When Is College Football Early Signing Day?

Historically, the end of December is a time to pound some college football betting odds. Dozens of bowl games take center stage on a crowded sports calendar.

However, there’s another key date for college football fans to keep in mind: Early Signing Day.

When is College Football Early Signing Day?

Early Signing Day for Division I college football is December 21, 2022. Recruits can sign their letters of intent ahead of the traditional National Signing Day in February.

College Football Early Signing Day 2023

Bowl season is about to ramp up, with dozens of exhibition games scheduled over the next week. The College Football Playoff semifinals are under two weeks away.

But it’s college football recruiting and the class of 2023 that will take center stage this week, as high-profile recruits will begin to announce their intended schools for next year.

That could have big ramifications for some schools. Texas, for example, is expecting to add No. 1 linebacker Anthony Hill to a class that should also include quarterback Arch Manning. 

Here’s what #FSU HC Mike Norvell’s day will look like on Early Signing Day.

Florida State holds a bowl game practice that morning. #Noles pic.twitter.com/T5K3aEz9V5

— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) December 19, 2022

When Was the First Early Signing Day?

Early Signing Day was first instituted in December 2017 as a complement to the traditional Division I College Football Signing Day in February. It’s now a huge calendar day in its own right.

Early Signing Day: A Boon for Smaller Programs

Early Signing Day has clearly become a pivotal window of time in the college football recruiting calendar.

In all my conversations with coaches, though, small schools in particular, emphasize how helpful an early signing period can be. 

Historically, non-power programs have identified and recruited diamond-in-the-rough prospects effectively and extracted an early verbal commitment. 

However, once they pop during their senior season and attract more attention from big-time programs, it can be hard to hold their attention all the way into February.

Early Signing Day in December can be a huge asset for smaller schools to lock in recruits before the calendar flips. 

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