The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff means more teams than ever have realistic national championship dreams, but laying the groundwork for those dreams doesn't start with the first game of the season.
It starts months in advance on the recruiting trail.
While plenty of teams are still chasing the sport's ultimate trophy in 2024, they also have their attention on building for future seasons with the arrival of this year's early signing period.
The initial early signing day is Wednesday, Dec. 4, and recruits who want to get a jumpstart on their collegiate careers have until Friday, Dec.