Early Enrollees Can Sign as Early as August 1

[TNcane83]

This doesn't change hardly anything.

Early enrollees don't sign national letters of intent at all. They just enroll and are at that point a student. This thing does not have any bearing at all on them actually enrolling in the school. It is more or less a mechanism for the school to say "See how much we want you? You can sign your scholarship papers now instead of in December." The onus is still on the recruit to actually follow through, because signing scholarship papers to a school in no way binds them to actually attending that school.

For example, hypothetically assuming this was currently active, Berrios could sign his papers today, and then decide in early December that he would rather attend South Carolina.

I agree its a step in the right direction, but all this is doing is allowing early enrollees a way to get their paperwork out of the way early. That's it.

If you sign on earlier signing day (this August proposal), aren't you locked into the school? If you don't follow through and enroll, don't you have to ask the school to let you out of your LOI?

No. At least, not with this new agreement thing. All this is doing is locking the school into offering a scholarship, and allowing the recruit to sign those papers. However, if the recruit changes his mind about attending that school, he or she can still do so regardless of signed papers or not.

That's why the last paragraph in the description exists. This early signing thing does nothing to change the actual commitment of a recruit to a school, its more on the school's side of things than anything else. Since there is no LOI with early enrollees, there's nothing for the school to let you out of. LOI's are for recruits who graduate HS in the spring, and promise to attend a certain school in the fall, since theres a 3-4 month break in between. Since early enrollees go through the spring semester, there's (to my knowledge), nothing that they sign LOI wise. The only thing could be if they sign one once they get to campus, but that would be separate from this August proposal.

 

[User-4525]

" prior to issuing the agreement, that the prospective student-athlete is enrolled in all coursework necessary to graduate from high school at midyear."

 

[Consigliere]

thats the issue I have always seen and especially if the coaches get fired

It is an issue but a kid should commit to a program and not a coach. I realize that they do not do this but they should understand a coach can leave or be fired.

The only time a kid should be let out of an LOI if something happens that there is no notice of (i.e. NCAA investigation after you sign).

The coach established the relationship with the recruit not the program.

The program hired the coach.

I don't get this, then don't sign the LOI. If it is early signing day and a staffs' future concerns you, then don't sign the LOI. Just wait and be with the rest of the people waiting for NSD.

This issue is making recruiting less of a circus and limiting these issues. An early SD clearly limits issues.

The coach determines the program identity. Look at Temple when Golden was there. He changed their program culture, and he is doing the same thing here. The U Tough program was on 10 year hiatus before Golden awoken it.

I understand what you are saying but this is not a perfect world. I already suggested not signing an LOI and just enrolling without any commitment. See what the school says.

 

[TNcane83]

" prior to issuing the agreement, that the prospective student-athlete is enrolled in all coursework necessary to graduate from high school at midyear."

You left out quite a bit of context. All that is saying is that before a school can issue the scholarship paperwork to a potential early enrollee, they must verify that the student will in fact graduate early, and is on track to do so. Meaning they can't extend an early scholarship offer if the kid says "well im gonna try to graduate early"

 

[Consigliere]

TNCane,

I think this is a step to getting the problem resolved. You are asking the recruits to sign a document showing their commitment to a school if they want to EE. The school at the same time is committing to a scholarship. Of course the player needs to actually enroll but since you can't sign an LOI and EE, this at least shows a level of commitment on behalf of the school and the recruit.

A verbal commit means nothing, now at least we're putting something on paper evidencing a commitment.

 

[Consigliere]

You left out quite a bit of context. All that is saying is that before a school can issue the scholarship paperwork to a potential early enrollee, they must verify that the student will in fact graduate early, and is on track to do so. Meaning they can't extend an early scholarship offer if the kid says "well im gonna try to graduate early"

Nothing is definitive, the kid could fail his last math class.

I don't get with the circus going on in recruiting how people are not happy with this step.

 

[User-4525]

" prior to issuing the agreement, that the prospective student-athlete is enrolled in all coursework necessary to graduate from high school at midyear."

You left out quite a bit of context. All that is saying is that before a school can issue the scholarship paperwork to a potential early enrollee, they must verify that the student will in fact graduate early, and is on track to do so. Meaning they can't extend an early scholarship offer if the kid says "well im gonna try to graduate early"

I know what I left out. I was just disagreeing with you on your theory of this being an advantage to school to say "see how much we want you."

And if you sign a LOI in August I believe it would be 100% binding like the LOI in February. There would be no point to moving up the date. I would think this new rule would be to avoid Alex Anzalone type situations

 

[TNcane83]

" prior to issuing the agreement, that the prospective student-athlete is enrolled in all coursework necessary to graduate from high school at midyear."

You left out quite a bit of context. All that is saying is that before a school can issue the scholarship paperwork to a potential early enrollee, they must verify that the student will in fact graduate early, and is on track to do so. Meaning they can't extend an early scholarship offer if the kid says "well im gonna try to graduate early"

I know what I left out. I was just disagreeing with you on your theory of this being an advantage to school to say "see how much we want you."

