This is likely the last December early signing period. And, the transfer portal is a wild animal that may be long in taming.
This from an SI article just out tonight, though it covers some of the elements already reported elsewhere.
On the early signing period:
....College leaders are exploring significant alterations.... change the date of the early signing period or abolish it completely....
One (administrator) describes the early signing period situation as “untenable” and another says the recruiting calendar is “archaic.”
“The idea of keeping the current model is ludicrous.”
....“If we change signing day again, will it eliminate this accelerating timeline (of firing and hiring coaches)? I’m not sure it will. We may have let the toothpaste out of the tube and it won’t go back.”
On the transfer portal:
“Your whole football team is out there [in the portal] for whoever wants to pay the most money,”
....Over the past few days, several notable Power 5 starting quarterbacks have entered the portal....
“We’ve got a lot of coaches saving scholarships that could go to a high school player ...."
“The easy thing was to create the portal. Nobody wanted to create the details.”
LINK TO FULL ARTICLE: https://www.si.com/college/2021/12/15/no-more-national-signing-day-early-period-december
December 15th, 2021 at 12:43 AM ^
Good signing day in Feb is way more exciting
December 15th, 2021 at 12:55 AM ^
“Your whole football team is out there [in the portal] for whoever wants to pay the most money,”
Such a shame these coaches can't leave at any time to whoever wants to pay the most money.........
December 15th, 2021 at 9:01 AM ^
“I love money. I love everything about it. I bought some pretty good stuff. Got me a $300 pair of socks. Got a fur sink. An electric dog polisher. A gasoline powered turtleneck sweater. And, of course, I bought some dumb stuff, too.”
December 15th, 2021 at 12:56 AM ^
I think ignoring all other considerations, the transfer portal (in particular all the QB movement) is very exciting, as a CFB fan.
The question is does it turn CFB away from (whatever some person's idealistic view of it is) towards being more like Pro Sports, in a bad way? Maybe to some, but not in my opinion. QBs still used to transfer schools before, but it cost the student a lot more time and effort.
The transfer portal is just more free market, and those are (generally? most of the time?) good, other than monopolies - and the closest thing to monopolies in CFB don't seem to be the biggest winners on the transfer portal.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:04 AM ^
All of these attributes water down the sport. Now it's just all about money.
Look at Texas AM. They are throwing an absurd amount of money at players and coaches. They have 5 5 stars and they have had a mediocre season.
The sport is silly with the record number of firings.
You have networks such as ESPN working behind the scenes to dismantle conferences...
It's stupid as is. I'm becoming more of an NFL fan because it is a more transparent and fair and balanced league.
December 15th, 2021 at 9:24 AM ^
I would not use the word transparent to describe the NFL. They are literally working to squash all details of their investigation into the WFT for using their cheerleaders as sex slaves, along with other heinous acts.
December 15th, 2021 at 1:47 PM ^
"The bands. The tailgates. Coming onto campus. The NFL dosent have all that. It dosent compare to College Football." -Bo Schembechler from Michigan Football Memories circa 2003
December 15th, 2021 at 12:58 AM ^
Cry me a fucking river, coaches. And the whining about early signing day seems like an effort to deflect the blame for these obscene contracts
December 15th, 2021 at 7:17 AM ^
If a kid doesn't want to sign (i.e., Kevonte Henry)...he doesn't have to sign!
Taking flexibility away from the the player is wild.
Hell, remove signing day altogether and let them sign whenever they want...I don't care, just whatever move they make, it can't negatively impact the recruit.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:45 AM ^
Exactly. I don't personally like it when a high school kid decommits. I absolutely hate it when a player I like transfers from UM.
BUT, while I live (edit: love) Michigan football, it doesn't exist for me. College sports exists for the students and any rules should be in their favor.
December 15th, 2021 at 12:59 AM ^
The Taming of the Shrew
Going to require some patience
December 15th, 2021 at 1:28 AM ^
Commitment is a dumb term for what is really a cancellable reservation. Just let kids sign throughout the year. Get it in ink, then call it a commitment.
