As you can see under "A", schools can currently accept 28 LOIs for a class and then cut down to 25 through non-qualifiers and grayshirting. Beginning with the 2013 class next year, schools can only sign 25. I think this means that we'll start seeing more late signees. It may make sense for schools to undersign by a couple guys so they can wait to see whether some good players qualify late through a strong spring semester in their senior HS year.
| 2011-43 RECRUITING AND FINANCIAL AID -- LETTER-OF-INTENT PROGRAMS, FINANCIAL AID AGREEMENTS -- LETTER OF INTENT RESTRICTION -- LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF SIGNINGS -- BOWL SUBDIVISION FOOTBALL Status: Adopted, 60-Day Override Period Process Diagram Intent: In bowl subdivision football, to specify that there shall be an annual signing limit of 25 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or institutional offer of financial aid from December 1 through May 31; further to specify that a prospective student-athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and becomes an initial counter for the same academic year in which the signing occurred (e.g., midyear enrollee) shall not count toward the annual limit on signings. A. Bylaws: Amend 13.9.2.3, as follows: [federated provision, fbs only] 13.9.2.3 limitation on number of national letter of intent/offer of financial aid signings -- bowl subdivision football. in bowl subdivision football, there shall be an annual limit of 28 25 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid from December 1 the initial signing date of the regular signing period of the National Letter of Intent through May 31. [D]13.9.2.3.1 Exception -- Counter During Same Academic Year. A prospective student-athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and becomes an initial counter for the same academic year in which the signing occurred (e.g., midyear enrollee) shall not count toward the annual limit on signings. B. Bylaws: Amend 15.5.1.10.1, as follows: [federated provision, fbs only] 15.5.1.10.1 limitation on number of national letter of intent/offer of financial aid signings -- bowl subdivision football. [fbs] in bowl subdivision football, there shall be an annual limit of 28 25 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid from December 1the initial signing date of the regular signing period of the National Letter of Intent through May 31. [D]15.5.1.10.1.1 Exception -- Counter During Same Academic Year. A prospective student-athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and becomes an initial counter for the same academic year in which the signing occurred (e.g., midyear enrollee) shall not count toward the annual limit on signings. Source: Southeastern Conference Effective Date: August 1, 2012 Proposal Category: Amendment Topical Area: Recruiting Rationale: This proposal seeks to address concerns regarding to the practice of "oversigning" football prospective student-athletes to National Letters of Intent or financial aid agreements. Reducing the signing limit from 28 to 25 is an appropriate step to focus recruitment and signing of prospective student-athletes to the Football Bowl Subdivision limit on initial counters. By limiting the number of signees, institutions will be encouraged to focus their recruiting efforts on prospective student-athletes with the necessary academic and athletic credentials to succeed at the certifying institution. Estimated Budget Impact: None. Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None. Position Statement(s): Awards, Benefits, Expenses and Financial Aid Cabinet The cabinet supports the proposal; however, it is concerned that the proposal does not address the issue of oversigning in other sports or the issue of offering aid the institution does not expect to have available. Football Issues Committee The committee supports the proposal and agrees with the sponsor's rationale. Recruiting and Athletics Personnel Issues Cabinet The cabinet supports the proposal and agrees with the sponsor's rationale. History
| ||||||||||||||||
