🏈 Saban, along with other coaches, unhappy with the early signing dates

[JoshB]

Saban may not like the early signing period but it might pay off.

 

[Tidestalker]

Saban may not like the early signing period but it might pay off.

I thought CNS was a big proponent of the early signing period?

I kind of like it. If a kid is sick of being hounded by coaches they deserve some piece and quiet. Some love the attention and still have the option to play it out. Seems like a nice middle ground

 

[JoshB]

I thought CNS was a big proponent of the early signing period?

I kind of like it. If a kid is sick of being hounded by coaches they deserve some piece and quiet. Some love the attention and still have the option to play it out. Seems like a nice middle ground

Saban went off on it yesterday and agree 100% with his arguments. IDK if hes flip flopping or not, dont remember him ever talking about it before but alot of smaller schools are pushing kids to sign early in a way to make sure that no other bigger schools catch onto them later. I've seen it firsthand so far, with a couple of FCS schools pushing a kid in my area to sign in December even though he wants to hold out to see if Troy or UAB offers. Look at Josh Jacobs. He only had one FBS offer before right at the very end when Bama signed him. Tulsa very well could have pushed to get him to sign early and Bama would have never been able to make that move. It def. has its pros and cons though.

 

[Tidestalker]

Saban went off on it yesterday and agree 100% with his arguments. IDK if hes flip flopping or not, dont remember him ever talking about it before but alot of smaller schools are pushing kids to sign early in a way to make sure that no other bigger schools catch onto them later. I've seen it firsthand so far, with a couple of FCS schools pushing a kid in my area to sign in December even though he wants to hold out to see if Troy or UAB offers. Look at Josh Jacobs. He only had one FBS offer before right at the very end when Bama signed him. Tulsa very well could have pushed to get him to sign early and Bama would have never been able to make that move. It def. has its pros and cons though.

Wow I totally missed his comments yesterday. Seems pretty disgruntled by it.

Ultimately I think it's a great insurance policy for recruits. That way if fluke injuries happen or guys like Saban who like to pull the grey shirt card or recruit over a kid late in the process because they get a player, the kid is already sign/sealed/delivered.

Good part is neither party HAS to agree to those terms. The kid can wait and so can the school. I think it's great the smaller schools can push kids to sign early... And they should. If the bigger school isn't sold on the prospect and the smaller school is, who's fault is that? Heaven forbid the smaller school does a better job evaluating than the Alabama/LSU/FLorida's of the world.

JMO. I see your points too. But like I said, the more options for kids the better. No one is holding a gun to their head to sign early, but obviously this is a nice option for kids who don't want the drama or have concerns about issues down the road.

 

[TerryP]

I thought CNS was a big proponent of the early signing period?

I kind of like it. If a kid is sick of being hounded by coaches they deserve some piece and quiet. Some love the attention and still have the option to play it out. Seems like a nice middle ground

Saban never has been a fan of the early signing period as it's constructed. He said on more than one occasion if the NCAA does adopt this he'd like to see it at an earlier date (IE: before the season starts) for somewhat of the same reason you've stated here. As it is now, they are still heavily recruited throughout their senior season so there's no benefit for the student athlete, at all.

"I didn't like it when we did it, and I don't like it now," Saban said in a news conference. "I don't think it's in the players' best interest. I don't see how it benefits anybody. It's really stressful for everyone. We're all trying to get ready for bowl games or playoff games, and we've got a signing date right in the middle of when we're practicing.​

​

You get both sides here: a player's perspective and that of a coach.

Cutcliffe made a comment in the last few days of how they hosted 16 families over the weekend and the next morning he was in Texas. Both Saban and Cutcliffe have said, "where's the time?"

We know how anal Saban is with schedule. For him to say it is creating issue because there's little time? It's an issue.

 

[By Alex Byington Sports Writer]

TUSCALOOSA — Nick Saban is opposed to the NCAA’s new early signing period, an opinion he’d held since the idea was first proposed more than a year ago.

That doesn’t mean Alabama’s head coach is going to buck the trend that will effectively make Wednesday, the first of a three-day early signing period for high school seniors, the new National Signing Day.

"Maybe I shouldn't be speaking like this, (but) I have not talked to a coach that's happy with it,” Saban said Friday. “We're dealing with it."

Saban said Tide coaches are not pressuring recruits to make a quick decision, preferring those players take their time to evaluate the process.

The early signing period has been discussed for a number of years, but became a reality this past May when the Collegiate Commissioners Association settled on a three-day window that coincides with the junior college signing period.

Saban reiterated his concerns about the early signing period, citing the added pressure it places on both high school prospects and the Division I coaches.

"I didn't like it when we did it. I don't like it now. I don't think it's in the players' best interest,” Saban said. “I don't see how it benefits anybody. I think it's really stressful for everyone. We're all trying to get ready for bowl games and playoff games, and we have a signing day right in the middle of when we're going to be practicing for a playoff game?"

