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Prep Coaches Scramble As National Signing Day Closes In

TBO.com photo by BILL WARD

Wharton quarterback Andrew Clifford has already verbally committed to South Carolina.

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 1, 2009

Updated: 02/01/2009 08:36 pm

Armwood football coach Sean Callahan felt fortunate heading into the final weekend before National Signing Day.

Callahan had eight seniors who had made a verbal commitment to a college football program, leaving only the formality of those players signing their national letters-of-intent on Wednesday - the first day high school seniors are permitted to sign with their chosen college program - standing in the way of them securing their futures.

That fact is certainly saving Callahan a few headaches these days.

"Recruiting is ugly this time of year," Callahan said. "There's not that many scholarships out there. If you have a kid that doesn't have a scholarship, it's tough to get one for them."

While area high school coaches have spent countless hours helping their players in the recruiting process, they were sure to be working overtime this past weekend and in the next few days as they try desperately to find a place for uncommitted seniors.

"There definitely is a sense of urgency that grows as it gets closer," Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia said.

There are several factors that lead to seniors staying uncommitted this long in the process.

Some may have been late bloomers, players college coaches weren't exactly targeting before they put together solid senior seasons.

Some could have had academic issues, preventing some programs from wanting to take a chance.

Others could have simply had a scholarship offer and either waited too long to give a commitment and that program decided to go in a different direction, or a coaching change in the program could have resulted in the offer being rescinded. Both Callahan and Garcia have dealt with those issues in recent weeks.

While National Signing Day is Wednesday, senior football players have until April 1 to sign a letter-of-intent.

Garcia hinted about the sense of urgency, but most of that comes from the fact that coaches understand that players want to be involved in the glitz and glamour that comes with the first day of the signing period, and they want to do all they can to make that possible.

"They want to be included in the flyover," said Garcia, referring to all the attention that signing day draws from the media. "You can sign all the way to April 1; it's just a matter of, you don't get all the notoriety if you sign later."

The main concern for coaches, however, is helping players find the best option.

"You want your kids to be in an opportunity that, No. 1, is best for their future," Plant coach Robert Weiner said. "The most important thing is for them to end up in the best possible place they can, even if that comes after signing day."

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 259-7616.

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