December 15th, 2021 at 5:48 AM ^
“Rico, you’re only a sophomore!”
”Rico’s time is nooooow!!” (Jumps into Transfer Portal)
December 15th, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
A commercial that only works for college football, and would have not made much sense even five years ago.
Hat's off to that level of commitment to college football, Dr. Pepper.
In appreciation, I often pour extra Dr. Pepper into the drain to increase sales when I am at a restaurant that has it.
I support the companies that support college football.
December 15th, 2021 at 6:15 AM ^
Well, careful what you wish for.
For all those who despised the idea of college amateur athletics, here ya go. This is what you've been clamoring for.
December 15th, 2021 at 6:39 AM ^
None of its bad it all is better for the players it puts pressure on the teams to win and win now. It gives freedom and flexibility for players to pursue their dreams in whatever fashion they desire. Diversity and choice creates a better product. Iron sharpens iron.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:07 AM ^
No. It makes whoever has the most money get the recruits. Michigan isn't going to do that.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:27 AM ^
If UM isn’t going to do it, it’s their own fault then. They can pay players just like everybody else.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:01 AM ^
Michigan has and will continue to do so. Blake Corum, JJ and Cade and others aren’t donating all their NIL money they’re donating portions of it. Michigan is paying dudes and from what I understand they’re getting some huge deals.
December 15th, 2021 at 6:42 AM ^
I'm not sure there is a big population of people who "despised the idea of college amateur athletics" but rather a large group who saw a problem with a bunch of people getting filthy rich without much in the way of compensation to those actually putting their bodies on the line. Like the man said, "this ain't intramurals, brother"
December 15th, 2021 at 8:56 AM ^
Dan Hawkins is the man!?
December 15th, 2021 at 9:39 AM ^
Ok cool, Hook em
December 15th, 2021 at 10:50 AM ^
This might be a stupid question, but why couldn't the NCAA just remove all the byzantine rules around recruiting, paying players, etc, and put in a blanket spending limit on each sport? Like, each school can spend $XX million on all football activities: players, analysts, coaches, facilities, etc each year, and the schools can decide what portion of that money goes to which recipients. If the number was low enough, it would force schools to treat athletics as a sideshow to the actual mission of academics while allowing market forces to distribute the money according to what is most valuable to the school and program rather than artificial caps on certain elements (ie players) forcing all the money to go to the coaches and programs.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:10 AM ^
First they wanted an ESD and now it's awful. Why? The people that wanted it now see how much harder it makes their job if they take a new one or a school a recruit was considering gets a new one late in the game.
I've never liked the ESD in that it became the new signing day for kids that seem to be pressured into signing on it rather than use he time they have. Further, I selfishly like the old NSD for it's entertainment value. It was just very CFB and it has felt different since adding the ESD.
As for the portal, I hate it. Yet, I'm all for the full freedom of people to do as they wish. It's a conflicting thing for me because, as above, I selfishly want most of the restrictions of the old system. The Portal has made me realize I hate it. Yet, morally I know it's wrong for an inept body like The NCAA to tell a kid when and where and how they can play/go to school.
I wouldn't mind some middle ground that struck a balance of the new and old systems but I don't see how it's possible and not entirely selfish of me. The sad fact remains that I hate both despite knowing they are better for the players.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:16 AM ^
The proposal that I'm a fan of is early signing the 1st week of January, but a dead period for recruiting during the 1st 3 weeks of December. This way the coaching carousel can happen, hiring of assistance, and determining what players are leaving in the transfer portal. This gives recruits and coaches a clear picture of how many scholarships are available. Perfect? Nope, but it forces everybody to take a moment to refocus.
Not in the proposal, but my opinion. Set 2 times during the year for the transfer port to be open December and June.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:39 AM ^
Guys, I have a question. Does the portal work the same way as NSD? Or once you are in it you can commit to anyone at any time? Is there a date / deadline for the portal?
