Oxford Recruits Say Signing Day Alters Their Futures

With a total of nine prospects committing to play college football, Oxford High School has a lot to celebrate tonight.
Cornerback Devin Rockette is headed to the University of South Alabama and understandably happy about it.
“To play against other D1 players and with other D1 players, that builds me not just as a football player, but as a man and really helps,” Rockette said.
For offensive lineman Kolbe Leary, who is headed to Millsaps, it’s about more than playing ball.
“I wanted to get a good education as well as continue football at a small private school.” said Leary.
Colton Skidmore, Ashton Stewart and DT Thompson are three of the nine who are committed to Northwest Community College. Kent Hickinbottom, Jerry Quiller and Nick Sisk committed to Pearl River Community College and one player, DQ Thomas, committed to Middle Tennessee State.
As OHS athletes faced their decisions today, high school athletes across the country anticipated the same.  Yet, future players may have a different experience given the NCAA’s discussions of opening up a signing period in December.  
According to an article from NewsOk, ” the phenomena of national signing day as a spectacle could be heading toward extinction with the likely introduction of an early signing period. Wednesday’s signing day will mark the end of an era.”
The article goes on to say that the NCAA’s proposal would create opportunities for recruits to take earlier official visits to campuses and reduce some of the hype around recruiting in general. Whatever changes the early signing period may bring, some see it as necessary.
“There’s probably unforeseen issues that may arrive at a later date,” said Chris Cutcliffe, Oxford High School’s Head Football Coach. “But anything that helps the players is really what we should be trying to do.”
Story contributed by Meek School of Journalism students Julia Martinez, Kyra Henderson, Mia Sims and Connor Hindes.