Best Of

Yes, and I didn't think Eric Stokes & Javon Bullard would amount to anything either. Bullard started contributing almost immediately.

I may be wrong, but I believe they have to be employees of the school for the contracts to be enforceable - which would be different "can of worms" for the university (expenses/insurance etc.).

I agree with Kirby's "package" approach, versus depending on being biggest payer. I know comparing college football to the traditional business world is a bit apples to oranges, but companies with very competitive (but not necessarily top) salaries PLUS an incredible culture that is fun and you can be proud of PLUS an environment where you can truly learn and grow are able to out-recruit companies that don't emphasize the former two elements and are all about the money (especially with young talent). In fact, A-players are looking for and expecting that combo. The only caveat is the vast majority will never play pro ball, so this is their only chance to make money playing football before they change careers. But I think the overall philosophy still holds. Go Dawgs!

Why do we even have scholarships anymore? What's the point of them since all the players are basically getting paid to play now and can easily afford tuition and room and board.

Are these NIL deals a binding contract? If they are not, they should be. I believe an NIL contract should contain deliverables from the athlete and protections for the schools' investment. If an athlete wants out of their contract to transfer to another school, he should have to navigate the provisions of the contract for doing so. If an athlete can simply collect a check, wait for the next TP window, and move on to the next highest bidder without consequence, that's not sustainable and has to change.

Most of these kids will never even crack the door to the NFL but if they are really good HS players then some college team will offer them the chance of a lifetime to earn a really good 4 yr. slary and a free education. A kid may very well grow up wanting to play for his in state school but they get a better job offer somewhere else(NIL) . Say, 4 years@150K vs. 4 years @200K . Do the math! 200K difference! You'll have a hard time convincing mom, dad, or whomever to forfeit that to stay in state for sentimental reasons. ANd with the elite players the differences in a NIL deal between schools competing for his services could add up to millions over 3-4 years.

I think the great equalizer over amassing 4 and 5 star recruits is having a roster full of experienced older players(Indiana this year and Michhigan a couple of years ago).who maybe were a lower star when they came out of HS but have gained 2-3 years of playing experience in college and have more of a track record and won't need to sit through 1-2 years on the bench in order to be able to contribute.

Someone said the average age of Indiana players this season was 23. Picture a 19-20 year old OL versus a 23 year old DL! Yikes! SB was 24 and 25 when he led UGA to back to back NC'S! No way he does that at 19-20.

JS did an excellent article a little while ago about UGA and retaining our young players and it's only somehwere around 30% the past few years. So, despite Kirby's best efforts to preach team chemistry(culture) and developing, 7 out of 10 players don't see it that way, they leave for what they perceive as either more money, or more playing time, or both.

I wish it was different.

I understand where Kirby is coming from, I really do. I also can say I don’t totally disagree with his philosophy. The reality is that NIL is with college football to stay. Maybe at some point a little more sanity will be brought to bear on it. But, when one schools waves say, $300k at a kid and another school doubles it to $600k, that’s very hard for a young person to turn down knowing they can help a family member that has supported them through all the years of their development up until and through high school. Let’s be honest. We know a lot of these young men grew up with a lot less than some others. Loyalty to a school, as was more the norm in Kirby’s time, is a bygone era and will never get back to that same degree. Coach Saban saw the handwriting on the wall and retired because of it. Yes college coaches have huge million dollar salaries these days but I wouldn’t want to have to navigate the waters they have to in order to manage a roster. I trust CKS will lead the Dawgs through this but man, how do these coaches ever get any sleep. Go Dawgs!