2006 Late Signing Period has began!

And so it begins. The late signing period for 2006 is April 12 through May 17, 2006. The remaining prospects of the 2006 class will be signing during this period, along with more 2007 prospects, but as always there will be some late late 2006 signees, some of which may be impact players. Certainly the coaching carousel is having its impact on the whole thing, with players transferring or being released from their LOI after a coaching change. Please note that essentially the end of the signing period only affects the 2007 prospects. But they can still make verbal commitments.

There have been quite a few developments the last few days but they have been mostly overshadowed by the coaching carousel. Some of the biggest names:

Very promising rising sophomore point guard Jeremy Fears is de-transfering from Iowa State after the coaching change with Virginia Tech being the first to go after him. Regardless he will be sitting out 2006-07. Watch out for him to make an impact in 2007-08.

Lawrence Westbrook, a Wayne Morgan signee at Iowa State, is now with Minnessota. It looks like Dan Monsoon once again is not shying away from talent with baggage.

Huggie-Bear delivers at Kansas State: 7'3" Jason Bennett signs!

Spring cleaning at Iowa: Two assistants are axed and two underachievers are gone (Alex Thompson, Carlton Reed).

Super-athletic wing Tim Morris transfers from Stanford. Once a starter, Morris apparently fell out of favor later in the season.

StJohns is having success in the Kitchen... (former 2005 Florida signee)

Vaden is expected to follow Mike Davis at UAB.

You don't have be a Vulcan to see why it is logical for DJ White to stay at IU.

More drama at Auburn: Talented forward Joey Cameron and Emm. Willis (a USC transfer) are transfering out...

Bruce Pearl found a pearl of a guard in Ramar Smith.

Another thing to look for in the spring singing period is how well the newly hired coaches have done. This is something we will be keeping an eye out for and will report after the signing period ends.

Sometimes overlooked, this is also an important aspect of recruiting: Keeping players out of the NBA draft, and having a plan B if they decide to stay in the draft.