The SEC Bans Oversigning...But Why?

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Since the conclusion of the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Florida last week, the main topic of discussion has been the Southeastern Conference adopting a rule that will limit a schools signing class to only 28 LOI's. I have read a ton of blogs and have offered a few comments on some, but I feel it is time for me to weigh in on the record here at SEC Nation.

I do not agree with this new rule, in fact I will go as far as to say I vehemently despise this rule. Here is why. The NCAA already has a rule in place that will limit the amount of scholarship players that a school may add in a calendar year at 25. Why do we feel that any more legislation is necessary? Why this year?

I am not a "Conspiracy" theorist. In fact I usually try to tamp down any talks of conspiracy against one school or another. One of my "Faithful" friends is completely convinced that the acronym NCAA means National Committee Against Alabama. I have, on occasion, tried to dissuade this opinion. Alas, I am thinking of joining him. Why? Because I see black helicopters circling the Ole Miss 2009 signing class.

In 2004, LSU signed 29 players, Arkansas signed 32(Houston Nutt, but not Ole Miss), Alabama signed 28. In 2005, Alabama's No. 16(Scout) ranked recruiting class saw 30 LOI's signed.

Both Tennessee and South Carolina over-signed that year as well. In 2007, Tennessee signed 32 players and had their recruiting class ranked No. 4 by Scout.com. Auburn singed 30 and South Carolina signed 31 as well, earning both classes a Scout ranking of No. 6 and No. 7 respectively.

After a coaching change, the 2008 Alabama signing class was at 32 and ranked No. 1, none of this over-signing provoked a rule change.

Not until Houston Nutt signs 37 in 2009 for the University of Mississippi does the SEC think it needs to legislate change in the recruiting numbers. Nutt may have seen this coming because he inquired about the number of recruits he could sign from the Universities Compliance Officer and the NCAA.

I know that the 2009 Ole Miss signing class was the largest in recent history, but it was not against any rule. Why do you have to make one?

Is the SEC out to get Ole Miss? I will not go there yet, but I do have theory beginning to take shape in my head.

When you are presented with a chance to sign a four or five star blue-chip athlete, you just about have to offer him a scholarship. If you do not give him an offer, the Nick Saban's and Les Miles' will. Better yet, Bobby Bowden and Mack Brown will, and Bowden/Brown have no rule to stop them from over-signing.

I ask the fans of the Southeastern Conference: Does dominating the National Championship picture over the past three years give cause enough for the Conference to attempt to level the playing field with the rest of the Nation?

This rule should have come from the NCAA, not the SEC. If no other conference adopts this rule or something similar, we are handicapping our chances to continue being the dominant conference in America.

Come on SEC Nation...Chime in on this subject. Let me know what you think.

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