No adding players after preseason: Your list of 35 targets is set before the season begins, and you cannot add new players to the board later on, even if some drop off. This makes recruiting more focused and strategic.

No removing players from your board: Once a player is on your radar, you cannot remove them until they commit elsewhere, even if you lose interest or realize they're unlikely to commit.

Positional and Roster Management

No over-recruiting specific positions: Limit the number of recruits you take at any given position to ensure your roster remains balanced. For instance, if you already have five quarterbacks, don't recruit another for a few seasons.

No hard-selling players: This prevents you from using all the game's tools to lure recruits. You're forced to rely on the strength of your team's pitch rather than spamming the hard sell option.

Positional Recruiting Limitations

Zone defense focus: If you play a lot of zone defense, only recruit cornerbacks who specialize in zone coverage.

Run-stopper DTs for 3-4 defense: If you run a 3-4 defense, prioritize recruiting defensive tackles who are built for run-stopping rather than pass-rushing.

Miscellaneous House Rules

No recruiting players above a certain rating for midseason picks: Only target 4-5 star players at the start of the season and avoid recruiting 3-star players who haven't received an offer by midseason.

Recruit from the "recommended" tab: Instead of manually choosing recruits, only go after those listed in the recommended section to streamline your recruiting process and make things a bit more unpredictable.

House Rules to Increase Challenge

Recruit Only from Your School's State: Make it a rule to only recruit from your own state, reflecting a regional recruitment philosophy.

Limit Scholarships: Only offer a limited number of scholarships each year (e.g., 10 players per recruiting cycle), forcing you to be very selective Using Transfer Portal: Make your recruiting solely based on high school players and avoid transfers, unless it's absolutely necessary.

How House Rules Impact Your Dynasty

These house rules not only increase the challenge but also make recruiting feel more rewarding. By restricting certain aspects of recruiting, you force yourself to adapt to different scenarios, such as working within your school's limits, using creative scouting methods, or playing with a roster full of players who aren't necessarily highly rated but fit your system.

Ultimately, these house rules make your dynasty feel more like a long-term challenge, as you'll need to manage your recruits with more care and build a sustainable, competitive program without relying on quick fixes or elite talent. Whether you're simulating a small-school Cinderella story or trying to dominate with a powerhouse program, these rules can make every recruiting cycle feel fresh.

By the way, if you're interested in boosting your College Football 25 dynasty even further, you can always check out CFB 25 coins to make the game even more fun! Whether it's for recruiting, boosting your team, or advancing in the game faster, buying College Football 25 coins can give you the edge you need.