Early signing period begins today
Today begins the college football early signing period for the high school Class of 2019 and the three-day period runs through Friday.
This is the second year for the early signing period, and while 80 percent of the major football prospects signed during this time frame last year, it is expected that a slightly smaller number will sign by this Friday.
The early signing period had long been overdue and it was a big hit during the initial period a year ago.
Are there advantages and disadvantages to the new format?
Yes, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.
For one, it allows commits who are completely on board with their school to sign and get the process over with. By doing this, they don鈥檛 have to worry about schools calling and trying to convince them to go play for them.
Signing early also allows the student-athletes who have already taken enough high school credits to start college in January which gives them a jump academically as well as with their programs.
One disadvantage of signing early is that if a head coach leaves for another school or the NFL, or if the assistant coach who led the recruitment of a player leaves for another job, the commit may not want to attend the school.
While a coach leaving early could have a negative effect on a commit who has already signed, the commits who wait until February to sign will have a better understanding of where head and assistant coaches will be.
It also makes three-star commitments more attractive to schools as most of the players who will sign this week will be four- and five-star recruits.
The early signing period helps bigger programs and smaller programs in different ways.
For bigger programs, it gets their studs signed, sealed and delivered while the smaller schools who get early signees lock the players in whereas if the players don鈥檛 sign early, bigger schools may swoop in and steal them come February.
A drawback is players lose two months on doing more research.
As far as the early signing period, if nothing else, it gives December more college football coverage as it used to mostly just be about the ongoing bowl season.
Next week, we will take a look at the recruiting classes for the local teams.
EF鈥檚 Ackerman switches to Duquesne
Elizabeth Forward AJ Ackerman committed to Duquesne Sunday and is signing his Letter of Intent today at a ceremony at the high school.
A four-year starter on the offensive line and a three-year All-Conference player, Ackerman was named the Big East Conference Lineman of the Year for this past season.
Ackerman, who stands 6-5 and weighs 295 pounds, had originally committed to Towson University, but Duquesne came into the picture Sunday.
鈥淚 always wanted the opportunity to study and play close to home,鈥� said Ackerman, who will major in business. 鈥淚 will benefit from earning a Duquesne degree, and with connections through the university, it will be better for me in the long run.鈥�
Ackerman鈥檚 flip came quick.
鈥淒uquesne offered me on Sunday and that was it,鈥� said Ackerman, who will have a partial scholarship for both athletics and academics. 鈥淚 called Towson Monday and while they were disappointed, I did what I felt was best for my future.鈥�
Parshall aiming for circle job
Penn State pitcher Bailey Parshall, a 2018 grad who led Belle Vernon to three WPIAL softball crowns, knows that the softball season is right around the corner.
鈥淚 am working hard and my goal is to start,鈥� said the southpaw. 鈥淭he competition has been great and I am looking forward to getting the preseason started.鈥�
The team opens practice on Jan. 8.
Email questions/comments to Bill at powerhousehughes@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BillHughes _III.