Just for shock value, here’s Bob Bowlsby — Bob Bowlsby! — with a sensible suggestion about signing periods:
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, who chairs the NCAA Football Oversight Committee, said he still thinks December is not early enough for the first signing period and questions why signing dates are even needed.
“Why don’t we have signing windows, or why don’t we have longer signing periods?” Bowlsby said. “For instance, you could have a signing period that starts the first of September and you issue a letter of intent for 14 days, and if the prospect signs it, their recruiting process is over. If they don’t sign it, you can’t re-issue a letter to that person. It’s sort of mutually binding — as a commitment is supposed to be.”
Damn, Bob, that ain’t a half-bad idea. Unfortunately, your coaches would shit bricks if the NCAA gave your proposal any serious thought. But thanks for trying, at least.
Get The Picture 
I can’t see anything wrong with that but feel having a December date after HS playoffs is still best. One thing it would do is allow every drama queen to set an exclusive hat ceremony time on ESPNU, probably at halftime of CFB games.
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I can see where its in the interest of schools to move signing day up. They get their commitments filled sooner.
But I think giving the kids more time to make visits, check their facts, mature, and weigh their options is a better way to go. Plus, a lot of coaching changes take place between the end of the season and signing day. If you move signing day up, then give the recruits some options to wiggle out (under set circumstances, like coaching changes) or at least get some level of legal council.
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