Deion Sanders Gains Support for NFL-Style College Spring Games

Why this matters: This proposed change could significantly alter the landscape of college football's offseason, offering more competitive preparation but also introducing new challenges related to player movement and roster management.

College football spring games have traditionally been intrasquad scrimmages, serving as a culmination of spring practice. However, their format and relevance have been questioned, with some programs altering or canceling them due to concerns about monotony, injury risk, and potential scouting by rivals looking to poach players via the transfer portal.

Deion Sanders' idea, publicly floated and quickly supported by Syracuse coach Fran Brown, seeks to inject more value and excitement into the spring period. By adopting an NFL-like model—where teams practice together for several days before playing an exhibition game—colleges could gain a more realistic assessment of their players against different schemes and talent. This aligns with views expressed by coaches like Matt Rhule, who found NFL joint practices beneficial.

The push gains further relevance with anticipated FBS roster limits potentially shrinking to 105 players. Joint practices could help manage player workload and reduce wear and tear compared to constantly practicing against teammates, as noted by AFCA's Craig Bohl. Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy even suggested using such a format to temporarily revive the Bedlam rivalry with Oklahoma for fan engagement and potentially generating NIL revenue.

However, the primary hurdle remains NCAA bylaws, which currently prohibit teams from playing against other schools in the spring. Colorado is reportedly working with the NCAA and the Big 12 to explore possibilities. Concerns about facilitating player tampering remain a significant counterargument, as coaches worry about exposing their rosters to direct evaluation by potential poachers.

What is Deion Sanders proposing for spring football?

He proposes replacing traditional single-team spring scrimmages with joint practices and an exhibition game against another university, similar to the NFL's preseason structure.

Why is this idea gaining support?

Coaches see potential for better player evaluation, more engaging fan experiences, and a way to manage player workload, especially with expected roster size reductions.

What are the main obstacles or concerns?

Current NCAA rules forbid spring games against other schools, and there are significant concerns about increased opportunities for player tampering and poaching through the transfer portal.

This potential shift represents a significant change from decades of tradition in college football.

*Do you think adopting an NFL-style spring scrimmage format is a good idea for college football? Let us know your thoughts below!*