Collegiate Commissioners Association votes down proposed June signing period for college football

The possibility of having a June signing period for high school recruits in college football hit a deadlock on Thursday. The Collegiate Commissioner Association voted against the proposal, avoiding a potentially significant change to the landscape’s recruiting calendar.

According to ESPN's college football insider Pete Thamel, the commissioners rejected the introduction of a June signing period in a straw vote earlier on Wednesday. They effectively solidified that decision by abstaining from a formal vote during Thursday's meetings.

This effectively keeps the college football early signing period in December for the next couple of years. The proposed June recruiting window was slated to begin in 2025, perfectly timed for the class of 2026. However, the opposition means it won’t become a reality anytime soon.

The clamor for a June signing period in college football

In recent years, excitement about a June signing period for high school recruits has been growing nationwide, necessitating official consideration. A host of analysts, stakeholders and the media have offered strong opinions on the proposal over the last couple of years.

This buzz has intensified as the transfer portal and the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff have increasingly encroached on the early signing period. This is the timeframe in which programs have secured the majority of their recruiting classes since its inception in 2017.

June remains a crucial month for high school recruiting, with numerous high-profile recruits utilizing this period to complete the majority of their official visits. Additionally, many choose to make their commitments before the onset of the fall high school football season.

The possibility of adoption in the future

After a June signing period met substantial opposition from college football stakeholders earlier this week, the chances of the proposal coming to life anytime soon are slim. The idea is still widely opposed by conferences and programs, which makes its actualization difficult.

Nonetheless, the recent opposition doesn't rule out having a signing period in June in the future. With the continuous changes in the college football calendar, the need to have an earlier signing period than December is bound to rise. This could eventually facilitate stakeholders' consideration and ratification.