NCAA oversight committee recommends signing limit expansion

The NCAA oversight committee has officially recommended a one-year waiver for the current 25-man signing limit, according to Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger.

The waiver still needs approval from the DI Council, but it won’t be a long wait. The decision could come at the Council’s meeting on Oct. 5.

The one-year waiver would allow teams to replace up to seven players who opt to transfer during or after the 2021 football season. Teams could sign a maximum of 32 players in one cycle.

Expanding signing totals beyond the current 25-per-class limit has become increasingly necessary.

The NCAA approved a one-time, penalty-free transfer rule in the offseason, which allows any player to transfer once without having to sit a year. Due to the updated rule, players entered the transfer portal in droves, leaving some programs well below the overall 85-scholarship limit.

All seniors were able to remain on their teams for an extra year, but even that measure hasn’t fully stymied the issue.

If the DI Council does approve the one-year waiver, it will apply to the class of 2022. The early signing period begins on Dec. 15.

Transfers thriving at new programs

The NCAA oversight committee’s decision to expand the signing limit, even for a year, benefits players all over the country.

After the last season, there were more players in the portal than there were open spots on Division I teams. Many of those that did find new homes are thriving.

Jameson Williams, a speedster from St. Louis, left the Ohio State Buckeyes’ crowded wide receiver room this offseason. He’s now a top target for Alabama and new starting quarterback Bryce Young.

Zach Charbonnet transferred from Michigan to UCLA for the season. He’s rushed for 242 yards and six touchdowns in three games. He’s averaging 10.5 yards per carry thus far.

Jermaine Johnson was stuck behind talent on the Georgia defensive line in 2020. Now at Florida State, Johnson’s racked up 28 tackles and 4.5 sacks in the three contests.

Signing limit expansion benefits high school prospects

The proposed signing limit expansion to 32 spots helps DI transfers and high school prospects alike.

Without the waiver, college coaches and personnel staffs would sign fewer high school prospects to leave room for transfers who could contribute more quickly than the young talent.

Some programs may still sign fewer than 25 high school (or junior college) prospects but with seven additional scholarships, they have some wiggle room.