The Dark Side of College Football’s New Era
Beneath the glamorous exterior of college football lies a harsh reality — inequality is deeply embedded in the sport. The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal has only intensified the gap between powerhouse programs and smaller schools. Players now have the freedom to leave programs at will, leaving some schools struggling to fill rosters. Meanwhile, top-tier programs can use their financial resources to lure away talent nurtured by smaller schools, further consolidating power at the top.
Tampering — the act of illegally contacting players under scholarship at other schools — has become a common practice across the sport, so much so that it’s now considered standard. Recently, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his program have come under fire for allegedly participating in such behavior, despite Sarkisian’s public complaints about the issue.
The Growing Controversy Over Spring Games
Among the unique traditions in college football, spring games have long been a staple. They allow fans to preview their teams, bond with fellow supporters, and build excitement for the upcoming season. However, a growing number of coaches are pushing to end these games, blaming them for facilitating tampering. These showcase events — held just before the transfer portal reopens — are seen by some as prime opportunities for outside programs to make contact with players.
As a result, schools like Texas and Nebraska have opted to cancel their spring games this year. Yet, according to college football insider Blake Ruffino, this stance from Sarkisian is laced with hypocrisy. Speaking on “The Ruffino & Joe Show,” Ruffino revealed that Texas coaches themselves have been involved in tampering, even visiting the campuses of rival programs like LSU. Ruffino claimed Texas staff had direct contact with players they once recruited, despite Sarkisian’s public opposition to tampering.
Sarkisian’s stated reason for skipping the spring game was to avoid exposing his roster to outside interference — but Ruffino argued that Texas’ own actions contradict that message. In Ruffino’s words, “Look at your own staff.”
The Endangered Tradition of Spring Football
Spring football has always served as a bridge between the end of one season and the start of the next, giving fans a much-needed taste of their team’s future. Fifteen practices — only two of them non-contact — capped off with an inter-squad scrimmage, offered fans an up-close look at new recruits and rising stars. This chance to connect with the team is now under threat, leaving fans frustrated.
Sarkisian’s comments, while inflammatory, are just part of a larger debate about the future of spring football and the unchecked nature of tampering in college football. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney also weighed in, saying his program will continue to hold a spring game, arguing that eliminating it won’t fix the larger problem. Swinney acknowledged that tampering is real but insisted it requires far more than canceling spring games to address.
The Bigger Picture
Ultimately, the sport’s current landscape rewards programs willing to bend or break the rules. Until stricter penalties are introduced, the biggest programs will continue to use their power and money to dominate the sport. For now, fans may have to accept that traditions like spring football could become casualties in the ongoing struggle for competitive advantage.
As for Sarkisian and Texas, given how widespread tampering has become, any specific accusations against them may eventually be forgotten. But the conversation about fairness — and how much fans and programs are willing to sacrifice — is far from over.