Despite Saban’s misgivings, it appears Alabama will sign a significant part of its 2018 class.

“That's the way Alabama and other programs are going to operate with the early signing period in place,” said Chris Kirschner, SEC Country’s Alabama recruiting reporter. “They want the majority of their class to sign in December so they only have to focus on a small amount of players leading up to February.”

Alabama is expected to sign between 15-20 in the early signing period, including a majority of its 15 current commitments.

“It’s going to be interesting, that’s for sure. It’s the early signing period, the first time we’ve ever had that, and I expect Alabama will get most of their guys on board then,” said Andrew Bone, Rivals.com’s Alabama recruiting reporter.

Among its current commitments, neither four-star linebacker Quay Walker or three-star athlete Vernon Jackson are expected to sign, while three-star tight end Michael Parker could join the class as a preferred walk-on, according to 247Sports.com.

With 10 of Alabama’s 11 four-star commits expected to sign Wednesday, including four much-needed defensive backs, the 2018 class could fill up quickly.

Two members of the class are already practicing: four-star junior college defensive back Saivion Smith, formerly of Mississippi Gulf Coast, who is rated the nation’s top JUCO corner, and 2017 four-star defensive end Jarez Parks, who originally signed in February but grayshirted after that class filled up.

Other commits that should sign this week are three four-star defensive end/linebacker prospects: Stephon Wynn of IMG Academy, Jordan Davis of Memphis, Tenn., and Cameron Latu of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Likely joining Smith among Alabama’s newest cornerback signees are Josh Jobe — the No. 1 player out of Connecticut — Miami’s Nadab Joseph, and Jayln Armour-Davis of Mobile — all ranked among the nation’s Top 20 corners according to 247Sports.com.

In addition, Wednesday could bring in a few new names to Alabama’s class, including quarterback Emory Jones, an Ohio State commit who appears ready to flip.

“I think it’ll end up coming down to Alabama and Ohio State,” Bone said.

Other early additions could include five-star defensive ends Ayabi Anoma of Baltimore and Brenton Cox of Stockbridge, Georgia. Cox is slated to announce his intention Wednesday on ESPN, while Anoma is expected to announce Friday. Coaches are also awaiting word from four-star offensive lineman Penei Sewell of Utah, a highly-coveted 350-pounder reportedly deciding between Alabama, Oregon and Utah, but scheduled to make a final call Wednesday.

Junior college tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson of Arizona Western is another key target who could sign next week, as could three-star, all-purpose running back Jerome Ford of Seffner, Florid

Decatur Daily—Continue reading...

 

[RTB X Bot]

 

[Tidestalker]

Ahhh thanks for the clarification Terry. I thought I'd remember him saying he wanted an early signing period, but as you've pointed out he just wanted an earlier NSD.

But for Saban to not see how it benefits "anybody" is disingenuous. He should look at his own grey shirting record for proof.

 

[planomateo]

From what I've read, the coaches (pretty much all of them) don't care for the timing of the early enrollment period, as it conflicts with too many other responsibilities.

 

[Tidestalker]

From what I've read, the coaches (pretty much all of them) don't care for the timing of the early enrollment period, as it conflicts with too many other responsibilities.

I could see that, for sure.

Hell I'm pretty sure the entire team and most coaches are at the playoffs or bowl game when they get there... Weird time to show up!

 

[TerryP]

But for Saban to not see how it benefits "anybody" is disingenuous. He should look at his own grey shirting record for proof.

Whoa. I think I know where you're going here and you're talking about 2, 3 kids out of over 200 as proof?

In your opinion, who benefits here?

 

[Tidestalker]

Whoa. I think I know where you're going here and you're talking about 2, 3 kids out of over 200 as proof?

In your opinion, who benefits here?

That's 1-1.5%, isn't it?! lol

But you know as well as I do, there are more kids who get pushed out of their "offer" late in the process. Kids who have an iron clad offer this time of year and by the end of the year when the smoke clears, Alabama or school A/B/C has bumped them down the board. It would certainly benefit those kids to be able to sign early.

And do not get me wrong - I don't blame the schools for moving on 1 bit. If a kid wants to be at a school he should commit. But at the same time it's completely disingenuous for Saban to pretend like an early signing period doesn't benefit kids. It does. Any time a kid can assure himself of a paid for education (for at least a year) and not have to worry about injury, politics, coaching changes impacting their future, yes it's beneficial.

BTW off the top of my head - Kids that Saban "Saban'd" and took some public embarrassment: Jarez Parks, OJ Smith, Taylor (RB from georgia), Darius Philon, Bradley Bozeman, the tall OLB from Hoover that ended up at Wiscy, can we add Reese Dismukes? So more than 2-3 kids.

Now if any of those kids were offered under the preface it was a grey shirt, by all means take them off the list.

