National Signing Day? More like National Scam Day

It's national signing day and you're expecting what, exactly?

Drama? News? Breaking News?

Those of us with lives know better. This day we've all been conditioned into anticipating is a fraud. Today only begins an almost two-month signing period for football. Top programs were actually finished recruiting weeks ago. They've already moved on to this year's juniors. It's called working ahead and it's been that way for years.

Remember how Terrelle Pryor signed on his own terms? Maybe the Buckeye was on to something. (Getty Images)

Nothing wrong with it, just don't be suckered into making this a national holiday. There's a bright, bold world out there, recruitniks. Back away from the chat rooms and change out of your pajamas by noon. You're being flim-flammed.

Sure, there are exceptions. There will be the odd five-star who is cajoled into making his choice Wednesday on television. Some are wiser. Last year the nation's No. 1 recruit Terrelle Pryor held a press conference on signing day to announce, well, nothing. He was going to take his time. Eventually Pryor signed with Ohio State in March.

That was great for Pryor. Bad for us suckers who had traveled to Jeannette, Pa. for the momentous occasion. This year's Pryor is Wichita's Bryce Brown who networks have tried to convince to grace their air with his decision today. Brown still has two visits to make and, like, Pryor probably won't decide until March.

"The coaches put a lot of pressure on a lot of those kids," said Brian Butler, Brown's advisor in the recruiting process. "Not five-star kids. It's two-star kids. They say, 'It's January 15 and you need to get this done right now, or else.' That's the pressure these kids are under. Commit before signing day but sign on signing day."

That's sad. So is programming built on the decisions of teenage boys. The Worldwide Leader has gotten into the business of convincing these kids to announce their signing day choice on the air. The process has devolved into some sort of freakish reality show (is there any other kind?). Housewives of Orange County move over for Five-Stars of the SEC.

"ESPN is making news, not reporting news anymore," said Tom Lemming, recruiting analyst for MaxPreps. "They're dangerously close to obstructing recruiting. They've been doing that for a couple of years. That's not right, especially for a news reporting agency. It's such a monopoly now."

"The tough part about doing that, it creates an environment where you're not just recruiting against other schools," New Mexico coach Mike Locksley said, "you're recruiting against network executives, you're recruiting against recruiting gurus. You're recruiting against decision-makers for all-star games."

Anyone else need a shower?

College basketball recruiting has long been a cesspool. Football recruiting is careening toward that low place in the water table. The NCAA recently stepped in and had to label seventh-grade basketball players as "prospects" in order to protect them with association recruiting rules. Football might be headed that way. Recruitniks and coaches everywhere already know about David Sills, a hot quarterback prospect from Delaware.

Sills is 12, but already he has been in several high-profile quarterback camps and is being tutored by quarterback guru Steve Clarkson.

Depending on who you talk to Butler either has Brown's (and his parents') best interests at heart, or is the football reincarnation of a scourge that has long infiltrated college basketball: The street agent.

Poll What do you think of Signing Day? 10% It's like Christmas!   24% Mildly entertaining   65% Overrated!   Total Votes: 23963

"Some of the coaches I talk to say they don't want it to turn into college basketball," Brown's high school coach Brian Byers said. "I think what Brian Butler is doing is good. I just think that society as a whole needs to step up on athletics and be realistic. Is my kid a freak of nature?"

If they're not, they usually can't play Division I-A football at its highest level. If they are, today isn't their day. Today is fake. Today is a symbol. Today is for coaches, like Illinois' Ron Zook, to be making recruiting calls to juniors.

"I bet my paycheck he's going to be on the phone offering juniors," said Locksley, Illinois' offensive coordinator the past four seasons. "They've already identified top juniors in the state. The top 10 are getting a phone call from Ron Zook. That's what I'm used to and that's what I see us getting up to."

Like we said, there are exceptions. Matt Barkley will probably work out today at USC, maybe watch film. Toss the ball around a little. He definitely won't be signing.

Barkley is this year's No. 1 recruit and also committed to the Trojans a year ago. This would be his day too until Barkley got the crazy idea to enroll early at USC. He was so intent on it that he became the first football player in more than half a century to graduate early from prestigious Mater Dei in Santa Ana, Calif.

His high school has produced two Heisman Trophy winners (QBs Matt Leinart, USC, 2004 and John Huarte, Notre Dame, 1964). Barkley is hoping to become Heisman winner No. 8 for USC. If work ethic is an indicator, he has a head start. The quarterback got the early enrollment idea a year ago and started doubling up on classes -- he took calculus and trigonometry at the same time. There was a four-year religion requirement to complete in 3½ years, no easy feat at this Catholic juggernaut.

In December the Barkley family took a mission trip to South Africa. Barkley and his dad, Les, cut the visit short to fly to Florida for a high-school all-star game. From there, it was back to California and Matt's personal signing day at USC in early January, before the first week of classes.

A month later, the state of the nation's No. 1 recruit is obvious.

"He's extremely happy," Les Barkley said.

Wish all the prospects were so relaxed on Wednesday.