Hi guys, would just like to ask if it says "LATE" on signing preferences would there still be a chance for him to sign early? And does investing on him early ("the guy with the late preference") is a plus if he does go late?

new to HD just my first season.

No sir he will not sign early. There are 2 recruiting sessions. One before the the post season begins. This is RS1. If a player has a late signing preference, he will not sign in RS1. He will sign at some point in RS2, which begins after post season play.

How early in RS2 he will sign, depends on the recruit himself. He could sign on the first cycle of RS2, or he could sign on the very last cycle

basoy since this is your first season id assume you are coaching DIII. If you are recruiting from the DIII projected players the late preferenced guys can sign anytime in Recruiting session 2.

If you are recruiting D1 players at a D3 school they will not sign until the very last day of recruiting in RS2.
If you are recruiting D2 players while at a D3 school you can sign players on the first day of RS2.
You can only sign D3 players in that early Recruiting session if you coach d3 unless that recruit has a late preference.

Welcome to WIS though. Id recommend reading a lot in the forums and finding a mentor to help you though the first few months. There is a lot to learn. Id also recommend trying to get a few friends involved as well so you can all learn at the same time and ask each other questions about how the game works.

Thanks!