The Collegiate Commissioners Association is schedule to vote today or Wednesday on an early signing period for high school football players.
If the CCA approves the two-year trial measure before them, beginning this December, colleges would have a 72 hour window during which they could sign high school players to letters of intent. If the plan is approved, this year’s signing period would begin on December 16th.
The traditional national signing period would remain on the first Wednesday in February, but a mid-December period would allow recruits, who feel sure of their college choice, to make it official sooner.
The CCA comprises 32 Division I conference commissioners.
In the past the Southeastern Conference has voiced its opposition to an early signing period, but at the end of May, SEC coaches voted to endorse a one-day only proposal. The SEC coaches plan calls for the Monday after Thanksgiving to be the day used for the early signing period.
The Atlantic Coast Conference likes August 1st as the day, which it believes would help seniors decide early and concentrate on their final season.
The Texas High School Coaches Association has expressed some concern about the early period, saying that it could have a negative impact on recruits whose teams are still playing in the Texas playoffs in mid-December. Last year, the Texas championship games ended on December 20th.
