BuckTwenty
Parties with Pete Johnson's Beard
Wait... so you're saying the SEC majority was against it?
Enact this early signing period. PRONTO!
Enact this early signing period. PRONTO!
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Extra, early signing period sought by college football coaches
College football teams can begin signing high school players to scholarships a week from Wednesday, but if some assistant coaches have their way, that day might be muted by an early period.
A recent survey of major college coaching staffs found 60% favor a second, earlier signing period for football, much like basketball has in November. The overwhelming majority of those assistant coaches in favor of an early period prefer mid-December, according to the survey discussed at the recent American Football Coaches Association convention.
The main rationale: a growing number of early, non-binding oral commitments by high school players in recent years. According to Rob Ianello, wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Notre Dame, more than 1,500 high school players had committed to 117 schools in time for an early signing period in December.
"The process is to the point right now where kids have decided where they want to go to school," says Ianello, the assistant coaches' representative to the AFCA board of trustees. "The average was about 13.2 per school, which is over half your class.
"The calendar has accelerated itself."
Cont'd ...
MililaniBuckeye;853888; said:I think a kid should be able to sign his LOI the day he's allowed to "legally" commit.
Bucknotes: Time For Early Signing Period Has Arrived
In today's edition of Bucknotes, Dave Biddle weighs the pros and cons that would come along with an early signing period in college football. Other topics include the NCAA's interesting interpretation of the intentional grounding rule, what round Kirk Barton might hear his named called in April's NFL draft, a terrible OSU basketball promo on Big Ten Network and much more.
Cont'd..
Early signing date unlikely in football
Topic gets more buzz, but opinions are split
Sunday, June 29, 2008
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Dispatch File Photo
Jim Tressel on signing day: "The ideal time would be Aug. 1. Then (recruits) can say to their high school teammates, 'Look, I'm focused on you. My senior season in high school is all about you guys.'"Jonathan Newsome was ready to apply his John Hancock if given the chance.
Early last week, the blue-chip linebacker from Cleveland Glenville became the 23rd commitment to Ohio State's fast-filling 2009 recruiting class. Like the other 22, he must wait until Feb. 7 to actually sign a national letter of intent.
But what if college football were like college basketball? What if it had an early signing date for prospects who know where they want to go?
"I know for a fact I'm going to Ohio State, so if they had a signing day tomorrow I would sign," Newsome said. "If they don't have one tomorrow, then I'll sign in February."
He laughed, but he wasn't kidding. That's one reason why calls for an early signing day for football are getting louder.
"So many of these prospects are getting so much information at an earlier age that many are ready to decide much earlier," OSU coach Jim Tressel said.
The coaches in the Southeastern Conference voted 9-3 in May to push for an early date. Their immediate bosses, the athletic directors, quickly shot down the idea, saying more study was needed.
Indeed, there's no consensus on when the early signing day should be. SEC coaches proposed the first Monday before Dec. 1, in accordance with current recruiting rules that don't allow a prospect to take an official visit to a college until after he starts his senior academic year.
That's not early enough for Tressel.
"The ideal time would be Aug. 1," he said. "Then they can say to their high school teammates, 'Look, I'm focused on you. My senior season in high school is all about you guys.' "
"All that Dec. 1 will do is distract the player in his senior season more than he is distracted by the regular February signing date," Tressel said. "That being said, there would have to be more tweaks made in our current system if we do implement an early signing period."
sandgk;853574; said:With Meyer one of those against the idea the SEC mulled over, but did not adopt the idea of an early signing period.
JohnnyCockfight;1195050; said:For instance, take the DeVoe Torrence situation. With an early signing period, DeVoe may have signed his letter of intent with Ohio State on August 1st. Then what he is accused of still happens. What do you think ESPN, The New York Times, and the like do with that story? I think we all know that they run Ohio State's name through the mud as much as possible. Similar instances could have happened with major programs and recruits like Ray Williams, Pat Lezear, and the list goes on.
RB07OSU;1194979; said:Interesting. I'm with JT...if a kid decides before his senior season, it is usually to focus on his team. If coaches keep calling anyways, it defeats the recruits wishes. I think it should be an option but I agree that it should be researched better. Recruits are getting more info earlier now, and the process is speeding up quickly. The only real downside I see to an early signing period is racing to get your class filled up before you have a chance to evaluate enough prospects...however, I guess that leaves the responsibility on the prospect to get his name out there earlier. Ok, so another downside...a recruit signs early but wants out for this reason or that. With as many switches as you do see, even if it gets old to us, the recruit feels it is in their best interest. Obviously one would say only decide if you are completely sure, but didn't Nic DeLillo commit to Clemson and Pitt after he was absolutely sure? Also, you may just see an increased ammount of poaching near the early signing day, which would still disrupt the recruits training for their senior year if it was August 1st. I'm not really sure where I sit on this one.
C-busBuck;1195476; said:Coaches should only be allowed to call if the recruit continues to show interest.. IE contacts the school first after his verbal commitment. Otherwise. After a verbal commitment, coaches should not be allowed to contact the recruit in any way shape or form. Unfortunately, it never works that way.
I would be in favor of an early signing period of AUG 1. Anytime after the beginning of the senior season would be a waste in my opinion. Still, I think the poaching would just begin earlier.
RB07OSU;1195587; said:I agree completely. Some recruits are done and know where they want to go, but still get tons of unwanted attention. However, poaching will just be in season earlier as you mentioned. The positive about that though is that it would all be over by the 1st, and not prolonged through their senior year.