Engaging in early recruiting while advocating the newly proposed "September 1 of junior year" rule is not inconsistent at all.
These coaches are hired to win, and in this recruiting environment, if one of the top d1 schools were to hold back until the beginning of junior year on principle, it would suffer a significant competitive disadvantage.
The current reality is that most top recruits are not waiting until junior year to commit, certainly not in this environment, with the exception of the Ivies and a handful of others, and coaches know that.
The proposed rule would change the current situation for the better - a uniform date for all to be guided by. Until then, the overarching principle will be to recruit the best class possible - regardless of recruitment age.
Let's hope the proposal passes - it makes sense and hurts no one in the process. Apparently, 85% of college coaches support it. Every school gets to reach out at the same time, and the recruits will be that much more mature, both physically and emotionally.
I only hope that it becomes effective for a specific class year that has not begun the recruiting process, to avoid confusion.
