Muschamp: Early signing period good in some aspects for Gamecocks

College football is changing its recruiting landscape starting in less than six months with the early signing period starting in December with the 2018 class.

The rule, passed by the NCAA in May, gives high school and junior college players a chance to sign letters of intent over a 72-hour period in December before the typical signing day in February.

Will Muschamp, who’s picked up a couple of commitments over the last week, said in May he thinks the early signing period is good for players who have already committed to a college by December.

Also see: Full updates on 2018 baseball class

“I think from a standpoint from the young men you’re know are going to South Carolina, it helps. Because if you don’t go see them in January, you always feel like someone’s back-dooring you,” he said. ‘That’ll be good in my opinion to work more on the next class. You’ll also know in December if a guy is coming to your place or not. So all these guys that say they’re committed but they just have a reservation, why aren’t you signing? That’s a good thing I think.”

Muschamp and the Gamecocks have picked up four commitments over the last three weeks for the 2018 class: RJ Roderick, Wyatt Campbell, Dakereon Joyner and Dantrell Barkley.

They’ll try and add more over the next few months before the December signing period. The Gamecocks have hosted nine camps for prospective student-athletes over the last month with one more to go on July 21.

Also see: Insider team scoop, plus updates on Jaycee Horn

Big-time Gamecock recruits Stephon Wynn, Jabari Ellis, Jonathan Gipson, Bryce Thompson Trey Dean, Dorian Green, Dylan Wonnum, Josh Vann, Matthew Hill and Jaycee Horn are all reported to commit to a school in July with South Carolina in the running for all of these players.

“Recruiting’s a marathon, not a race. You just keep plugging away, keep going, keep communicating and keep evaluating,” Muschamp said. “We have a big June coming up with nine camp days and one in July, so 10 camp days that you’re able to have on campus. The season’s a critical time for us to continue to show momentum for student athletes that are looking at South Carolina.”

Also see: Why is July key for the Gamecocks?

There are currently 10 players committed in the 2018 class, two four-star prospects and eight three-stars.

It’ll be the first class Muschamp has signed where he’s been head coach for the entire recruiting cycle. He was hired in December 2015, only two months before Signing Day in 2016.

Muschamp, who’s been tabbed as one of the best recruiters in the SEC, said it’s not just about bringing in top-level but developing those players over the next two years as well.

So as the Gamecocks still work on putting together their 2018 class, they still have to bring those players into the program and get them ready to play in the SEC.

“It’s all encompassing,” Muschamp said. “To sit here and say that we feel good about where we are I don’t know if you ever feel good until you’ve signed them and two years down the road they’ve been the type of player that you’ve wanted to be.”