Nearly a week after the SEC announced its new 2020 conference-only season format, the league has now set the preseason camp schedules for its 14-member teams.
On Tuesday, the SEC announced that preseason practices would begin on Aug. 17, more than a month before the season kicks off on Sept. 26. Fall camp was originally slated to begin on Aug. 7.
According to a press release from the conference, the new calendar is intended to provide student-athletes with more days off than required by the NCAA with fewer practices than allowed based on current NCAA rules.
With the new schedule in place, SEC teams are now permitted to conduct up to 14 hours per week of strength and conditioning, team meetings and walkthroughs between Aug. 7-16.
From the start of preseason practices to the season opener, teams are allowed to hold 25 practices limited to 20 hours per week of practice time. The league says that a five-day acclimatization period is required with two days of players wearing helmets only, two days in shells with players dressed out in full pads by day five.
Due to the new schedule, teams will be required to provide players with at least two days off each week until the opening game of the season.
As for the official-and high anticipated-revised season schedule, the SEC has yet to announce, although it is expected to be released this week.
