Early National Signing Day 2023: Dates, Announcement Schedules and Latest Rumors

While the college football world is largely focused on the upcoming College Football Playoff—and perhaps still reeling from one of the most debated committee decisions of the playoff era—programs are already heavily centered on recruiting.

Next season will bring the shift to a 12-team playoff format, which means more programs will have a chance to make a serious run. That, along with NIL, is likely to make the recruiting process much less predictable than it has been in years past.

Powerhouse programs like Georgia and Alabama are unlikely to hoard all of the top recruits, even if they still get the bulk of them. According to 247Sports' composite rankings, Georgia, Ohio State, Florida State and Alabama have the top 2024 recruiting classes heading into the early national signing period.

We should get a lot more clarity on the recruiting landscape when the early period opens on December 20.

Early Signing Period Information

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EARLYSVILLE, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 18: Signage during the Division I Mens and Womens Cross Country Championship held at Panorama Farms on November 18, 2023 in Earlysville, Virginia. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Start Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Coverage: ESPN's College Football Live: National Signing Day Special will air on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. ET.

End Date: Friday, December 22, 2023

Commitment Schedule: A list of recruits who are expected to make commitment announcements during the early period can be found at 247Sports.

Dylan Raiola Could Pivot from Georgia

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Buford QB Dylan Raiola

Buford (Georgia) quarterback Dylan Raiola is the No. 2 prospect in 247Sports' recruit rankings, and he committed to Georgia back in May.

However, the 5-star quarterback could potentially flip his decision away from the Bulldogs and pivot to a different program. Nebraska might be Raiola's new landing spot.

"After talking to a source with knowledge of the recruitment I've flipped my 247Sports Crystal Ball Forecast to Nebraska for 247Sports' No. 2 overall recruit," 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong wrote on Monday.

Seeing Raiola land in Nebraska wouldn't come as a total surprise. His father, Dominic, played for the program from 1998-2000 and won the Rimington Trophy as a center before being drafted in the second round by the Detroit Lions. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has also reportedly made a strong impression on the younger Raiola.

"Being able to sit down with Coach Rhule and really understand his vision for that program and where he's headed with that program, and he's proven it at Temple and Baylor and he's going to win at Nebraska as well," he said, per Wiltfong.

Naturally, losing one of the nation's top quarterbacks would be a big blow to the Bulldogs, and Raiola's decision could have a huge impact on the college landscape.

Kyle McCord Not Expect to Transfer to Nebraska

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QB Kyle McCord

Players entering the transfer portal can impact recruits' decisions, and there was some buzz that it could affect Raiola's status in Nebraska.

Former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord, who entered the transfer portal earlier this month, recently visited with the Cornhuskers, according to 247Sports Chris Hummer. That might have meant that Raiola would have to wait a year to see the field.

However, On3's Pete Nakos reported on Wednesday that McCord is not expected to land in Nebraska after all.

"Coming out of that visit, multiple sources now tell On3 that McCord will be moving forward with his recruitment, keeping his options open and looking at another batch of schools," Nakos wrote. "The Huskers will not be in the mix."

If Nakos' report is accurate, it could leave the door open for Raiola to start sooner than later—if he indeed does shun Georgia for Nebraska. It'll be interesting to learn if Raiola's looming decision had any impact on McCord's choice to search for a new home elsewhere.

Courtney Crutchfield Remains Undecided

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FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 17: The Arkansas Razorbacks logo before the college football game between the Missouri State Bears and Arkansas Razorbacks on September 17, 2022, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Pine Bluff (Arkansas) recruit and 4-star wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield had been committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks since April. However, he decommited early last month and went back on the recruiting trail.

"After thorough thinking and praying, I have decided to re-open my recruitment and decommit from the University of Arkansas," Crutchfield wrote in a social-media post.

With a week to go before the early signing period, Crutchfield remains undecided but is eyeing a visit with the Missouri Tigers.

"I've got a visit to Missouri this weekend," Crutchfield told Nate Olson of SBLive. "I was talking with Coach Pitt [Arkansas coach Sam Pittman] today, like I told him, it's still 50-50. So, I'm still undecided where I'm going to go."

It sounds as if the 6'2", 178-pound pass-catcher could still make his way back to Arkansas, though Missouri clearly looms as a threat. It's unclear which, if any, other schools are currently in the mix for Crutchfield.

Wiltfong and Danny West of 247Sports now both predict that Crutchfield will land with the Tigers.