After a decade of debate on whether or not it is a good idea to hold an early signing period for high school football players, the issue is coming to a head this week at the annual Collegiate Commissioner’s Association meeting.
The CCA is in charge of distributing national letters of intent that high school athletes sign when deciding on what college they will play for at he next level.
According to ESPN, the CCA is holding their meetings at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina to vote on an early three-day signing period in December.
The vote is expected to take place either Tuesday or Wednesday.
If the proposal is approved, the first early signing period will take place during this football season and will start on December 16, one week before the start of college football bowl season. The period would work on a trial basis that will expand for two years and will be evaluated after its initial trial run.
Commissioners from both the FBS and FCS conferences will vote on the proposal with each league receiving one vote each. Director of the national letter of intent Susan Peal says that the vote will need a simple majority for the proposal to pass.
“I anticipate it to pass, but I also anticipate a robust and spirited debate,” said Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. “With the two-year look-in that’s part of the proposal, I think many of us are ready to say, ‘Let’s move forward or not move forward. Let’s get away from being in limbo.'”
With only the SEC speaking out publicly against the proposal, all roads for an early signing period seem clear.
That would be good news for a lot of people. For second string athletes, it will give them an early chance to decide on transferring if a player at their position signs to their school in December.
For fans, it will give us a little extra football to look forward after the regular season ends.
Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!
