NIL

Big 12 football post

Published

8 months ago

May 11, 2025

Let’s be honest — all the preseason expectations for the 2024 Big 12 season were turned on their heads.

Teams such as Utah and Oklahoma State that were projected to contend for the conference championship finished near the bottom of the league standings, while others such as Arizona State, BYU and Colorado — who had meager expectations — ended up being among the Big 12’s best.

That makes any effort to create Big 12 power rankings at this time of the year seem fruitless, but in spite of that kind of thinking, there’s still something fun in arguing who might control the league this upcoming season.

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With the spring transfer portal window closed, there won’t be a ton of transfer movement between now and the start of the 2025 season. That makes it a perfect time to look at the conference and how transfers could impact the league race this year with a post-spring Big 12 power rankings.

Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) celebrates a run against Texas during the second half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. | Brynn Anderson, Associated Press

1. Arizona State Sun Devils

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 14th in Big 12, 55th nationally

The Sun Devils will tremendously miss tough-minded running back Cam Skattebo — who seemed to do it all for ASU — but they have key offensive weapons returning in quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

It’s fair to expect Leavitt to take another step forward after his first season as a starter, and Tyson is a dangerous receiver. Add in running back transfer Kanye Udoh from Army, and there appear to be several playmakers on offense.

While Arizona State didn’t bring in any transfer rated four stars by 247 Sports, the Sun Devils also didn’t lose any four-star transfers.

Given the Sun Devils’ retention efforts — they have 10 starters back on defense — the defending Big 12 champion remains the team to beat.

2. Iowa State Cyclones

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 15th in Big 12, 59th nationally

The Cyclones didn’t need to rely a ton on the transfer portal — they brought in a league-low eight transfers — but Iowa State’s average rating of 86.75 for its transfer class is second among Big 12 programs, per 247 Sports’ metrics.

The one four-star transfer Iowa State landed was former East Carolina wide receiver Chase Sowell, who was brought in — along with UCF’s Xavier Townsend — to help the Cyclones replace two NFL draft picks in wideouts Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins.

Quarterback Rocco Becht is also back for a roster that sees little turnover and rising expectations after a school-record 11 wins last year.

3. BYU Cougars

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 16th in Big 12, 83rd nationally

Last year, BYU wasn’t extremely active in the transfer portal despite coming off a 5-7 season.

The Cougars instead focused on continuity over quick changes, and it resulted in an 11-win season wherein BYU was oh-so-close to making the Big 12 championship game.

This year, the Cougars have lost some key players to the transfer portal — All-American kick returner/wide receiver Keelan Marion and linebacker Harrison Taggart primary among them — while adding a modest transfer class led by the likes of former Michigan offensive tackle Andrew Gentry, Utah defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa and the Bachmeier brothers Hank and Tiger from Stanford.

Former Oklahoma State defensive tackle Justin Kirkland was also brought in alongside Tanuvasa to hopefully shore up a lot of attrition on the defensive line.

There’s some risk with this group playing well together, but also the potential for BYU to cash in again if their worst-ranked Big 12 transfer class properly fills the needs the Cougars had.

For now, it’s safe to think the Cougars will factor in the Big 12 race, but how the new pieces mesh — and quarterback Jake Retzlaff’s potential progression — will determine if the Cougars are serious contenders.

Stanford linebacker David Bailey (23) runs on the field during the first half of an NCAA football game against Syracuse on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 in Syracuse, N.Y. Bailey has transferred to Texas Tech to help bolster the Red Raiders defense. | Adrian Kraus, Associated Press

4. Texas Tech Red Raiders

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 1st in Big 12, 2nd nationally

The Red Raiders have gone all-in with the transfer portal.

That influx of talent and change is an enticing reason to vault them up the power rankings, while still warranting enough trepidation that things might never come together fluidly with a transfer-heavy team.

Of Texas Tech’s 21 transfers, 13 are rated four stars by 247 Sports. By comparison, the rest of the Big 12 has 16 total four-star transfers combined.

Former Stanford edge David Bailey headlines the incoming transfer class that focused heavily on revamping a defense that ranked 122nd in FBS in scoring defense (34.8) last season.

5. Kansas State Wildcats

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 13th in Big 12, 54th nationally

The Wildcats have been a model of consistency in the Big 12 in recent years, as they’ve won nine or more games over the past three seasons and eight or more in five of the past six years.

That makes it easy to believe that Kansas State will be a player in the Big 12 race again this year and could again make a run at the league championship.

Dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson returns for his second year as a starter and first under new offensive coordinator Matt Wells, the former Utah State head coach.

Running back Dylan Edwards is also back and should provide a dynamic duo again with Johnson, even with fellow back DJ Giddens off to the NFL.

6. Baylor Bears

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 9th in Big 12, 48th nationally

The Bears ended the 2024 regular season as hot as any Big 12 team — winning six straight games — before losing to LSU in their bowl game.

Combine that with the fact that quarterback Sawyer Robertson captained a potent attack during that run and Dave Aranda’s defense made improvements, and Baylor looks like it is on the right path toward being in the upper tier of the league yet again.

While Baylor’s transfer portal class ranks ninth overall in the Big 12, its 86.5 average player ranking in 247 Sports’ metrics is fourth among conference schools. That includes four-star transfer QB Walker White, giving the Bears a potent signal caller room.

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier scrambles during the Utes’ spring football scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. | Anna Fuder/Utah Athletics

7. Utah Utes

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 7th in Big 12, 39th nationally

The arrival of New Mexico transfer quarterback Devon Dampier and first-year offensive coordinator Jason Beck has created a palpable buzz for the Utes after a forgettable 5-7 season.

The Utes defense ought to be solid-to-dominant yet again — it was what kept Utah in so many games last year, even when the offense was sputtering — but how Utah’s offense is able to come together will determine what Kyle Whittingham’s squad will accomplish in 2025.

Dampier is a dual-threat QB who’s already being projected as one of the best signal callers in the league, and four-star transfer running back Wayshawn Parker is expected to be the team’s leading rusher behind an offensive line that’s in the running to be the best in the country.

Will Utah be able to make a transfer class wherein its average player ranking is 86.25 — fifth-best in the Big 12 — fill the roster’s holes effectively?

If the offense gets humming again, this roster has the potential to be a Big 12 contender and vault up the power rankings quickly. The program’s building blocks and culture — along with a stout defense — are still there from the Utes’ run to back-to-back Pac-12 championships.

8. TCU Horned Frogs

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 12th in Big 12, 52nd nationally

Sonny Dykes’ group looked improved in the back half of the 2024 season — winning six of its final seven games against a majority of bottom-half league teams — and can build off that.

The Horned Frogs don’t have a big transfer class coming in — there are 12 additions thus far — but that group has an 86.08 average player ranking, just below Utah for sixth in the Big 12.

Jordan Dwyer, a four-star wide receiver transfer from Idaho who had 78 catches for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, should be a big addition for quarterback Josh Hoover.

Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter throws during an NCAA college football spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. | Jack Dempsey, Associated Press

9. Colorado Buffaloes

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 2nd in Big 12, 20th nationally

There’s a lot of talent that left Colorado following last season, when the Buffaloes went 9-4 and were one of four Big 12 teams to go 7-2 in league play.

Do-everything Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders headline a group that’s moved on to the NFL, and there’s more wholesale changes coming to Boulder, as the Buffaloes are bringing in 26 transfers, including three four-star guys in 247 Sports’ rankings.

That’s become the norm with Deion Sanders as head coach.

Former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter is the one taking over for Shedeur Sanders, while safety Noah King is a Class of 2025 four-star prospect who spent the spring at Kansas State and can help anchor the back end of the Colorado defense.

For now, best to keep the expectations more realistic until proven otherwise — though the Buffaloes could be dangerous again.

10. Kansas Jayhawks

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 6th in Big 12, 38th nationally

The Jayhawks were an enigma in 2024. They went into the year with high expectations, stumbled mightily to a 1-5 record midway through the season, then beat multiple top 25 teams in the back half before finishing 5-7.

That makes it hard to trust Kansas going into 2025.

Jalon Daniels is back at quarterback after a rough season, though star back Devin Neal is gone. If Daniels returns to pre-2024 form, Kansas could be dangerous.

The Jayhawks have brought in several defenders in their transfer class, including former South Carolina linebacker Bangally Kamara, a versatile player who’s rated a four-star transfer and played four seasons at Pitt.

11. Oklahoma State Cowboys

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 5th in Big 12, 33rd nationally

The Cowboys dropped off majorly last year, but with Mike Gundy still in charge, let’s assume that Oklahoma State can bounce back a bit this year and compete for the postseason after a forgettable 3-9 campaign.

Oklahoma State has been a model of consistency under Gundy, but 2024 rocked that narrative, and now 38 transfers are coming to Stillwater.

