Mark Stoops calls for changes to December recruiting process

Kentucky Wildcats head football coach Mark Stoops isn’t happy with the December recruiting process, calling for changes to the system.

It’s easy to see why he might be frustrated with the process. The NCAA Transfer Portal now opens for players to enter on December 5th. This season, the Early Signing Period, which is when most recruits sign, was on December 21st. In the meantime, coaching staffs need to deal with firings, hiring replacements, and bowl preparation.

“Things are adjusting,” Mark Stoops said. “Things are changing.”

“I was in favor, I was voting for the Early Signing Period. But, I think now, this month is so crazy. I don’t know. I think we just got to get together and have some great leadership and some discussions about how to improve this process.”

Mark Stoops was then asked if other coaches feel the same as him. He said he thinks a lot do feel the same way.

“I can’t speak for everybody. I know there’s many coaches that I’ve talked to, yes, there is.”

Mark Stoops on recruiting with the transfer portal

Another concern that Mark Stoops has is recruiting with the transfer portal, which he describes as being incredibly difficult.

“It’s extremely challenging, to say the least. I don’t know. I don’t have all the answers but this right here is not sustainable. It’s just clearly not. I think any and all head coaches would say that in some form or fashion,” Mark Stoops said.

“We’ll see where it goes. I mean hopefully, we’ll all get together, find some common ground, and some ways to help everybody that’s involved.”