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The future of college football spring games is uncertain with era of NIL tampering

Published

1 month ago

April 25, 2025

The future of college football spring games is uncertain with era of NIL tampering

While college football adopted offseason workouts not long after Rutgers beat Princeton — Harvard claims to have conducted the first out-of-season practice on March 14, 1889 — the spring game truly flourished this century, as programs began to stage largescale recruiting spectacles around what had evolved into one of the tentpole events on the sport’s annual calendar.Steadily, the traditional end-of-spring scrimmage began to adopt a far less essential on-field purpose. One contributing factor was the increase in overall interest in these showcases. In response to ESPN and conference-branded networks starting to broadcast dozens of games every spring, many programs opted for an overly narrow glimpse at personnel and the playbook so as not to provide any insight for opponents on that season’s schedule.That represented a deviation from the spring game’s original intent: to provide a game-like atmosphere as a way to evaluate a larger roster and specific position-by-position competitions.Now, amid similar concerns stemming from dramatic changes to the NCAA model, spring games are approaching the territory of leather helmets, wishbone offenses and the four-team playoff — former college football hallmarks that have drifted into antiquity. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (10) drops back to pass during the team's spring game at Ohio Stadium on April 12, 2025. “What I think is happening with spring games is a consequence of what is happening in college football in general,” said Baylor coach Dave Aranda.

Conventional spring games have gone from a luxury to a liability because of NIL and the transfer portal, which have combined to turn roster management and retention into a free-for-all frenzy. With very little to gain but much to lose by mirroring a realistic game-day environment, many coaches who once embraced the positives of the spring showcase have shifted toward a closed-door approach as a way to combat widespread player movement.

“There’s more potential downside than upside for us,” said SMU coach Rhett Lashlee.Said Illinois coach Bret Bielema, “I always worry about outside voices. I’m not oblivious to the fact that our guys were probably contacted by college programs that want their services.”Twenty-five Power Four teams have decided against the traditional spring scrimmage, including nearly half of the Big Ten. Among the programs opting for something more closely resembling a practice-like setting are Nebraska, Florida State, Southern California, Oklahoma, LSU and Texas.The reasoning is simple: Coaches and programs have become openly wary of having their rosters poached by teams that see potential contributors on tape and, because of NIL enticements and the ease of the portal, have the wherewithal to sway players through unofficial channels.“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “It’s just an absolute free, open, common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, ‘He looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’“Honestly, to me, it’s about protecting the roster and protecting through that portal period.”

This weekend is the final weekend where a significant portion of the Power Four schools will wrap up spring practice and look toward offseason preparations.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said the Longhorns will conduct NFL-style training sessions in lieu of a normal game. Arizona State is more focused on situational gameplay such as red-zone offense, coach Kenny Dillingham said. Nebraska will hold skills competitions and 7-on-7 games involving current and former players, among other events, and then a scrimmage featuring backup players battling for spots on the Cornhuskers’ roster.

Concerns that holding a spring game could influence roster makeup isn’t reserved for the Power Four. While major-conference teams might worry about the loss of depth and young talent not quite ready for larger roles, those on the Group of Five fear that starting-caliber players could be lured away by programs with much deeper pockets and ample NIL offerings.

“My primary intent is both to protect and retain our current roster and to keep our schemes and strategies unknown from our opponents for as long as possible,” Utah State coach Bronco Mendenhall said in announcing the Aggies will not hold a spring game and will close all spring practices to the public.

Overall, thousands of players have entered the portal since the first transfer window opened in December. The spring window closes on Friday, though players are only required to enter the portal during this period in order to be immediately eligible this season.

Canceling these spring games may have a minimal impact on the overwhelming amount of roster turnover every Bowl Subdivision program has encountered since the portal and NIL legislation went into effect earlier this decade.

“Listen, whether you have a spring game or not, it’s going to be tampering,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.

