Hounds adding transfers in early signing period

PORTALES — This week’s early college football signing period is largely one for Division-I schools to get an early commit from the blue-chip prospects, so they can focus on getting the undecideds for the normal February signing date.

But there are gains Eastern New Mexico hopes to make as a Division-II program starting Wednesday.

The normal letter of intent signing day for football is Feb. 6, but a 2017 rule change let Division I schools have an early signing period in December. Last year, 219 players on the ESPN 300 prospect list signed in December.

It will probably be that way Wednesday through Friday, but there’s some excitement brewing in Portales as well.

“For us, it’s a mid-year signing period for transfers,” ENMU coach Kelley Lee said. “We feel pretty good. We’ve got six or seven commitments right now, all commitments who can make us better.”

The players are junior college transfers, most of them with two years remaining. Some will transfer to the Greyhounds with three years of eligibility remaining. Prospects who academically qualify for an NCAA school but go the juco route can transfer after one season.

Under NCAA rules, Lee can’t discuss any of the prospects specifically until they officially sign letters of intent. The players have only given verbal commitment, and are only required to honor the commitment once a letter of intent is submitted to the school.

Lee was still working the phones over the last few days to get a few more commitments.

“We’re probably sending a scholarship offer out to eight or nine (additional prospects) who will make their decision (during the period),” Lee said. “If we get a couple of those, that will be nice.”

The Greyhounds went 5-6 last season against a tough schedule, as four of the six teams it lost to played in either the Division II playoffs of a postseason bowl game.

No local players were expected to sign with a Division-I school in the early period.