While that ensures there will be plenty of new names at OSU, there are a couple that will be familiar in Utah circles — former BYU signee Carson Suesue is headed to the Cowboys as a linebacker, as is former Lehi High tight end Grayson Brousseau, who spent last year at Utah State.

12. West Virginia Mountaineers

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 4th in Big 12, 31st nationally

If Oklahoma State’s 38 transfers sounds like a lot, check out the list of incoming transfers at West Virginia.

The Mountaineers have a league-high 51 players transferring to the school as Rich Rodriguez returns to take over the program.

While Rodriguez’s return sparks some optimism, that amount of turnover makes it difficult to believe the team can build some chemistry this year.

For that reason, it’s safer to keep expectations low for West Virginia, whose average player rating of 85.45 for transfers, per 247 Sports, is only ahead of BYU in the Big 12.

13. Arizona Wildcats

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 10th in Big 12, 50th nationally

Like West Virginia, Arizona is bringing in a collection of less-heralded transfers, though at 26 incoming players, that’s nearly half as many as the Mountaineers.

The Wildcats’ incoming group has an 85.50 average player rating, third-worst in the Big 12 per 247 Sports metrics.

The first year under head coach Brent Brennan saw Arizona take a significant step back as a program, and he’s got quite an uphill climb ahead of him. Yes, quarterback Noah Fifita returns, but the Wildcats have depth needs to try to become competitive in the Big 12.

Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman warms up before an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. Weigman has transferred to Houston. | Butch Dill, Associated Press

14. Houston Cougars

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 3rd in Big 12, 28th nationally

The Cougars’ transfer haul has been solid this offseason, ranking third among Big 12 teams and seventh in the conference in average player rating (86.00), per 247 Sports.

Houston, though, was hit hard in its secondary by losing four-star transfers AJ Haulcy and Jeremiah Wilson to the portal. Haulcy landed at LSU and Wilson at Florida State.

Still, the addition of former Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman brings some hope that a moribund Cougars offense can be turned around.

15. Cincinnati Bearcats

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 11th in Big 12, 51st nationally

The Bearcats are having a tough time adjusting to the power conference level.

While Cincinnati has quarterback Brendan Sorsby and star defensive tackle Dontay Corleone back, the Bearcats are still trying to build around them.

At least they were able to reel in a four-star transfer talent in offensive tackle Joe Cotton.

For now, Cincinnati is just trying to get itself bowl eligible for the first time as a Big 12 member after it spoiled that chance last year when it lost five straight to end the year and finished 5-7.

16. UCF Knights

247 Sports transfer portal rankings: 8th in Big 12, 42nd nationally

The Knights will look vastly different next season, and that starts at the top.

Guz Malzahn left his post as UCF’s head coach to become the offensive coordinator at Florida State, and for new head coach Scott Frost, that means a rebuilding project in Orlando.

It will include 40 transfers, the second-most in the Big 12, and retooling on both sides of the ball.

Sure, the Knights could surprise, but for now, they bring up the rear in the conference.

FILE – In this Oct. 7, 2017, file photo, UCF head coach Scott Frost works the sidelines in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, in Cincinnati. Frost is back as UCF’s coach. | John Minchillo, Associated Press

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NIL Funds Are at Top of Arizona State’s Christmas Wishlist

Published

20 minutes ago

December 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

TEMPE — Fan support. Improving facilities. Competent head coaches. Nearly all of the factors that the Arizona State Sun Devils need to maintain quality athletic programs are in place.

Kenny Dillingham, Bobby Hurley, Molly Miller, volleyball coach JJ Van Niel, and many others have displayed marked moments of success during their respective tenures. Baseball, swim and dive, and volleyball have broken attendance records in the last year. The indoor practice facility for the football program appears to be well on the way to being constructed.

One thing that is missing is consistent support from within the sphere of NIL.

Arizona State was late in entering the “arms race” that name image and likeness has created – it has shown in recent years as well.

While the Sun Devils were able to accomplish things such as winning Big 12 titles in football (2024) and volleyball (2025), there are still limitations at the moment – this season of giving opens the door for individuals to make a difference that can shape the future of Arizona State athletics.

Dillingham Gets Honest About NIL Efforts

Dillingham was candid when speaking about the program’s NIL efforts last Saturday when interacting with media following reports that he had agreed to an amended contract with the university.

“Can we get people who aren’t involved, who maybe didn’t go to Arizona State who did go to Arizona State and are far away? Can we get the Phil (Mickelson) involved, like, get these guys involved in our program, the Jon (Rahm), can we get people back involved in this program, that and get them involved in a level that everybody knows, man, these guys love Arizona state.”