A largely unregulated landscape has been intensified by the potentially seven-figure payouts handed out to college football’s best players at key positions such as quarterback, to the point where even starters at high-profile programs are evaluating their options in advance of the expected House settlement that will set an annual cap on athletics department spending on NIL.

In the most glaring example, former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava decided to transfer this month amid a dispute over his NIL contract. But Iamaleava’s departure for UCLA came before the Volunteers’ spring game; there was already plenty of tape establishing the sophomore as one of the most promising young passers in the FBS.

“People are going to tamper with our players whether we like it or not,” Sarkisian said. “That’s fine. Hopefully, we’ve built a culture and they believe in the development of the other guys before them in the program and feel this is the best place for them.”

Yet many programs have stayed the course and closed spring drills with an intrasquad scrimmage, accepting the tradeoff between the clear positives behind conducting a game-like setting — player development and the chance to evaluate the competition for a starring role — and the potential fallout of losing players into the portal.

“We have enough players that will benefit from the work that we think that offsets any of the other implications,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “You can’t be scared to do everything. We have to get guys better. That’s our number one objective.”

Even as these holdouts cling to tradition, the concept of a realistic, game-like scrimmage to close spring practices seems destined to be replaced by either modified jamborees or, as with the Longhorns, types of offseason training sessions designed to maximize development away from prying eyes.

One option raised this spring by Colorado coach Deion Sanders was a controlled scrimmage between two teams, which would mirror the NFL model. While Sanders’ call for an opponent was answered by Syracuse coach Fran Brown, the waiver was denied by the FBS oversight committee.

“Under current NCAA Bylaws, teams cannot play another school in the spring,” an NCAA spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports.

With no ready solution for balancing the need for development with the chance of largescale player movement, traditional spring games face an increasingly high likelihood of being erased from the college football schedule.

“To each his own,” said Florida coach Billy Napier. “I’m either going to have coaches tampering with my players, or I’m going to have a fanbase that’s pissed off at not having a spring game. It’s pick your poison.”

NIL

What Does an NCAA Championship Mean for the Florida Gators?

Last Updated on June 3, 2025 The Florida Gators men’s basketball team that represents the University of Florida recently won its third NCAA championship title and the first title in 18 years. Let’s dive straight in and take a closer look at how this latest victory may be the start of a new era for […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Last Updated on June 3, 2025

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team that represents the University of Florida recently won its third NCAA championship title and the first title in 18 years. Let’s dive straight in and take a closer look at how this latest victory may be the start of a new era for the Gators.

A look at the Gators’ path to victory

In their final six games of the season, the Florida Gators put on some impressive performances. They beat Norfolk State 95-16 on March 21 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In the second round, they beat UConn 77-75, and both games were in front of a home crowd.

In the Sweet 16 round, they also played at home, this time beating Maryland 87-71. Their Elite Eight game against Texas Tech was also at home, which they won 84-79, and then they travelled away for their next game.

In the Final Four game against Auburn, they won 79-73, and then in their final game of the season in the NCAA Tournament Championship final on April 8, they just managed to secure a tight-margin victory against Houston, winning 65-63.

What does the latest NCAA championship title mean for the Gators?

Their latest 65-63 win against Houston in the final on Tuesday, April 8, means that the Florida Gators have entered a new era. If they win again next season, they will replicate the success of the team from almost twenty years ago, when they won the NCAA Championship title in 2006 and then again in 2007.

Can they repeat history? Only time will tell. According to the latest theoretical odds, the Gators are already shaping up to be one of the favourites to win again next season.

For example, if you look on trusted iGaming sites such as the official 10bet South Africa sportsbook and games website, you will soon be able to find outright seasonal betting odds for the 2025/26 NCAA season.

You will most likely see that the Florida Gators will be one of the odds-on favourites to win next year’s championship for a second consecutive season running.

However, anything can happen between now and the end of next season, so before placing any wagers on the NCAA, always do your research and pay attention to what the actual odds and implied probability rates are trying to convey.

