National Signing Day in February was once a highly anticipated occasion, akin to a national holiday. People would take time off work just to keep up with their favorite team and the young prospects who could potentially transform their football program. However, those days are now a thing of the past.
A few years ago, the NCAA introduced a second signing day in December, which has unfortunately overshadowed the February event. While there are still a few prospects who choose to announce their commitments in February, the excitement surrounding the occasion has diminished.
Instead of every team holding a news conference to discuss their signing class, some schools did not sign any players during this period, resulting in limited coverage for their program. This also means that the head coach misses out on the opportunity to address the media and highlight how their class will shape the future of the team.
What was once a significant day has now become an afterthought, squeezed between the transfer portal and coaching changes. Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko acknowledged this shift during a recent media gathering, describing it as more of a conclusion to a cycle rather than a celebration.
Elko did experience a positive outcome on Wednesday, as he secured the commitment of 5-Star athlete Terry Bussey from Timpson High School in Texas.
The changes in college football, particularly the functioning of the transfer portal and the early signing period in December, have contributed to this transformation. Most coaches prefer to have their classes finalized during the early signing period but keep a few spots open for situations like the one on Tuesday.
Both the transfer portal and the early signing period have become the new standard in college football. Coaches hope that by utilizing the transfer portal effectively, they can address some of the roster issues. This is a key consideration when evaluating the team’s needs at the end of each season. When a new head coach joins a program, such as Mike Elko at Texas A&M, they aim to make their mark on the recruiting class.
While there may not be sufficient time for a coach to make an impact during the early signing period, it does provide an opportunity to pursue players from the transfer portal. However, as demonstrated by Jim Harbaugh’s departure from Michigan, the Wolverines now have to rely on the April period.
Ultimately, the preference of the head coach determines the approach to building a football program. Some coaches, like Dabo Swinney, prioritize developing players from high school and are not enthusiastic about the transfer portal. On the other hand, schools like Colorado seek immediate solutions and actively recruit experienced players from the portal to strengthen their rosters.
All of these factors contribute to the new era in college athletics, where a February signing day no longer holds the same level of significance. Additionally, there is a growing concern among lower-tier schools that invest in developing players, only to have Power-5 institutions swoop in and benefit from their efforts.
In simpler terms, group of five schools are becoming feeder systems for Power-5 institutions, and this issue shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon. If we were to compare it to professional baseball, Michigan would be the major league team while Central Michigan serves as the Triple-A team, preparing players for higher levels.
It is an unfortunate reality of college football in today’s era, but it is an unattractive truth that cannot be ignored.
As for National Signing Day in February, it was once the highlight of the recruiting season. However, it has now become just another day on the recruiting calendar, with only a few major announcements breaking throughout the day.
Personally, I miss the old days.