 

[TerryP]

Yep...suspected this is where you were headed.

And do not get me wrong - I don't blame the schools for moving on 1 bit. If a kid wants to be at a school he should commit. But at the same time it's completely disingenuous for Saban to pretend like an early signing period doesn't benefit kids. It does. Any time a kid can assure himself of a paid for education (for at least a year) and not have to worry about injury, politics, coaching changes impacting their future, yes it's beneficial.

As I've said I don't see any issues with an early signing period as long as it benefits the kid. This doesn't, in any way, benefit the kids. It's still the same pressure and distractions they've always endured--the leading issue behind the proposal and passage of the rule.

What's ignored (maybe not the right word) is this is a zero sum game. It's related, in a distant sense, to those arguing about satellite camps under the guise of "kids that wouldn't get scholarships now will." True, but that also means other kids that would have, won't.

BTW off the top of my head - Kids that Saban "Saban'd" and took some public embarrassment: Jarez Parks, OJ Smith, Taylor (RB from georgia), Darius Philon, Bradley Bozeman, the tall OLB from Hoover that ended up at Wiscy, can we add Reese Dismukes? So more than 2-3 kids.

Oh, there are so many holes in this list it would take awhile to comment on each. You're missing on many, staring with the first. Jarez said to reporters on that Wednesday he was waiting to see if a spot opened up. Oh damn. He's waiting to see but it's something Saban pulled?
One of the kids you've mentioned here downright lied.

Bradley Bozeman had planned on greyshirting and found out a spot opened up so he reported earlier than planned.

If I knew OJ Smith was staring at a grey shirt I'm pretty damn sure OJ Smith knew he was headed for a gray shirt.

Reese Dismukes? Are you kidding me? He committed to Auburn almost a year before NSD of '11.

There certainly isn't an altruistic tone to your thoughts on this subject. Namely, the idea of a player wanting to attend Bama and being able to sign early so his "spot" doesn't go to someone else. But then again there is. What of that other player who proves he deserves a spot at this level and doesn't have his opportunity? What if that original player proves he doesn't deserve a spot (whether it be on the field or off the field.)

There's no easy answer. That's likely the reason the NCAA is legislating the way they do.

 

[TerryP]

@uagrad93 On average, what day do schools normally let out for Christmas break? IE: Was the 15th the last day of school for most kids?

If it was, this new rule really has an effect on high school coaches as well, right? Now they'll have to stay around their respective schools another week like they did this year?

 

[No Huddle]

Just the NCAA trying to level the playing field. The rich are in the play-offs and the kinda rich are in bowl games. Now, as everyone has mentioned, the other schools pushed to have the kids sign early. Or you can recruit the hell out of the ones you want while the others (Alabamas and the like) get ready for a game and try to recruit and somehow eat and sleep. Sounds like not enough time in the day.

 

[TerryP]

Sounds like not enough time in the day.

Paraphrased, but a quote from Saban and Cutcliffe in the last 48 hours. Some will listen. Some will call it "Saban complaining again."

 

[UAgrad93]

@uagrad93 On average, what day do schools normally let out for Christmas break? IE: Was the 15th the last day of school for most kids?

If it was, this new rule really has an effect on high school coaches as well, right? Now they'll have to stay around their respective schools another week like they did this year?

Our HS here took their finals last Thursday and Friday with any makeups coming today and tomorrow. Each school system makes their own calendar with the state simply stating how many days the kids must be in school. If school is the old traditional 7 classes a day, they might break this Thursday or Friday. If they are block schedule, 4 classes a semester, anywhere from last Thursday to today or tomorrow. Also have to factor in exactly when did the schools start classes. As for coaches, if the doors are open, they will have to be there. Throw in this early signing period and they have to open the doors!!

 

[TUSKtimes]

I take a lot of this rhetoric to mean that coach Saban doesn't feel as threatened with losing recruits during the cherry picking season. Dabo just said he likes the ESD, maybe he doesn't like his players being able to keep all their options open for a reason. It's hard to believe that both coaches aren't doing the math on this one.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Just the NCAA trying to level the playing field. The rich are in the play-offs and the kinda rich are in bowl games. Now, as everyone has mentioned, the other schools pushed to have the kids sign early. Or you can recruit the hell out of the ones you want while the others (Alabamas and the like) get ready for a game and try to recruit and somehow eat and sleep. Sounds like not enough time in the day.

I think it puts teams with coaching changes at a disadvantage. Much less time to salvage a class when you've just showed up.

 

[UAgrad93]

It isn't any easier on the kids. Some of these kids are going to feel even more pressure to commit and sign early as what they do signing in February. Coaches evaluate tape from a kids senior season and a kid that was being overlooked, gets a late offer while a kid that has had an offer for many months or even a year or more back slides because he already has the offer he wants.
It isn't win-win for anyone!