The NCAA announced some approved changes that would be a great benefit to B1G schools.

Among the significant changes brought on by the NCAA’s Division I Council was an early signing date in college football. The NCAA voted to approve a December signing date, which will accompany the traditional February signing date.

The Collegiate Commissioners Association still has to approve that when they meet in June, though the odds are favorable that it will pass.

That was the biggest development in the NCAA’s plan to modernize the recruiting calendar.

The Division I Council also approved a plan that would allow for high school juniors to begin taking official visits in April (until June), as opposed to September under the current model. That would greatly benefit the B1G because it would allow recruits from southern states to get a paid visit to a B1G school during warmer months of the year.

Also approved was the process for a school’s ability to hire “an individual associated with a prospect.” Under the new model, it would be restricted to hire a coach associated with a recruit for two years before or after the hire. In other words, a team can’t hire the top 2018 recruit’s father and then sign the recruit, or visa versa.

Among the other changes that came on Friday was the approval of FBS teams to add a 10th assistant coach, which will go into effect on January 9, 2018.

In terms of satellite camps, FBS coaches will be allowed to conduct camps in a 10-day period during June or July, but only on campus “or in facilities regularly used by the school for practice or competition.”

Northwestern athletic director and Council chair Jim Phillips said that the changes are a breakthrough for recruiting regulations.

“Today’s adoption of the football legislation marks the most significant progress in recent years to improve the football environment and culture for current and prospective student-athletes and coaches,” he said. “Importantly, the action of the NCAA Division I Council delivers on the charge of the Division I Board of Directors to comprehensively improve the football recruiting environment.

“This affirms that the new Division I governance structure can effectively and timely address important issues.”