In case you missed it on Friday, John Swofford (ACC commissioner) recapped the proposal from the ACC on early signing periods.
In an article in the Orlando Sentinel, Swofford suggests their ultimate goal is about high schools seniors being able to go through "their senior season without the distraction of the recruiting process..." It's a noble gesture, at face value, that would give these student-athletes more time to focus on their academics and team preparations for their last season of high school football.
Again, looking at this on its face value, Saban's suggestions mirror Swofford's in that they want to eliminate (or at least reduce) these distractions. There's a big difference when you take more than a quick glance. Swofford is suggesting an early signing date of August 1st. Saban, and some in the SEC, are in favor of a December 1st date.
Remember, I'm looking at this from a face value standpoint, OK?
If the goal is removing distractions August 1st would seemingly be the answer. What would the December date do to eliminate those?
In the end, one comment by Saban really piques my interest, "football is a developmental game."
Perhaps this is a cynical view, but can we really expect college coaches to encourage players to sign before their senior seasons when this is a developmental game and a lot of that development happens in that senior season? Can we expect ACC coaches to sign playersāsure, there are some "can't miss prospects" identified in their junior seasonsāwhen there's an entire season left of evaluation?
Cynicism rules again when I hear a December date would make it easier on a high school player. What distraction would it remove for that player? Quite frankly, all I see is the elimination of players contacting other programs during the dead period over the holidays. That's not to the benefit of the players and it makes these suggestions from Saban and the SEC ring false.
Both scenarios seem like a bandaid on a wound that needs surgery.
In an article in the Orlando Sentinel, Swofford suggests their ultimate goal is about high schools seniors being able to go through "their senior season without the distraction of the recruiting process..." It's a noble gesture, at face value, that would give these student-athletes more time to focus on their academics and team preparations for their last season of high school football.
Again, looking at this on its face value, Saban's suggestions mirror Swofford's in that they want to eliminate (or at least reduce) these distractions. There's a big difference when you take more than a quick glance. Swofford is suggesting an early signing date of August 1st. Saban, and some in the SEC, are in favor of a December 1st date.
Remember, I'm looking at this from a face value standpoint, OK?
If the goal is removing distractions August 1st would seemingly be the answer. What would the December date do to eliminate those?
In the end, one comment by Saban really piques my interest, "football is a developmental game."
Perhaps this is a cynical view, but can we really expect college coaches to encourage players to sign before their senior seasons when this is a developmental game and a lot of that development happens in that senior season? Can we expect ACC coaches to sign playersāsure, there are some "can't miss prospects" identified in their junior seasonsāwhen there's an entire season left of evaluation?
Cynicism rules again when I hear a December date would make it easier on a high school player. What distraction would it remove for that player? Quite frankly, all I see is the elimination of players contacting other programs during the dead period over the holidays. That's not to the benefit of the players and it makes these suggestions from Saban and the SEC ring false.
Both scenarios seem like a bandaid on a wound that needs surgery.