The Florida Gators will use this time to strengthen their team, bringing in fresh new talent that will hopefully ensure victory next season. Key players this year, in no particular order of importance, were Oliver Rioux (center), Alex Condon (center), Walter Clayton Jr. (guard), Rueben Chinyelu (center), Will Richard (guard), Thomas Haugh (forward), and Denzel Aberdeen (guard).

That’s not forgetting to mention Urban Klavzar (guard), Bennett Andersen (guard), Kajus Kublickas (guard), and Alijah Marton (guard).

The final was played at the Alamodome in front of a capacity crowd of 66,602, and although the Cougars dominated the first half, the Gators quickly took control after mounting an impressive comeback.

Walter Clayton Jr. was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Match, and 39-year-old Gators coach Todd Golden became the NCAA’s youngest-ever coach to win the championship title since 1982, when Jim Valvano of North Carolina State received the same honor.

The Gators will now be looking to next season and retooling to ensure they get off to a flying start in the Southeastern division. However, it’s still too early to say what the team might look like next season.

If the Gators can win again next season, they will equal Kansas with four titles. Kansas last won in 2022, and they also won in 2008, 1988, and 1952. However, the Gators still have a long way to go before they can call themselves true greats like UCLA.

UCLA has won more NCAA Championship titles than any other university. They have lifted the trophy on 11 separate occasions, followed by Kentucky with 8 titles, North Carolina and UConn, both with 6 titles, and Duke and Indiana with 5 titles.

Final thoughts

To find out how the Gators might do next season, the best thing to do is to stay on top of the latest NCAA men’s basketball news from reputable sources. Conducting your own research and keeping well-informed can also help you place far more strategic bets.

For example, gather as much relevant data and statistics as possible. Find out which new players are in and which ones have left. Stay on top of the latest injury news, current table position/league standing, importance of the match, and things like historical results between the two teams when they typically face each other.

Finally, if you decide to bet on college basketball, remember to stick to betting on legally permitted sites like 10Bet, which are well known for having highly competitive NCAA betting odds.

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SMU reportedly adds fast rising former Texas high school coordinator to staff

SMU has added a fast-rising former high school play caller to their support staff, according to a report today. Mike Roach of 247, shares that former North Texas staffer Matthew McHugh is now working on Rhett Lashlee’s staff at SMU. There, he is set to serve as director of player personnel, the report adds. A […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SMU has added a fast-rising former high school play caller to their support staff, according to a report today.

Mike Roach of 247, shares that former North Texas staffer Matthew McHugh is now working on Rhett Lashlee’s staff at SMU.

There, he is set to serve as director of player personnel, the report adds.

A former high school offensive coordinator in the state, McHugh spent time calling the offense at Crowley HS (TX) before taking a position on staff at North Texas, where he served as the Mean Green’s director of recruiting.

He joins a staff at SMU coming off an 11-3 debut season as an ACC member, where they lost to Clemson in a tight ACC title game. That was followed by a 38-10 loss to Penn State in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Despite the disappointment of the two losses to end last season, SMU has proven themselves an emerging program in the expanded college football playoff, and the Mustangs bring back their entire coaching staff ready for a chance to run it back in 2025.

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Florida high school football faces wave of transfers, sparking intense competition among schools

Florida high school football faces wave of transfers It’s a shift that’s shaking up the high school football scene. Top high school football players in Florida are increasingly transferring to schools in pursuit of better exposure, competition, and future opportunities. SANFORD, Fla. – It’s a shift that’s shaking up the high school football scene. Top […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Florida high school football faces wave of transfers

It’s a shift that’s shaking up the high school football scene. Top high school football players in Florida are increasingly transferring to schools in pursuit of better exposure, competition, and future opportunities.

SANFORD, Fla. – It’s a shift that’s shaking up the high school football scene. Top high school football players in Florida are increasingly transferring to schools in pursuit of better exposure, competition, and future opportunities.

What we know:

Top players are changing jerseys in search of bigger opportunities.

Seminole High School quarterback Michael Clayton II, already committed to the University of Illinois, is the latest to make a high-profile move — transferring to Miami Edison for his senior season. This trend reflects the growing influence of school choice policies and lenient FHSAA transfer rules, which allow athletes to switch schools with few limitations.

What we don’t know:

It remains unclear how this increase in player movement will affect team cohesion, player development, and long-term academic outcomes. There’s also uncertainty around whether future policy changes may limit such transfers, and how coaches will continue to adapt as mobility becomes a dominant factor in high school sports.

The backstory:

Florida’s school choice policies have expanded in recent years, allowing students to attend any public school with available space, regardless of district. This has opened the door for student-athletes to choose schools based on athletic opportunities rather than residency. For football players, the goal is often to gain more playing time, better coaching, or greater visibility to college recruiters.

What they’re saying:

The high school football landscape is increasingly mirroring the dynamics of college football, where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and transfer portals have revolutionized player movement.

Some athletes transfer multiple times before graduation, reflecting a broader shift in priorities toward individual branding and competitive advantage.

“It’s gone from, you grew up in a school district, and you had to go to a school. Now with school choice, you can go to any school as long as there are seats available in that school,” Influencer Counsel Athlete Agent and Financial Advisor Dan LaForest told FOX 35 Sports.

Some athletes transfer multiple times during their high school careers.

It’s a move that makes long-term development difficult. However, with current FHSAA rules, players can move schools with little restriction.

“It’s tough on a high school coach. They have to create an environment that kids want to play. It’s not x’s and o’s anymore. I think x’s and o’s are a piece of it,” LaForest said.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:

The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Florida High School Athletic Association, and Influencer Counsel Athlete Agent and Financial Advisor Dan LaForest.

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Vanderbilt baseball news

The Vanderbilt baseball team is one of the biggest powerhouse programs in the entire country, and that showed during the regular season and SEC Tournament this year. However, after earning the top seed in the NCAA Tournament and hosting a regional, the Commodores season ended at the hands at Wright State. Now, Vanderbilt is losing […]

Published

4 hours ago

June 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

“NEW: Vanderbilt INF Jayden Davis has entered the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos_ reports,” Transfer Portal said in a post. “Davis has slashed .321 with 80 RBIs in his career.”

Jayden Davis and Vanderbilt did not win the SEC regular season title this season, but the Commodores did win the SEC Tournament. The team came into the NCAA Tournament with a lot of momentum after that, and Vanderbilt earned the top overall seed. The Commodores hosted a regional that also featured Louisville, ETSU and Wright State.

Vanderbilt got the weekend started with a win against Wright State, but after losing to Louisville in Game 2, the Commodores had to play Wright State again in an elimination game. Vanderbilt wasn’t able to get the win this time around, and the top team in the tournament was eliminated. Louisville ended up advancing out of the regional to the Super Regional round.

Article Continues Below

Now, Vanderbilt is done, and Jayden Davis is in the transfer portal. Davis has been with the Commodores for two seasons as he started his college career at Samford before transferring. He had a huge first year with Vanderbilt as he finished the season hitting .315, and he also had 36 RBIs and two home runs.

This past season wasn’t as good for Davis. He had 64 at bats and went 13-64 for a .203 batting average. He had just six RBIs and one home run. Still, he has a career BA of .321. He certainly took a step back, but who knows, maybe a change of scenery and a fresh start is exactly what he needs.

After a great regular season, this season did not end how the Vanderbilt baseball team wanted. An early exit in the NCAA Tournament is never fun, and now the Commodores have now lost a key player to the transfer portal.

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Report: North Carolina men’s basketball NIL payroll tops $14 million

Last season, Hubert Davis made it clear changes would be coming at North Carolina. He promised to hire a general manager to help the program in the NIL and transfer portal landscape, and those investments are becoming clear. UNC’s NIL payroll is more than $14 million this year, according to a report from Inside Carolina. […]

Published

4 hours ago

June 4, 2025

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Last season, Hubert Davis made it clear changes would be coming at North Carolina. He promised to hire a general manager to help the program in the NIL and transfer portal landscape, and those investments are becoming clear.

