Rocky Long is issuing a strong ultimatum to players in San Diego State's 2018 recruiting class: Sign in December or don't sign at all.
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The 67-year-old seventh-year head coach has been recruiting players for four decades, during which recruiting rules have changed dramatically, one of which he is embracing and wants his recruits to do the same. The NCAA instituted an early signing period in December for prospects who wish to sign a grant-in-aid agreement prior to the now-late period of February. And while it remains to be seen how that early opportunity will affect recruiting, Rocky Long loves the rule.
“I think it’s great for us because we get to find out that the kids who are committed to us, they’re really committed or they’re not really committed,” Long said of the early period, which runs Dec. 20-22, 2017
And although it's only six weeks between the December and February signing periods, it's long enough time for San Diego State commits to pick another school if they don't want to sign early, he says.
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“I’m sure we might lose one or two in December who say they want to think about it a little bit longer,” he added. “Well, they can think about going somewhere else then.”
The Aztecs' 14-man class currently ranks third in the Mountain West and 88th in the country (247Sports). It's unclear how many of their commits intend to sign early and if the Aztecs are pursuing additional recruits that do not wish to sign in December.
Stay tuned. The early signing period will bring about a host of interesting developments.
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