While the efforts the program has made since Graham Rossini took over as AD in May of 2024, they are still behind in many ways and surely could use a donor in a similar vein of Mickelson or Rahm.

This is a plan of attack that has proved to work in the past – as a high six-figure donation by program alum James Harden in 2024 likely funded the basketball program handsomely and was a big part in being able to keep stars such as Jayden Quaintance happy.

The effort didn’t work out long-term, but it shows that when the infrastructure is supported by passionate and influential fans – there are avenues any given program can take to reach the state of consistent contention

Read more on why the Arizona State men’s basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the bright future of the football program isn’t dimmed by the loss to Arizona here.

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page when you click right here.

Please follow us on X when you click right here, as well as @khicks_21 for nonstop Arizona State coverage!

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Kirby Smart gives fiery response to question about conversations with players on future

Published

1 hour ago

December 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Throughout the month of December, college football players everywhere are making life-altering decisions about their future. Many are even releasing well-crafted announcements over social media regarding whether they intend to remain with their current program to seek greener pastures elsewhere.

Some upper classmen are even declaring their intention to enter next April’s NFL Draft or announcing postseason all-star game invites. And let’s not forget about National Signing Day on the first Wednesday of the month.

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At the same time, college football coaches are having often difficult and frank conversations with their current roster, while at the same time formulating a plan of attack ahead of Jan. 2nd, when the NCAA Transfer Portal opens for two full weeks.

It’s happening all over, … well, except in Athens apparently, where No. 3 Georgia (12-1) is busy preparing for a return to New Orleans for the College Football Playoff‘s Sugar Bowl national quarterfinal against No. 6 Ole Miss (12-1). Kickoff is set for 8 pm ET, New Year’s Day inside the Caesars Superdome. When asked about how he’s splitting his time between bowl prep and roster management at a recent press conference, UGA head coach Kirby Smart flipped the script regarding what he’s telling Bulldogs players that might approach him with concerns about their future.

“We’re focused on this team. I think it’d be remiss to say we’re focused on roster management. We’re not focused on it. We’re focused on prep and getting better,” Smart said Monday. “And for a while it’s been intrinsically looking at ourselves and asking each player: ‘Did you come here to develop? Did you truly come here to develop?’ Because if you did, all your buddies are out there right now, everybody’s announcing what they’re doing, announcing that I’m going into the portal, announcing that I’m re-signing. How about you announce that you’re getting better and you’re going to practice and actually do what (for the prior) 20 and 30 years college football players did before you, which was practice in December – when they’re on good teams – and get better.

“Because if you’re going to play somewhere else, you know what you need to do? You need to get better. If you’re going to play here, you know what you need to do? You need to get better,” Smart continued. “If you want to go to the National Football League and play, this is your last chance to get better. Because they’re not going to give you much opportunity, they’re going to cut you or keep you based on how you do, and they don’t get to practice in pads so many days. So development occurs in December for us, and that’s what we’ve been focused on.”

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Shane Beamer blasts report surrounding cost of deals signed by LaNorris Sellers, Dylan Stewart

Published

2 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

South Carolina fans received an early Christmas present this week when superstar quarterback LaNorris Sellers and star pass rusher Dylan Stewart both inked new rev-share/NIL deals with the Gamecocks to return for the 2026 season. Sellers announced his plan to return on Monday on X/Twitter, while Stewart confirmed his return Tuesday on Instagram.

And while South Carolina’s Shane Beamer undoubtedly welcomed both back with open arms, the fifth-year Gamecocks head football coach shot down a Tuesday night report from Columbia’s SportsTalk Media Network suggesting the price tag for the two Gamecocks stars was “in the neighborhood of $5 million from the school’s rev share total.”

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“Sounds to me like you need some much better sources,” Beamer reponded on X/Twitter on Christmas Eve. “This isn’t even remotely close to being true. #AnythingForClicks #Merry Christmas”

Sellers has been one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in college football the past two seasons, combining on 5,915 total yards and 43 touchdowns as South Carolina’s starter in 2024-25. That included more than 2,700 yards and 18 touchdowns in a difficult 2025 season that saw Beamer part ways with offensive coordinator Mike Shula in early November. Beamer has since hired former Arkansas, FSU and TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles as the Gamecocks’ new OC ahead of Sellers’ third season as QB1.

