Lately, spring games have become quite the hot topic during the offseasons in college football. These games, instead of just stirring excitement, seem to be causing quite a bit of frustration among head coaches.
You might wonder why this is happening.
The answer, though a tad controversial, is fairly straightforward. Traditionally, spring games were all about engaging with fans and giving younger team members a taste of real game action, offering them a platform to potentially stand out.
Now, spring games still offer those benefits, but with the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies and the ever-active transfer portal, more and more coaches view these games as a double-edged sword. They not only showcase the talent in their team but also inadvertently display their roster depth to competing schools, who might swoop in to recruit their players.
Admittedly, it might sound a bit conspiratorial, but it’s a valid concern. This perspective has led to heavyweights like Ohio State, Texas, and USC deciding to axe their spring games this year.
Yet, programs like Georgia are pressing on with their own spring event, famously known as G-Day. Intriguingly, Georgia’s head coach, Kirby Smart, hasn’t dismissed the possibility of changing their approach down the road.
“Different coaches have different strategies. Personally, I enjoy hosting spring football games,” Smart shared earlier this week, as reported by Alex Byington from On3. “But each year, we re-evaluate based on our current situation. We haven’t even begun practice yet. So, it wouldn’t be right for me to claim I’m totally committed to having a spring game. I keep all options open. It’s essentially our 15th practice, and we have the flexibility to do as we please. Right now, we’re planning on having one.”
