🏈 The next major change we need in college football? Early signing date.

[TerryP]

On countless occasions we’ve seen people describe the SEC fan base as egotistical, arrogant, or a fan base that feel we have a view on things that differ from the rest of the college football world but are still, ultimately right. The fact is all of those things are true. As one example, we do carry a different attitude towards sports than fans of B1G teams. There’s a reason people categorize football as a religion in the south, and a mere past time in the north.

As Alabama fans, there’s another area where we look at things from a different perspective. At least I know I do. This one isn’t a feeling or thought process about a subject on the playing field, but one off of the playing field; albeit still related.

Now that we are on the cusp of seeing a major change in college football’s post season is it high time we see another change? This time, in recruiting? I feel it’s well past the time for the implementation of an early signing period in college football. The question is will we see a national movement instigated by the press to do so like we’ve seen with the playoffs?

I doubt it.

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[psychojoe]

Great article, Terry.

Hoops has had the early signing period for years, and the earth hasn't split open on account of it. I can see where some coaches might put an offer out in an early signing period with the proviso that if you don't sign now you may not have the offer later, but that seems to happen anyway.

 

[TerryP]

Great article, Terry.

Hoops has had the early signing period for years, and the earth hasn't split open on account of it. I can see where some coaches might put an offer out in an early signing period with the proviso that if you don't sign now you may not have the offer later, but that seems to happen anyway.

Sure it happens now, in more ways than one. Verbal offer versus written offer is the most common.

While we didn't send out as many letters as say Ole Miss did this past season (sans the screw up) I'd bet 90% of those were verbal offers.

One objection I've seen is an early signing period would reduce the number of official visits a kid is allowed to make. I don't see any issue with changing the way that's handled and allowing Jr.'s to have official visits as well. Just set a limit on Jr. visits, and a limit on Sr. visits.

I do find it funny one of the arguing points for a playoff is D2 and D3 have one. Now, that argument didn't hold weight because they don't play the same number of games in the regular season as D1.

Like you said, if it works in basketball, what's the difference in playoffs working for other divisions and ESD's working for another sport?