With the College Bowl season being over for the most part - just 2 games left including the final on Monday the 10th where Alabama and Georgia will decide which SEC school gets to hoist the trophy this season, there has been a lot of discussion about the credibility of the non-playoff bowls. This discussion seems to center around the issue of players "opting out" of these bowl games. On one side, the argument is why should a player risk an injury that could impact his future by playing in a game that doesnt mean anything. IF you were to go strictly by that definition then players for half of the SEC teams, 80% of the B1G, 90% of the ACC and all of the rest of the power 5 and Group of 5 schools should have all of their seniors opting out of EVERY game, as those schools have no real shot at the College Football Playoff. Ok, you say miracles can happen - then there should be no reason for a senior to play for a team after that team has suffered 2 losses in a season, as they are eliminated at that point. "Expand the playoff to include more teams" they say as that will make more bowl games meaningful, but the truth is they are having a difficult time finding 4 teams each season that are playoff worthy other than to polish the trophy for the eventual SEC team that wins it, expanding to 8 or 12 isn't going to change that, though it would probably give us a couple of more games where the teams care about playing than we currently have - so lets keep that as a possible benefit.
Another angle I have heard is to use money to incent the players to play in bowl games, but there is no way you will be able to come up with enough money to convince these "future stars" that it is worth risking their financial future - especially when most are already in debt to agents - who aren't going to risk the possibility of not getting paid back if a player is injured and doesn't get a big pay day from the NFL. And now that college players are allowed to earn money from NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) promotions - the top players are no longer desperate for pocket money (Ok , we know Ohio State players never were), so you are not going to have much leverage there either.
So, what is the answer - do we just let college football go the way of college basketball - where there are virtually NO STUDENT ATHLETES on the floor for the top college hoops programs, I sure hope not. What I am suggesting may seem radical or unthinkable - but it will be best for college football in the long run.
It starts by recognizing and respecting the value of the scholarship the college football player is offered. Do you realize the actual cost associated with 4 years of tuition, books, meal plans, housing and all of the other perks of playing for a college football team? and before anyone pushes back on scholarships not being guaranteed for four years - hear me out - the power 5 schools already require a four year guarantee for football scholarships - and the group of 5 needs to step up and do the same. Others will still argue that a coach can try to persuade a player into transferring or leaving his scholarship if he isn't performing up to expectations, I will tell you this is very rare and should be reported - and will usually be found to be more of a result of another problem such as off field behavior or class attendance, rather than on field performance - I know plenty of players who spent all 4 years on campus on scholarship and never set foot on the field during a game - but continued to work hard. Players should also realize that there are about 14,000 football players on scholarship at the Power 5 and Group of 5 levels and only 250 are getting drafted into the NFL each year - so a backup plan is not a bad idea, and a college degree and the networking that comes with it are a good start.
So now that we have shown the tremendous cost of a 4 year football scholarship not to mention the cost of travel and promotions - lets talk about the players responsibility. I suggest that if you accept a 4 year football scholarship - then you are on the hook to deliver as well. You should be required to participate in every game that your team is involved in including bowl games - every year that you are on scholarship - if you choose not to do that - then you would be required to repay the University for the cost of that one year of scholarship. If you are really going to make millions in the nfl that will be a drop in the bucket and the agent - "that you already have a secret agreement with" - will front you the money, if he really believes you have that kind of future let him put his money where his mouth is.
The next push back will be about Coaches making too much money and getting out of their contracts, and I do think there needs to be a rule that would require any coach leaving under contract to sit out a year before accepting a new job, there has to be away to put more teeth into those contracts - but really shouldn't be an issue - in the majority of jobs in this country people don't get to decide who their boss is and at the next level of football you certainly wont get to decide who your coach is (unless you are Tom Brady). The fact is - if you are good enough, the NFL will find you just look at how non-descript Tom Brady's college career was, and they found him. The Coaching Carousel needs to be slowed down but it shouldnt affect players on scholarship. Just look at all the star players of the last 50 years who played for multiple coaches at the same school, that list is endless.
So, what about the kid who just wants to get to the NFL and is not interested in being a STUDENT ATHLETE - that is his option and he should be allowed to do that - Some day someone will topple the NFL rule about not being able to play until 3 years after high school, that is crazy and isn't required for any other line of work, just a way for the NFL to avoid development costs - which they currently get for free from the Colleges. I understand that 99% of the kids are not ready physically for the NFL at age 17 or 18 - but they are allowed to play in Canada - a league that would allow them get paid while they sharpen their skills and grow into NFL bodies. I really think the NFL should be required to pay for their own developmental league - they could get cost sharing from the equipment companies - and develop their own talent like baseball does. But for now Canada is a viable and good option for a future NFL player who has no interest in being a STUDENT ATHLETE.
If my suggestions were to be accepted -
1. All scholarships guaranteed 4 years
2. Players must reimburse the School for any year of a scholarship they choose to sit out a game.
3. High School players need to be made aware of the opportunity to get paid while developing their skills in Canada or hopefully the NFL and equipment companies will start a developmental league for NON STUDENT ATHLETES to work in prior to getting drafted.
I am not blind to the fact that many of the top players would and should choose to bypass College football altogether, and that is OK! - The colleges will still find many REAL STUDENT ATHLETES ready and willing to be a part of their program and of course the better programs will continue to get the better recruits - but at least they will be REAL STUDENT ATHLETES - willing to play for the love of competition and the pride of their school. The quality of play may not be as spectacular - but that will be across the board - and the money (television) will still follow the school as most people are rooting for the name on the front of the jersey not the name on the back.
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