“He’ll be the first to tell you he needs to play better, and we’ve got to coach him better,” Beamer said earlier this month, according to On3’s Gamecock Central. “We’ve got to be better around him, and we all have to be accountable. He understands that. … (And) all indications I’ve had from LaNorris are that he wants to be here. … He knows that the job is not finished, and there’s a lot of excitement about ’26, and he and a lot of our other players that are returning feel that same way.”

Meanwhile, the 6-foot-5 and 250-pound Stewart has totaled six forced fumbles, 11 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss and 56 total tackles in 24 career games across his first two seasons in Columbia. Stewart is a former Five-Star Plus+ signee in the 2024 recruiting class as the nation’s No. 3 EDGE rusher and No. 17 overall player, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

“They’re extremely excited about what this team could be in 2026, and they’re a big part of that. There’s no question,” Beamer said on National Signing Day earlier this month. “I know there’s no sense of, ‘I’m not really sure South Carolina’s where I want to be.’ It’s them making the best decisions for them and their families and their futures.”

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Alabama football: Parker Brailsford spreads cheer, DeBoer talks Indiana

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

DeBoer spent one year as Tom Allen’s offensive coordinator, helping Indiana reach its first Florida-based January bowl game (at a time when that still carried greater meaning) in 2019.

And Cignetti spent four years as part of Nick Saban’s first Alabama staff, coaching wide receivers and coordinating recruiting for the program Cignetti eventually helped win a national championship.

But they’ve both distinguished themselves in their profession through their willingness to climb the coaching pyramid: From outside Division I, through lower levels as either a head coach or coordinator, all the way up to the sport’s biggest stage.

“Knowing coach Cignetti and — you referred to it — his path, nothing but respect for how he’s done it, how he’s gotten to this spot,” DeBoer said.

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Surprising List Of Colorado Buffaloes’ Biggest NIL Valuations

Published

4 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Colorado Buffaloes are facing a mass exodus through the NCAA Transfer Portal. One reason that players enter the portal in the current college football landscape is due to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.

The current Colorado Buffaloes players with the highest NIL Valuation according to On3 are notable when evaluating who will be on the team next season.

Colorado Buffaloes NIL Julian Lewis Jordan Seaton Tawfiq Byard Deion Sanders Coach Prime Transfer Portal College Football — Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks the sidelines as his team takes on the ASU Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Colorado Players With Highest NIL Valuation

Jordan Seaton: $1.7M
Julian Lewis: $1.1M
Omarion Miller: $570K
Jehiem Oatis: $390K
Tawfiq Byard: $358K
Dre’lon Miller: $321K
Noah King: $315K
Christian Hudson: $312K
Carde Smith: $311K
Zarian McGill: $119K

NIL valuations are not how much players are earning, but On3’s way of measuring a player’s projected annual value. It combines roster value and NIL value.

One of the most significant aspects of the top 10 Colorado players is that only two are set to return to the team in 2026: offensive tackle Jordan Seaton and quarterback Julian Lewis. Offensive lineman Zarian McGill is also in the top 10, but is headed to the NFL in 2026.

The remainder of the top 10 in NIL valuation have announced their intention to enter the portal. With the number of players set to leave the team, the Buffaloes will lose several highly valued players.

MORE: Deion Sanders Reportedly Hires Familiar Name As Colorado Running Backs Coach

MORE: Why Shedeur Sanders Will Bounce Back From Late-Season Struggles

MORE: Insider Reveals Biggest Reason Behind Colorado’s Transfer Portal Mass Exodus

Jordan Seaton Highest NIL Valuation On Colorado

Seaton has the highest NIL valuation and is one of the most critical players on the Buffaloes. Seaton has been with the program for two years, both of which have been dominant. He missed three games due to a foot injury, but allowed just two sacks and five quarterback hurries over 328 pass protection snaps.

Seaton will be entering his third year with the program, which will likely be his last, as he could declare for the NFL draft after the 2026 season.

After a 3-9 season, it was possible Seaton would enter the portal, but he is expected to return to the Buffaloes in 2026. Seaton will play a prominent role in Colorado’s offense next season, with Lewis set to be the team’s week 1 starter. As Colorado looks to take a step forward, having an elite player on the offensive line who is also a veteran on the team will be crucial.

Julian Lewis Ready To Lead The Buffaloes

Lewis is preparing for a big year with the Buffaloes after developing throughout the 2025 season. He was a big pickup in the 2025 recruiting class, initially committed to the USC Trojans before flipping to Colorado.

