Why Rash of Signing Day Commitments?

[numbersman]

I would say that most think it is just for all the hype. While this might be true some of the time, I would think that mostly it is the desire of the elite prospects to make a choice that others can't try to get them to change. Once they fax their Letter to thre university, no one can expect them to change their mind.

Of course, this process is nerve-racking for us fans and perhaps for more than a few coaches. My guess is that Coach Saban must have a pretty good idea which commits he can expect on NSD. I would think he has talked to these guys enough to know which way they are leaning and might know a lot of confidential decisions that we will all have to learn come Feb. 6.

RTR

 

[CornBiscuit]

I dont think so.

I think it has really changed lately and most recruits do not like the process with the new media outlets, especially the internet -- all of the phone calls, emails, and interviews gets tiring after a while. However, lots of them didn't grow up as huge college fans and it is a very difficult decision and they want to take visits.

For quite a few, they weren't really discovered until their senior year which doesn't allow them to take many visits in season, and they may not have been able to anyways.

 

[BigEasyTider]

I think you basically nailed the two main reasons:

(1) Because it makes a big deal out of their decision, and everyone, particularly a bunch of eighteen year old males, loves to have their ego stroked.

(2) It helps insulate them from pressure surrounding their decision. If you stay completely quiet, then "announce" with your official signature on NSD, no one can do a thing about it. That is very different than what happens when you commit early and then have the hometown crown ride your butt for months.

Either way, I look for a big NSD for us.

 

[Bodhisattva]

With a lot of big time programs having only a handful of spots left, some highly ranked recruits could be out in the cold if they don't coordinate their choice right.

 

[adwillingham]

While there may be more than usual, I think we are noticing because we are in a position to receive commitments from several. There are always some number of high end recruits that wait until signing day (Andre was one two years ago), but for the past several years, our beloved Tide was not really in the mix for those particular recruits.

Just a possible theory.

 

[BigEasyTider]

While there may be more than usual, I think we are noticing because we are in a position to receive commitments from several. There are always some number of high end recruits that wait until signing day (Andre was one two years ago), but for the past several years, our beloved Tide was not really in the mix for those particular recruits.

Just a possible theory.

I think that is the main reason why we are seeing more.

Unfortunately for the past several years -- sans Andre -- we really have no been in the running for all of these top-notch kids that are announcing in National Signing Day. For the most part, the cream of the crop goes then, and we were simply not in the mix for that type of prospect.