First Down Kentucky: Pushing Back on a Summer Signing Day

Let’s be candid here: it’s Friday at the SEC Tournament. The eyes of the BBN are all on the Kentucky basketball program as they begin their quest to cut down the nets on Sunday for the first time since 2018. Nevertheless, it’s my obligation to give you the latest Kentucky football news on a daily basis. It’s light this time of year, but there’s still a little bit to chew on.

High School Coaches OUT on Summer Signing Period

In an attempt to separate the transfer portal and high school recruiting periods, the NCAA moved up the Early Signing Period a few weeks to the first week of December. It’s not ideal to sign a high school class just a few days after the regular season ends, likely eliminating in-home visits, but it is a necessary trial.

Another idea the NCAA kicked around has received plenty of push-back and rightfully so. The NCAA is considering adding a signing period in the summer, which has become an incredibly active time period in the college football recruiting landscape.

There’s one big significant unintended consequence if this move happens. Players may opt out of their senior seasons and reclassify to join their future college as soon as possible. Georgia high school football coaches released a joint statement condemning a potential summer signing day. “(We) feel it will cause more issues for the high school programs and it is not healthy for our game.”

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart showed his support for high school coaches in the Peach State. He believes players need a senior year of high school football before jumping right into the SEC.

“Well, if a kid doesn’t play his senior year because he signed, I don’t really want him on my team,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said Tuesday. “If he’s going to opt out for his senior year, will he do the same to me? I don’t really know if that’s a viable option. I don’t like the idea of someone signing before their senior year because I think the senior year matters.”

New CFB Playoff Contract

It’s not yet official, but the CFB Playoff is one step closer to expanding to 14 teams before ever playing a 12-team postseason tournament. All 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame have reportedly agreed to a new CFB Playoff contract that begins in 2026. In short, the SEC And Big Ten bullied their way into getting more revenue and more potential playoff spots with a 14-team format on the horizon. While it may not be the worst idea, consider me one of those who’s incredibly annoyed that it took years to get one expansion, only for the suits to expand again before we even see the new format unfold.

The Next Breakout Star for Kentucky

In the midst of offseason talking points, ESPN tabbed one breakout player for each team in their early Top 25. Mark Schlabach foresees Brock Vandagriff becoming a household name around the SEC.

“Before transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff signed to play at Georgia in 2021, then-Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley had handpicked him to run his high-octane offense. The former five-star recruit was regarded as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. In three seasons at Georgia, Vandagriff couldn’t unseat starters Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck,” writes Schlabach.

“Vandagriff attempted 21 passes at Georgia, and Wildcats coach Mark Stoops is counting on him to lead his offense. Stoops likes Vandagriff’s experience and the fact he’ll bring a winning attitude to the locker room. He’ll get a chance to play his former team when the Bulldogs play at Kentucky on Sept. 14.”

Fun Kentucky Football Conversation with SDS

Before the basketball madness completely consumed me, I spent some time talking ball with Connor O’Gara on the SDS Podcast. We discussed the offseason changes around the Kentucky football program and what the future holds for Mark Stoops in Lexington. It also gave me the opportunity to talk about the big shifts in the SEC and the two coaches in the league that grind my gears, Shane Beamer and Eli Drinkwitz.

Enjoy the entire conversation while you wait for tip-off between Kentucky and Texas A&M at the SEC Tournament.