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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next

Coaches:

Coaches may have a better sense of their shopping list with this extra window.  Perhaps you’ve filled some of your projected roster holes at a certain position and can now winnow your recruiting focus for the next signing period.  You can also consolidate your recruiting resources on the biggest prizes you expect to sign during the early window.

Nov 26, 2016; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Gary Andersen hugs Oregon State Beavers mascot before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Gary Andersen hugs Oregon State Beavers mascot before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

As noted in the previous slide, the entire coaching staff may have to change time management to allow for even more recruiting activities during the season.  This will also distract from bowl preparation given the timing of the signing window.

Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema watches his players warmup before the game against the LSU Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema watches his players warmup before the game against the LSU Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

Schools change coaches after the season and before the bowl season to get a jump on recruiting. You can’t blame Arkansas or Oregon State for wanting their new coaches to work their magic immediately.  I don’t expect coaches to pull a Nick Saban or Bobby Petrino and quit on their teams before the regular season ends, but the incentive sure is there.  For schools looking to change coaches, they might move up that timeline and axe the coach during the season (instead of playing out the string) in order to signal to recruits something better is coming.

Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /