For the first time ever, the NCAA is giving football recruits the option to sign a national letter of intent (NLI) during three days in December, rather than just the usual first Wednesday of each February.
The period itself runs from Dec. 20-22nd. If prospects don’t sign their national letter of intent in that window, they have to wait until the late signing period in February.
Here’s a pretty good video that outlines the whole ordeal from dot com:
Now, you’re probably asking yourself, what does this have to do with Iowa? Well, actually a lot! Kind of.
First and foremost, Iowa expects to sign at least all 15 of its current commits (give or take a couple additions perhaps) tomorrow, Thursday or Friday. This is a big deal because 1. it lets players who are sure of their decision to commit earlier rather than twiddle their thumbs for another six weeks. 2. It lets coaches really hone on some targets that are still on the fence that could fill needs on their roster and 3. It makes football bloggers jobs easier by spreading this thing out a few days.
Stay tuned to BHGP as we’ll have our greasy mitts on fax machines (or more accurately, eyes on Twitter) as hard commits come in.
For some extra reading, you can catch up on who Iowa expects to sign here.