And if you sign a LOI in August I believe it would be 100% binding like the LOI in February. There would be no point to moving up the date. I would think this new rule would be to avoid Alex Anzalone type situations

Again, this isn't signing an LOI. This is signing a financial aid agreement. Two completely different things. And I never said that this was an advantage in favor of the school. It's really not an advantage in any respect other than putting a commitment more on paper than a verbal pledge is. As Consigliere pointed out, this type of thing can't be binding, because if the kid is enrolled in all the necessary coursework, looks like he will EE, and then fails a class or something along those lines, then the whole thing is moot.

All this is doing, as I said, is allowing a kid to get scholarship paperwork out of the way early. It will have recruiting implications only as far as it is a tiny step above a verbal pledge. But until the recruit officially enrolls in school, there is nothing binding about it (except it means the school is locked in to providing the scholarship if the recruit enrolls there)

 

[Consigliere]

Are programs allowed to recruit/contact a kid that signed one of these documents? I really think this helps kids stay focused on graduating early BTW.

 

[TNcane83]

Are programs allowed to recruit/contact a kid that signed one of these documents? I really think this helps kids stay focused on graduating early BTW.

Of course, because there is nothing binding about this. Recruits aren't even required to sign an LOI at all. All that is doing is reserving a spot, but all of the benefit is on the school's side. A recruit can commit, enroll, and play all without an LOI. The only difference is that if he wanted to transfer, he could do so without the school stopping him, which is why the LOI thing is pushed so hard. Schools don't want kids to be able to leave whenever.

As far as this august thing, nothing is binding until the recruit actually enrolls in the school. So if Berrios signed this for Miami, every other school could still recruit him as much as they want, because he hasn't done anything except told Miami he will graduate early and would like a scholarship. The paperwork is Miami officially promising him one as long as he enrolls.

EDIT: Although, on second read, the description does make a mention of recruiting of committed prospects. The only thing is, though, that is only "illegal" once an LOI is signed. Given the fact that this August paperwork is in no way an LOI, I don't see how that could factor in

 

[Consigliere]

Are programs allowed to recruit/contact a kid that signed one of these documents? I really think this helps kids stay focused on graduating early BTW.

Of course, because there is nothing binding about this. Recruits aren't even required to sign an LOI at all. All that is doing is reserving a spot, but all of the benefit is on the school's side. A recruit can commit, enroll, and play all without an LOI. The only difference is that if he wanted to transfer, he could do so without the school stopping him, which is why the LOI thing is pushed so hard. Schools don't want kids to be able to leave whenever.

As far as this august thing, nothing is binding until the recruit actually enrolls in the school. So if Berrios signed this for Miami, every other school could still recruit him as much as they want, because he hasn't done anything except told Miami he will graduate early and would like a scholarship. The paperwork is Miami officially promising him one as long as he enrolls.

Where does it say this? Who is that in your avatar?

Let's not talk about transfers because that is a different issue IMO.

 

[TNcane83]

Are programs allowed to recruit/contact a kid that signed one of these documents? I really think this helps kids stay focused on graduating early BTW.

Of course, because there is nothing binding about this. Recruits aren't even required to sign an LOI at all. All that is doing is reserving a spot, but all of the benefit is on the school's side. A recruit can commit, enroll, and play all without an LOI. The only difference is that if he wanted to transfer, he could do so without the school stopping him, which is why the LOI thing is pushed so hard. Schools don't want kids to be able to leave whenever.

As far as this august thing, nothing is binding until the recruit actually enrolls in the school. So if Berrios signed this for Miami, every other school could still recruit him as much as they want, because he hasn't done anything except told Miami he will graduate early and would like a scholarship. The paperwork is Miami officially promising him one as long as he enrolls.

Where does it say this? Who is that in your avatar?

Let's not talk about transfers because that is a different issue IMO.

There's no requirement that says an LOI absolutely must be signed. I'm not sure where it says that (it doesn't in this August paperwork description, of course. Separate entities), but it's nevertheless true. I think Charlie Villanueva (played hoops for Louisville maybe?) never signed one at all. There have been others I am fairly certain. It is basically something the schools want done so they can be sure that a kid won't enroll there, play a year, and then transfer freely to a rival.

This August paperwork proposal is basically saying that, pending early graduation and actual college enrollment, the school is officially recognizing a scholarship for the prospective student athlete. However, until the enrollment forms are filled out and the student is actually on campus, this paperwork does not bind the student to the school in any way other than figuratively

 

[TNcane83]

I'm not saying this isn't a good thing. It will help the kids focus on school knowing they absolutely have a scholarship waiting, and its a step in the right direction. All I am saying is that this is not an early signing period like CBB has, which is what most people want. There is nothing in this proposal that binds the recruits to the school, it just makes a verbal commitment a tad bit more official, but the level of official-ness still depends on the recruit themselves.

