UC football coach Tommy Tuberville prefers an early signing day
The Recruiting Trail
Mike Dyer, mdyer@enquirer.com 4:56 p.m. EST January 15, 2015
UC football coach Tommy Tuberville discussed an early signing day at the AFCA Convention this week in Louisville. (Photo: Enquirer file)
UC football coach Tommy Tuberville says he is in favor of an early signing date in college football recruiting.
Tuberville told Cincinnati.com today he would like to see an opportunity for high school football players to sign earlier than February as news developed this week that it could become reality for the 2016 class.
ESPN.com reported Tuesday the Conference Commissioners Association is leaning toward a recommendation for a mid-December signing period.
Susan Peal, NCAA associate director of operations, told ESPN.com the committee would like to see it coincide with the midyear junior college transfer signing date that is the third week of December.
Nothing will change for the 2015 class as Feb. 4 is National Signing Day, however the 2016 class could be impacted depending if the recommendation gets adopted.
"I don't have a preference on when, but we are the only sport that doesn't have an early signing date," said Tuberville, who was elected president of the American Football Coaches Association this week.
"We don't want to interfere with a high school player's senior season. Those are special. If we have one, it needs to be before the high school season starts or after it ends."
There are a variety of factors that could help high school football players in the recruiting process if an early signing day was implemented. As it stands now, several higher-profile recruits often make their verbal decisions prior to the start of their senior season but a long wait is often in order if they commit in the spring or summer before their senior season.
Those players who go into the season without a decision often find whirlwind of media attention and are under the microscope of fans and college programs.
If December is adopted, the school of thought is that high school football players would have an opportunity to officially sign their National Letters of Intent before college programs could change their mind after the holidays or recruit others they deem a better fit. Coaching changes often occur in December too.
St. Xavier coach Steve Specht said an early signing period helps to clear the landscape so to speak. Specht said he prefers a signing date in August in order for players and colleges to lock in the process upfront.
"The way it is now you have colleges offering so many kids early," Specht said. "By having an early signing period you alleviate the 'soft verbals' and force kids to make good on their commitment or continue the recruiting process. In either case, it gives the colleges a clearer picture on their needs and players available. It helps the 'second' or 'third' tier recruits in the process as well because the colleges will better understand their own needs."
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