The disclaimer is gone and the bandaid is being ripped off: the early signing period is officially happening.

The NCAA’s Division 1 Council approved of an early signing period back in April, but that approval was merely one hurdle the concept needed to clear. The Collegiate Commissioners Association runs the National Letter of Intent program, and any changes would have to run through them.

On Monday, those changes were approved.

The CCA approved of an early signing period running from Dec. 20 to Dec. 22 of this year.

As expected, the Collegiate Commissioners Association has approved a 72-hour football early signing period beginning Dec. 20. pic.twitter.com/m8AzLf8crN — George Schroeder (@GeorgeSchroeder) May 8, 2017

The early signing period will change recruiting as we know it. How, exactly, the new period will change remains to be seen, but it’s safe to say Dec. 20 will alter how coaches recruit, build and defend their signing classes.