Early Signing a Possibility in Other Sports

The early signing rule, which now applies only to high school basketball, is under consideration for use in football and baseball, according to a spokesman for the Collegiate Commissioner’s Assn.

“We’re exploring it,” said Dutch Baughman, assistant to Fred Jacoby, chairman of the association.

The early signing rule allows high school basketball players to sign national letters of intent during a one-week period in November, before their senior season has begun. Previously, a basketball player was not allowed to sign a letter of intent until the season concludes in April. The rule, which is four years old, was designed to eliminate recruiting pressures for the players and help colleges cut recruiting costs.

Instituting the rule for other sports, Baughman said, is just an idea.

“We’re just talking about it,” he said. “But nothing formal has happened.”

Details, such as designating the early signing periods for football and baseball, have not been discussed, Baughman said. He also stressed that the proposal has yet to be presented to the Collegiate Commissioner’s Assn., which is the governing body of the national letter of intent program.

If the group eventually approves the plan, it still would have to be approved by the NCAA.