An Early Signing Period For Football

SUMG · February 14, 2007

College basketball, has for years now, had an early signing period (November), as well the tradional signing period (April).

Anyway, Mack Brown was quoted as saying that football might one day have an early signing period, too. He figured that it might take place in July (before the high school player's senior season). I'm guessing the February signing period would be kept, too. (so that schools could fill out their classes).

If that happened, would you like it?

The cool thing about early signing periods....if we sign a kid in basketball (in November), and he lives in your vicinity, you can go watch him play during his senior year. (I did that, with past basketball signees Robert Washington and Chris Davis).

I guess the down side to it......if the signee bombs out his senior year.....you've already given him a scholarship. (that doesn't seem to happen often in hoops though. Usually the good players come through.)

We've got all these kids now committing as juniors....an early signing period for football seems inevitable.

Any thoughts?

MeanGreen61 · February 14, 2007

College basketball, has for years now, had an early signing period (November), as well the tradional signing period (April).
Anyway, Mack Brown was quoted as saying that football might one day have an early signing period, too. He figured that it might take place in July (before the high school player's senior season). I'm guessing the February signing period would be kept, too. (so that schools could fill out their classes).
If that happened, would you like it?
The cool thing about early signing periods....if we sign a kid in basketball (in November), and he lives in your vicinity, you can go watch him play during his senior year. (I did that, with past basketball signees Robert Washington and Chris Davis).
I guess the down side to it......if the signee bombs out his senior year.....you've already given him a scholarship. (that doesn't seem to happen often in hoops though. Usually the good players come through.)
We've got all these kids now committing as juniors....an early signing period for football seems inevitable.
Any thoughts?

It will probably happen ? Will it be good ? Who knows ? Then they'll probably be scouting Pee Wee games. <_<

Edited February 14, 2007 by MeanGreen61

February 14, 2007

It's actually happening now, except for the signing part. A number of the major players have 10-12 verbal commits by the time the recruit finishes his junior season.

By actually signing juniors that recruit is commited regardless of whether or not there is a coaching change. That could be bad for a signee if he wanted to play for a specific coach. On the other hand he would have a guaranteed education even if he had a career-ending injury his senior season. Frankly, that could even help level the playing field.

We'd (the non-BCS) still get mostly late-bloomers or the lower end of the elite but that's not all bad. I say, let them do it.