As everyone knows, we have entered a brand-new era of college football.
Between conference realignment, NIL and the transfer portal, college football is in a crazier place than it’s ever been.
We all know guardrails need to be put in place. It’s inexplicable that they aren’t already. But hopefully soon there will be proper rules, structure and downright common sense that will take over.
The intentions of implementing NIL were good. After all, players make a fortune for their programs and universities, so it’s only fair that they’re able to be compensated.
However, the reality is NIL is being used as a bidding tool in many ways.
The current system resembles free agency and programs are flat-out trying to buy high school recruits and transfers … It’s a terrible structure.
Coaches have been forced to “play the game.” … Although, some (Nick Saban) have chosen to retire rather than having to deal with all of the nonsense any further.
This is where we turn our attention to LSU head coach Brian Kelly…
Love him or hate him, the fact of the matter is Kelly is a hell of a football coach. He’s won everywhere he’s been and is unquestionably one of the top recruiters and strategists in the country.
Interestingly, Kelly has drawn a line in the sand and made it clear that LSU is not interested in players who don’t have their priorities in order.
While stating that he’s in favor of players getting paid, Kelly also added that LSU is “not in the market of buying players.”
“Unfortunately, right now, that’s what some guys are looking for,” Kelly added, noting that there are plenty of top recruits who prioritize money over winning and developing as a player.
There were some people in the college football world who didn’t love Kelly’s comments and thought they could potentially hurt LSU’s program and recruiting efforts.
Andy Staples of On3 was one of those people…
“Brian Kelly could have said the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze – and he might have been right – but instead, the LSU coach trotted out a line that gets you roasted in 2024,” Staples remarked.
However, the context of Kelly’s remarks offers a more nuanced perspective.
In elaborating on his stance, Kelly emphasized the value of integrity in recruitment.
“They want to be bought,” Kelly explained, acknowledging the influence of Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities in modern college athletics.
He highlighted the abundance of such opportunities in the Baton Rouge area but emphasized that LSU would not engage in what he sees as mercenary recruitment tactics.
“We will develop you, we will get you ready for the next step… but if you’re just looking to get paid, you’re looking in the wrong place,” Kelly firmly stated.
In many ways, he sounds like the Dan Hurley of college football.
Kelly’s assertion that LSU will not “buy” players but instead invest in their development resonates with his vision for the program.
He reiterated LSU’s appeal as a championship-caliber program with a passionate fanbase and ample NIL opportunities, framing his approach to recruitment within a broader context of values and priorities.
“If you like all the things that we do here in developing our players, bringing you into a championship program, playing in front of the best fanbase in America, playing for championships and having an opportunity for NIL, you should be a Tiger,” he said.
“But if you just want to get paid, this is not the place for you…”
What are your thoughts on Kelly’s comments?
Do you think he’s being genuine?
In the bigger picture, what are your thoughts on NIL as a whole?
What type of guardrails need to be put in place before this whole thing really goes off the tracks???