Last week’s coverage on WV Sports Nation featured Christmas wish lists for WVU Athletics. Today, the topic broadens. The toothpaste may be out of the tube already, but some changes need to be made for college football to return to its former glory in 2026 and beyond. Read more: A college football resolution for 2026
Let me clear the air first; This resolution will not fix everything. There have been several classic games in 2025, and the College Football Playoff is heating up as it rolls on through the new year.
That said, college athletics are going down a dark path. Money rules the world of kids playing sports, and football stands at the forefront of the issue.
Can we get some loyalty around here?
Every school knows the pain now. No amount of PR-driven statements or apologies can salvage a player’s reputation at a school once they announce their return, only to leave days later.
WVU has been on the short end of the stick in this situation as recently as late December. Star wide receiver Cam Vaughn gushed about returning to the Mountaineers, only for ESPN’s Pete Thamel to drop the news that Vaughn was entering the portal.
If you plan to enter the portal, just say that.
Tainted state of affairs
This widespread issue continues to plague the new era of college football. There is no point in a fan buying a new NIL off-brand jersey of their favorite player just for the athlete to prioritize money first.
I understand that wealth can change a person’s life, and I do not blame them for taking it. But this is a loyalty problem. What happened to being proud of the team that you represent on a daily basis?
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I am proposing a resolution that an athlete should only be able to transfer once or twice. Look at T.J. Finley, the poster child of “let’s leave for greener pastures.”
Finley has lined up under center for six teams in six years, and is seeking a seventh year of eligibility in the portal. What a joke.
They are STUDENT athletes for a reason.
What’s next?
There are a million resolutions for college football when it comes to this NIL and CFP conglomerate. If I aired all of my grievances, this article would have been posted on Festivus (and probably had a word count in the thousands).
Some people will agree with this viewpoint… others will not. I am just fine with that. Only time will tell what comes next in the world of college football and college athletics as a whole.
Let this be a life lesson, and remember the importance of loyalty. The world could use some right now, and sports often mirrors reality.
I rest my case.
Any player receiving NIL money should have to pay tuition like any other student attending college. Why should they have the benefit of a scholarship if we are going to pay them as well.
I have no passion for college sports anymore. Its ridiculous. No attachment to players or consistency to the roster. I am not renewing season tickets. Will still root for WVU but – meh, not passionately.
Agreed, NIL and open transferring is the demise of college sports. Anyone who has the desire to buy tickets to support student athletes are being victimized. Give athletes the choice to enter the portal ONE time if money is their excuse or a head coaching change happens. NIL money should be put into a trust that is paid out as certain milestones have been reached. There are plenty of highly educated individuals who should be able to collectively come up with a format that works for all. If this doesn’t happen you will see passion for sports in general drop to an all time low.