December 15th, 2021 at 9:00 AM ^
No dates or deadlines with the portal - it's a free-for-all where you can enter, exit, and commit anytime you want to.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:49 AM ^
4 team playoff and the portal is the death of college football
December 15th, 2021 at 8:00 AM ^
The early signing period is absolutely stupid. No reason HS kids should be committing themselves to a school only to have their position coach, coordinators, or head coach bail days or weeks later. What benefit does the early signing period provide for the kids?
For that matter, for top 300 or so recruits, what benefit does the kid get from signing a NLI at all (especially during the early period)? It locks the kid to the school, but not the school or coaches to the kid. And as a top recruit wouldn't you want to watch bowl games and playoffs, learn which players are leaving early, watch the coaching carousel slow down, etc.. before signing on the dotted line?? Yes, they can wiggle out of the NLI sometimes, or can always transfer, but why sign one in the first place?
The issue that really needs to be fixed is that coaching changes and signing periods are horribly out of sync and the kids are lied to constantly as a result.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:11 AM ^
The same stuff happens in Feb. Mike Weber anyone?
December 15th, 2021 at 8:30 AM ^
Totally agree the same CAN happen in Feb., and does occasionally. But the early signing day makes it far, far more likely to happen and benefits the adults way more than the kids. Funny that its the adults bitching about it.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:25 AM ^
If you're a Top 100 recruit, no need to sign an LOI at all (see Roquan Smith - https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2360091-will-roquan-smiths-decision-to-not-sign-a-loi-set-new-recruiting-trend. And I'm not sure why more of the 5*'s / higher 4*'s don't skip this step. It is not a prerequisite of the school offering you a full ride scholarship / assisting with NIL. And if they refuse to do so because there is no signed LOI, there is a long line of schools that will agree to do so.
You can simply commit to the school and enroll at the appropriate time. The LOI just locks you in to the school.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:32 AM ^
Yep, agreed. My point (maybe unclear, my bad) is why is this not the norm?
December 15th, 2021 at 8:35 AM ^
I can't remember the player's name, but he was a UM-MSU battle, his mom wanted him to go to UM, he wanted to go to MSU, and she wouldn't sign the paperwork. From what I remember, MSU just said, "You've got a spot," and he just went without an LOI signed. So I believe it has happened before...
December 15th, 2021 at 9:01 AM ^
December 15th, 2021 at 9:03 AM ^
Believe you're thinking of Malik McDowell. His mom wanted him to go to Michigan, but he didn't want to. I think she eventually just did sign it, though...
December 15th, 2021 at 8:10 AM ^
LET'S GO NCAA!
December 15th, 2021 at 8:16 AM ^
The volatility that the portal brings to this matter is a game-changer. Here, I do wonder if the change weighs more heavily for the good or the bad. What Tucker did this year at MSU was most remarkable, however, I do wonder if this is not a significant outlier-rather than the rule.
The four teams in the CFP are not heavy portal participants. I will be curious to see how portal usage plays out-down the road...I expect it to be a very mixed bag. I am hoping that the portal, at least, will offer an increased measure of parity that will bring larger benefit to college football.
December 15th, 2021 at 9:00 AM ^
What Tucker did this year at MSU was most remarkable...
I would say what Tucker did was remarkably LUCKY. I don't think a long term strategy of lucking into an underutilized Heisman candidate in the portal is a formula for success. Granted, MSU had a good year and Tucker gets credit for that. But, if he was being honest, and based on their performance on pass defense, I think Tucker would have to admit they are lucky to only have 2 losses with the 120th+ ranking pass defense.
I think going forward there will be annual portal gems that are uncovered in a new system, but overall I still think recruiting overall is going to be the biggest deciding factor. Like you said,
The four teams in the CFP are not heavy portal participants.
As a stop gap, yes. To fill a hole or two, yes. Long term formula for success, especially with new restrictions on number of transfers, no.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:28 AM ^
Can they make it so that recruits can sign whenever they want? It would make clear what is a commitable offer and what is not and then kids who want to end the recruiting process early as some do. Maybe make it so kids can back out by a certain date if they want? Then push signing day back to Feb so recruits have a better idea who their coaches would be? I get the reason for the early signing period, but it sure looks like it just pushed up coach firing and gave kids who were already committed less time to decide if they want to stay or go.