Jerome Bettis Critiques NIL Impact on College Football as Son Joins Notre Dame

Jerome Bettis, former NFL player, expresses strong concerns about the current state of college football, particularly focusing on the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals as his son, Jerome Bettis Jr., joins the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Bettis argues that money has become too central to players’ college choices, overshadowing education and commitment to the sport. He criticizes the “free agency” atmosphere created by NIL and the transfer portal, warning that frequent transfers could jeopardize student-athletes’ educational opportunities. Despite his concerns, Bettis acknowledges the promising quarterback competition at Notre Dame, praising the program for fostering homegrown talent instead of relying on transfers.

By the Numbers

• Jerome Bettis Jr. is a 3-star true freshman joining Notre Dame.
• The 2025 recruiting class is expected to face a competitive NIL environment.

State of Play

• Notre Dame features a healthy quarterback competition between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey.
• The team aims to develop talent internally instead of heavily relying on transfer players.

What’s Next

The Fighting Irish will need to finalize their starting quarterback soon, setting the tone for their offensive strategy as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

As the college football landscape evolves with NIL, it’s crucial for student-athletes to prioritize their education, and for programs to cultivate talent organically to enhance team culture and longevity.