 

[Consigliere]

Are programs allowed to recruit/contact a kid that signed one of these documents? I really think this helps kids stay focused on graduating early BTW.

Of course, because there is nothing binding about this. Recruits aren't even required to sign an LOI at all. All that is doing is reserving a spot, but all of the benefit is on the school's side. A recruit can commit, enroll, and play all without an LOI. The only difference is that if he wanted to transfer, he could do so without the school stopping him, which is why the LOI thing is pushed so hard. Schools don't want kids to be able to leave whenever.

As far as this august thing, nothing is binding until the recruit actually enrolls in the school. So if Berrios signed this for Miami, every other school could still recruit him as much as they want, because he hasn't done anything except told Miami he will graduate early and would like a scholarship. The paperwork is Miami officially promising him one as long as he enrolls.

Where does it say this? Who is that in your avatar?

Let's not talk about transfers because that is a different issue IMO.

There's no requirement that says an LOI absolutely must be signed. I'm not sure where it says that (it doesn't in this August paperwork description, of course. Separate entities), but it's nevertheless true. I think Charlie Villanueva (played hoops for Louisville maybe?) never signed one at all. There have been others I am fairly certain. It is basically something the schools want done so they can be sure that a kid won't enroll there, play a year, and then transfer freely to a rival.

This August paperwork proposal is basically saying that, pending early graduation and actual college enrollment, the school is officially recognizing a scholarship for the prospective student athlete. However, until the enrollment forms are filled out and the student is actually on campus, this paperwork does not bind the student to the school in any way other than figuratively

That is not what I asking. I said if this proposal goes into effect and a kid signs one of these agreements, where does it say other teams can recruit him?

Charlie Villanueva played at UConn.

 

[TNcane83]

Other teams will be able to recruit him because there is nothing about this proposal that is binding. By default he isn't tied in any way to the school, unless between now and the effective date more details are changed. By default, since he isn't bound to the school at all, he should still be able to be recruited.

 

[fastcane]

All that being said, and who the **** wouldn't want to commit and play for the U and one of the best coaches staffs in the country. They have proved it this year and along the way, without them we probably would have two losses this year so far .

 

[Oh Snap]

Early Enrollees Can Sign as Early as August 1

Football coaches have been clamoring for an earlier signing date and they got it. But much earlier than they may have thought and only for a select group of prospects:

The academic and membership affairs staff determined that a prospective student-athlete who intends to graduate from high school midyear and enroll at a member institution midyear during the same academic year (e.g., spring semester) may sign an institutional financial aid agreement on or after August 1 of his or her senior year, provided the institution issuing the financial aid agreement establishes, prior to issuing the agreement, that the prospective student-athlete is enrolled in all coursework necessary to graduate from high school at midyear.

This applies to all sports but will have the biggest impact on football with the largest number of early enrollees and recruiting of committed prospects. Note that midyear enrollees still cannot sign NLIs (except for junior college transfers). So the impact may be limited if coaches are unwilling to sign a prospect to a financial aid agreement that locks the university in to providing a scholarship but does nothing to commit the prospect to the university.

That said, with the rising number of early enrollees and the push for an earlier signing date, expect many coaches and prospects to take advantage of this opportunity to get at least some commitment down on paper as early as possible.

http://www.athleticscholarships.net/2013/10/18/early-enrollees-can-sign-as-early-as-august-1.htm

.

 

[bobbo31]

This is a start to fixing the problem. The other way to really fix it is to have a signing day around Thanksgiving and that is the first time an non-EE can commit. You either sign to the school and are "committed" or you don't sign and you are looking around.

This would prevent kids from getting screwed on NSD also because the school would have to give them a committable offer to sign. If they don't receive one, they know at that moment the school is not serious.

Much like the early signing period for all other sports. I like this a lot.

 

[DaveT]

Seems this new things really only benefits a player. Sign with a school early then get injured, be lazy, etc...and college is stuck with him. Sign with a school early, do awesome, get pulled by another school....college is SOL if he decides to go elsewhere.

 

[TNcane83]

Seems this new things really only benefits a player. Sign with a school early then get injured, be lazy, etc...and college is stuck with him. Sign with a school early, do awesome, get pulled by another school....college is SOL if he decides to go elsewhere.

Not exactly. The latter part, yes, although extending this offer to the athlete doesn't erase that scholarship from being used. It just means that it holds a spot officially for a kid that may still go elsewhere.

As far as the first part, the offer itself is dependent on the student being completely vetted as far as whether or not he will actually graduate early. If all signs point to yes, the offer can be extended. With so much effort going into offering it in the first place, I am sure it can just as easily be pulled if the student slacks off or fails to qualify for early enrollment.

In the end, if pressure is put on anyone over the other, it's the school, because they are offering a scholarship to a player and not affecting his commitment to the school at all. Its going out on a pretty large limb, so it is something that schools and coaches will need to decide on as far as whether or not to actually use this tactic.