Steve Sarkisian has witnessed the transformation of college athletics firsthand during his time as head coach of the Texas Longhorns.
One of the most significant shifts has been the rise of the NIL deals and the transfer portal, trends that are reshaping the entire sport from top-to-bottom.
The latest example of this evolution is the shocking departure of Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a highly regarded player who left the program last weekend, a move that has sent shockwaves through the college football world.
After skipping practice last Friday and going off-the-grid when Tennessee coaches and staff tried to contact him, head coach Josh Heupel finally put his foot down and said enough was enough.
Of course, the drama stemmed from Iamaleava’s overplaying his hand in an attempted NIL renegotiation. Heupel made it clear that the program would not be strong-armed by any player, no matter how important that player thinks he is.
“Obviously, we’re moving forward as a program without him. I said it to the guys today. There’s no one that’s bigger than the Power T. That includes me,” Heupel said.
“This program has been around for a long time. There are a lot of great coaches, a lot of great players who came before that laid the cornerstone pieces, the legacy, the tradition that is Tennessee football.
“It’s going to be around a long time after I’m gone and after they’re gone.”
Sarkisian recently shared his thoughts after addressing Congress, offering insights into how NIL and the transfer portal are influencing the next generation of athletes.
Sarkisian emphasized his belief that players still desire to be student-athletes, rather than employees of their respective programs.
“I still feel that players want to be student athletes,” he said. “They don’t want to be employees… I got into this to help young men get degrees and/or achieve their dreams of playing pro.”
While many programs face challenges in managing the new dynamics of NIL and the transfer portal, Sarkisian has found himself in a relatively comfortable position with his own star quarterback, Arch Manning.
Manning has patiently waited behind Quinn Ewers for two seasons, avoiding any public controversy or dissatisfaction with his role.
With Ewers moving on, Manning is set to take the reins of the Texas offense in the upcoming season, and his ultra-strong commitment to the program speaks volumes.
Jeff Howe of On Texas Football highlighted Manning’s dedication to Texas, pointing out that the young quarterback’s decision to stick with the program despite speculation and rumors only strengthens his connection to the team.
“That, to me, that’s gonna be the one that’s printed on t-shirts, that’s gonna be on posters handed out in the stadium,” Howe said of Manning’s unwavering desire to stay with the Longhorns.
“That is a money-maker for the athletic department from a marketing standpoint. That, to me, says everything you need to know about Arch Manning and how he feels about this program.”
Howe also addressed the misconceptions surrounding Manning’s decision, noting that rumors had circulated about the player’s potential market value and his future plans. Despite the noise, Manning’s commitment to Texas has remained steadfast.
“There were so many rumors about Arch from people that literally had no idea what was going on behind the scenes,” Howe continued. “There’s been a lot of misconceptions, I think, about Arch and his ‘quote, unquote, market,’ even though there really hasn’t been a market.
“Arch wants to be here. That family didn’t make a decision half-cocked. He wants to be here. He wants to be the quarterback at Texas.”
As the college football landscape continues to shift, Sarkisian’s insights reflect the broader challenges facing coaches today, while Manning’s commitment underscores the enduring power of loyalty and tradition in the rapidly-changing world of college sports.
As for Iamaleava, he has officially entered the transfer portal. According to reports, two potential suitors – Tulane and North Carolina – have already taken their hats out of the ring.
UCLA is currently viewed as the favorite to land Nico, with USC and Colorado also being possibilities. (Dan Lanning wouldn’t look too great if Oregon got back in the running.)
What are your thoughts on Sarkisian’s comments? … More importantly, what are your thoughts on the overall Nico situation and the unprecedented fallout?
At the end of the day, where do you think he will end up???