UNC’s NIL payroll is more than $14 million this year, according to a report from Inside Carolina. It’s part of the influx in support after the hiring of Jim Tanner as general manager and is almost triple the dollars from a year ago when the Tar Heels were the last team in the NCAA Tournament.

Tanner’s contract pays him $850,000 this year, according to the UNC salary information database. Additionally, the total compensation for the staff could be upward of $7 million, the report said. Davis also received a two-year contract extension after last season as the university started to invest in the program.

Davis was outspoken about North Carolina’s need to adapt in the changing landscape. General manager hires have become prominent across college sports, and Tanner’s NBA connections and experience as an agent are also important parts of the role. It also fits what Davis was looking for in the position.

“The old model for Carolina basketball just doesn’t work,” Davis said in February. “It’s not sustainable. It has to build out because there’s so many things in play with NIL, the transfer portal, agents, international players. You just need a bigger staff to be able to maintain things. You need a bigger staff so I can do what I’m supposed to be doing, and that’s coaching basketball.”

North Carolina will have a slew of new faces in town next season, fueled by the No. 15-ranked recruiting class in the country, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. Five Star Plus+ forward Caleb Wilson headlines the group as the No. 5 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On the transfer front, the Tar Heels have five players coming in, led by former Arizona forward Henri Veesaar – the No. 25 overall player in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. UNC also recently landed a commitment from touted international guard Luka Bogavac as part of the roster overhaul.

North Carolina is coming off a 23-14 overall record in 2024-25 as it snuck into March Madness as the last team in the bracket. The Tar Heels won their First Four matchup against San Diego State before falling to Ole Miss in the first round.

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NiJaree Canady Leads Texas Tech to First-Ever Softball National Championship Final

Over the years, college softball has produced numerous legends that have gone on to make a name for themselves in the sport, from Jennie Finch to Jessica Mendoza and everyone in between. But in recent years, former Stanford star and current Texas Tech standout, NiJaree Canady, has entered the conversation with an impressive 2025 season […]

Published

4 hours ago

June 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

However, this week Canady got one step closer to reaching the pinnacle of college softball by leading Texas Tech to its first ever Softball National Championship Final with an upset win over the nation’s top team, Oklahoma. Getting the start, another dominant outing from Canady put the Red Raiders through and only two wins away from capturing the school’s first-ever softball title.

Canady pitched all seven innings, allowing five hits, two runs and a walk as she struck out eight Oklahoma batters. The only runs she gave up came in the seventh inning when she allowed a game-tying two-run home run, but thanks to a sacrifice fly from Texas Tech first baseman Lauren Allred, the Red Raiders regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning and were able take home the win.

Aside from that one homer, Canady was superb and even managed to strike out one of Oklahoma’s best hitters in shortstop Gabbi Garcia, three times. For the game, Canady threw 106 pitches and pitched her fifth consecutive complete game. At the plate though, Canady went 0-for-3 and left two runners on base.

With the Red Raiders are in the championship, Canady is needed now more than ever. Texas, a softball powerhouse, is in its second straight WCWS championship and their third in four years.

Having been one of the top teams in the nation since their first season as a program in 1997, Texas knows what it needs to do to win it all and after experiencing heartbreak during both of their championship appearances, this whole season has been about getting over the hump.

But Canady was brought to Texas Tech for this exact reason. A headlining player at Stanford, Canady received a record-breaking NIL deal for a softball player, ensuring that she would be the focal point for this year’s Texas Tech team.

The Red Raiders have a strong pitching staff that also includes Chloe Riassetto and Samantha Lincoln but when it comes to big game moments, Canady has been relied on to get things done.

The WCWS championship begins on Wednesday, June 4 and will take place at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, ending either on June 5 or June 6 depending on how the first two games play out. Each game will air on ESPN.

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