Lewis started in three games this season, his first being against the West Virginia Mountaineers on Nov. 8. Colorado coach Deion Sanders decided to redshirt Lewis, which meant the quarterback did not play in the final game of the season.

“I’ve made a decision that JuJu is going to redshirt,” Sanders told the media when announcing the decision. “That’s my decision. I want what’s best for the kid, what’s best for his family, what’s best for this wonderful university that has given me the tremendous opportunity and given him the opportunity. I think for the program, it’s best for everyone, but mainly it’s great for him.”

Lewis passed for 589 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Buffaloes hired offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who helped turn programs around by fixing the offense. With Marion and Seaton’s return, Lewis is set up for success in 2026 and beyond.

Though four games are a small sample size, the young quarterback has a high ceiling. He made some big throws, and with Marion, Lewis has the chance to take off in 2026.

Biff Poggi should no longer be considered for Michigan’s HC job

Published

5 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Michigan will play in one final football game in 2025, as the Wolverines will take on the Texas Longhorns in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve (3 p.m., ABC).

The team will be without at least three players, as Derrick Moore, Jaishawn Barham and Giovanni El-Hadi are all skipping the game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Speaking to the media on Monday, interim head coach Biff Poggi didn’t think anyone else on the team would opt out of the game. However, his tune changed quite a bit just two days later, as he speculated on a Texas-based podcast called “The Stampede” that he may be down even more guys than that.

Players on the team were sent home to be with family for Christmas earlier this week, but Poggi doesn’t know how many of those players will come back on Friday when the team is slated to leave for Orlando.

“I think there’s a really good chance that we’re going to have many more opt outs for the game, unfortunately, because we’re in such a stat of flux,” Poggi said. “And when they get to the business side of it, they think, ‘Well, we don’t have a coach,’ or, ‘We’ve had this situation with our former coach, there’s investigations and all these things, I don’t know who’s going to coach me. Why do I want to play in that game?’ So I can see some of that happening, too. And I would tell you on (December) 26th, we’re probably going to have a significantly different roster than we had yesterday when we sent them home.”

Poggi also mentioned how he thinks “most of the guys opting out need to play … they need the film, and they need to play well,” and that “team the way you and I knew it is gone now. And now it is strictly a financial and a business decision, and the head coach and the position coaches really are not players in that discussion.”

In other words, the decisions the players are making are based on what their families and agent are telling them, and they are not consulting with their coaches one bit. And in other words — players are doing what’s in their best interest.

As a former hedge fund manager, Poggi should understand risk management and trying to generate the best returns possible. That’s why Poggi said he doesn’t want to “be the guy that talks them into (playing a bowl game), and then something happens.” So while he understands why the players are doing what they are doing, he isn’t exactly onboard with how the decisions are being made.

There’s a lot to digest in this podcast, and I think the main takeaway for me is that Poggi is not made to be a head coach in college football. And that’s fine — he’s been very successful and has made a lot of money doing other things. And if he wants to continue making an impact in the lives of young adults, he can still do that, but he should by no means be doing that in the position of head coach at the University of Michigan.

And if you need one more quote as far as why Poggi should not be considered any longer for this position — and this is a real quote, by the way — here you go:

“I would ask one thing, and I’m being very serious — you need to pray for us,” Poggi said. “Because we are going through things that no young kid should have to go through … just when you hit your knees tonight, you don’t have to pray that we win, I know that ain’t gonna happen, just pray that the good lord will give me the right wisdom to do this the way it needs to be done.”

Update: Some people are interpreting this as Biff saying he knows the Texas podcasters wouldn’t pray for Michigan since they’re playing in the bowl game, while others are interpreting it as Biff saying they won’t win the game. If he meant the former, I do sincerely apologize, but the way I initially interpreted it while listening to the podcast, it sounded like he was saying the latter, especially given other comments he’s made about how he was hoping to not play against Texas because they’re a good team.

With it being the holiday season, Coach Poggi, I will give you what you are requesting and I will pray for you and the players to get through this. You’re right — no young person should have to endure the things that they have endured over the last couple weeks. I can’t imagine being in college and having all that happen at once.

However, to go on an opponent’s podcast and air Michigan’s dirty laundry publicly is not something an interim head coach should be doing. Whether you realize it or not, you have given the players that are on the fence a reason to not come back for the bowl game (and beyond that).

If this podcast appearance didn’t eliminate Biff from consideration, I don’t know what will. But under no circumstances should he be legitimately be considered for this job any longer.

Merry Christmas, and thank God for Dusty May, Kim Barnes Arico and Brandon Naurato.

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