Early College Football Signing Period Added

Oct 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Wilton Speight (3) drops back to pass in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 14-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Wilton Speight (3) drops back to pass in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 14-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Players:

For current players, the new rule could mean the recruiting process interferes more directly with season practices and game planning.  I did not play college football (although I did care far too much about coed IM soccer) so perhaps this is already baked in given the continuous nature of recruiting.  But it is not hard to envision coordinators and position coaches being forced to cut into some of their coaching time to squeeze in extra recruiting contacts for that golden 72-hour window.

Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

This certainly could influence NCAA players decisions on whether to stay or go given who they know signed their NLOI to come to campus next season.   It could force kids out the door before they feel ready and before graduating.  On the flip side, you don’t want to decline the NFL draft process and then discover your starting spot will be given to the new 5-Star recruit.   Perhaps forthcoming personnel additions are helpful to know earlier in the process for players considering leaving early.

Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) in action during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) in action during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /