Free Agency - Where Things Stand

[AURex 1,999]

Mods -- I wasn't sure where to put this. Move it if you think it should go somewhere else.

Approximately 1/3 of all student athletes transfer schools at least once. ONE THIRD!

In October 2019, the Big 10, with the support of all its ADs, issued a proposal to the NCAA that would allow athletes from any sport to transfer one time without having to sit out a year, as is the current rule in football and basketball and a few other sports. If I understand it correctly (I could be wrong in my interpretation), the proposed change would allow student athletes to transfer to any school they want, even conference competitors. The Big 10 proposed change to transfer rule was first reported by CBS. Article Here.

At their conference meeting last week, the ACC voted unanimously to support the proposal. They issued a statement Monday (yesterday) that said --

“During the league’s annual winter meetings (February 12-14) the ACC discussed the transfer environment and unanimously concluded that as a matter of principle we support a one-time transfer opportunity for all student-athletes regardless of sport. As a conference, we look forward to continuing the discussion nationally.”  News article here.

It will be interesting to see whether other conferences support the idea. At present, the transfer process has been erratic, with some players ruled that they can play immediately and others that they must sit. It is this uneven administration of waivers that has partially driven the new proposal, along with a goal of more fair treatment of athletes.

Two years ago, the SEC resisted the idea of "free agency" transfer rule changes. Article here. Saban has already come out as a critic of liberalizing the transfer process. He thinks it is already too liberal. Article here. 

However, the NCAA is already moving forward in discussion of the issue. They've established a working group to review the issue and report back on it. If the NCAA comes to final resolution, the new rule could be taken up this year and implemented in 2021. Article here.

Of course, many coaches are in meltdown. But the slow "liberalization" of transfer rules has been underway for several years. The PAC12 eliminated transfer barriers between member schools two years ago, eliminating the power of coaches to block transfers within the conference. A lot of the media consider this change in the rules to be inevitable, and that -- like it or not -- coaches will have to adapt.

We've discussed transfer issues many times before on this board. And with mixed opinions. But at this point, it looks like there is a very good chance this new rule will be coming next year.

I'm not asking your opinion about whether you LIKE it or not. I'm curious what effect you think it will have, in reality, on the way recruiting is handled, the way coaches build their teams, depth ---- but most of all, how parity and competitiveness is affected with easy transfers.

 

 

 

[Eagle Eye 7 2,535]

It I’ll definitely have an impact on the uat, Clemson and OSU teams that like to  stockpile 4*5* talent. For teams like AU  will probably be a neutral thing ( lose as many as we get) . That said I think it’s great for college players because it allows those second best folks to actually get playing time and improve their chances of playing at the next level. I also think it is a major plus because it makes the field more even across the board. It will make NCAA football much like NCAA basketball as far as a competitive level . As it is today it’s almost like 20 teams make up one league and the rest make up another league. I think overall it is good for the game and I think that it most likely will be the rule in the near future. 🦅🦅🦅

[LKEEL75 2,566]

This is going to become free agency as soon as they include pay for likeness to these kids.  Just think about it.  Kid comes to AU plays and does really good.  UAt contacts him (I know they are not SUPPOSED TO but it will happen) and says if you come here we can offer you X jersey sells & a new car with dealership Y.  AU has to then counter with something equal or greater.  This will no longer be a amateur sport.  All of college sports will become professionals because it will be across the board.  Offer X jersey sells to this softball player; offer Y tv ads for this equestrian rider; offer Z for this speedo pictures for this swimmer.  

Get ready for a massive change in college sports.  Personally I am not a fan of what I see coming.  I hope I am wrong!

[AuburnNTexas 7,149]

This could really help our basketball team. Maybe get a sophomore backup PG instead of a GT that way we could get a solid experienced backup PG for a couple of years.  It adds to the number of players we could pick up in basketball to help with immediate needs..

Next year we will have: 

PF's Williams, Franklin and Moore

C Stretch

PG Cooper maybe Turbo

SG Cambridge, Turbo, Powell, Flanagan maybe Jalen Green (looking good so far)

SF Flanagan, Cambridge, Maybe Jalen Green 

We need a backup PG and a Center 

[oracle79 3,569]

Require the student athlete to complete academic requirements to be a sophomore in good standing with their current school and give the current school veto power over one school of their choice and I'm good with it. So yeah you can transfer anywhere except, umm oh yeah, Alabama.

[AUsince72 11,084]

The best players on any Auburn sports roster should be required to stay & play at Auburn for all 4 years (+4 games during another season 😁) regardless of academic standing.  Further, the best players from all other schools' rosters should have a streamlined path to Auburn when needed/wanted.

Beyond that...who cares?

 

[CodeRocket 410]

1 hour ago, Eagle Eye 7 said:

It I’ll definitely have an impact on the uat, Clemson and OSU teams that like to  stockpile 4*5* talent. For teams like AU  will probably be a neutral thing ( lose as many as we get) . That said I think it’s great for college players because it allows those second best folks to actually get playing time and improve their chances of playing at the next level. I also think it is a major plus because it makes the field more even across the board. It will make NCAA football much like NCAA basketball as far as a competitive level . As it is today it’s almost like 20 teams make up one league and the rest make up another league. I think overall it is good for the game and I think that it most likely will be the rule in the near future. 🦅🦅🦅

I would only add to this that sometimes young people just need a second chance to achieve success. They may not be "second best" in the long run.

[McLoofus 35,182]

1 hour ago, LKEEL75 said:

This is going to become free agency as soon as they include pay for likeness to these kids.  Just think about it.  Kid comes to AU plays and does really good.  UAt contacts him (I know they are not SUPPOSED TO but it will happen) and says if you come here we can offer you X jersey sells & a new car with dealership Y.  AU has to then counter with something equal or greater.  This will no longer be a amateur sport.  All of college sports will become professionals because it will be across the board.  Offer X jersey sells to this softball player; offer Y tv ads for this equestrian rider; offer Z for this speedo pictures for this swimmer.  

Get ready for a massive change in college sports.  Personally I am not a fan of what I see coming.  I hope I am wrong!

A quick breakdown of the 2020 signing class:

-One team that finished outside the top 20 in the final recruiting rankings- Maryland at 31- signed one 5* player. No other team that finished outside the top 20 signed any 5* players.

-Three teams that finished in the top 20 but outside the top 12 signed one 5* player each. 

-21 of the remaining 26 5* players signed with the top 6 teams in the final recruiting rankings. 

-14 of the top 15 teams signed 11 or more 4*s. Oregon was the exception. They signed 7 4*s and 3 5*s and finished 12th.

-The top 10 teams averaged 2.3 5* players and 14.5 4* players, or roughly 17 blue chip players out of a possible 25 slots. 

-With those 8 remaining slots, those teams still need to sign specialists, JUCOs and certain other positions that aren't assigned 4* ratings at the same rate as more high profile positions- FBs, TEs, etc. 

All of which is to say, the rich are already about as rich as they can get. Even Auburn. There's no need for bidding wars. Unless it's Cam Newton or Bo Jackson, in which case they deserve whatever we can give them. 

[keesler 5,924]

Get ready for Agents to feast like piranha.

Momma will need an agent to manage the numerous autograph sessions, commercials & photo shoots and help them broker the strong ass offers from the highest paying schools.  Every program will have equal opportunity to put the best compensation package on the table.🤑

[McLoofus 35,182]

14 minutes ago, keesler said:

Get ready for Agents to feast like piranha.

Momma will need an agent to manage the numerous autograph sessions, commercials & photo shoots and help them broker the strong ass offers from the highest paying schools.  Every program will have equal opportunity to put the best compensation package on the table.🤑

Sounds like economic stimulus and job creation to me. Agents, managers, social media coordinators, AV crews, accountants...

[keesler 5,924]

37 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Sounds like economic stimulus and job creation to me. Agents, managers, social media coordinators, AV crews, accountants...

Add the hired authenticator to certify the autograph is the real deal .....aka Johnny Manziel's autograph sessions arranged in hotel rooms where a registered individual authenticated each and every item of memorabilia "JFF" signed till his hand nearly fell off.   Don't forget the trunks full of items stacked on the dinning room table so little Johnny had something to occupy his time when he was home for the HoliDazzzze. 

[gr82be 14,425]

This is me at this point. Happy for the players but I just wasn't made for these times.

[McLoofus 35,182]

7 minutes ago, gr82be said:

This is me at this point. Happy for the players but I just wasn't made for these times.

I agree with you, but for a bunch of other reasons. On this, I just don't see where the stress is coming from. Like, I've been keeping up with this conversation for years now, and I've still yet to see a legitimate reason why the average fan should care. 

[Gowebb11 9,324]

5 hours ago, LKEEL75 said:

Get ready for a massive change in college sports.  Personally I am not a fan of what I see coming.  I hope I am wrong!

I agree with your post, but CFB has been an amateur sport in name only for several years. At some point we transitioned from the NCAA making millions to them making billions, from new facilities costing $10 million dollars to costing $80 million dollars, from players getting Mustangs and Camaros  to players getting Escalades and parents getting houses. Emmett is doing what he has to do before it is done in court for him. 

[Gowebb11 9,324]

1 hour ago, keesler said:

Add the hired authenticator to certify the autograph is the real deal .....aka Johnny Manziel's autograph sessions arranged in hotel rooms where a registered individual authenticated each and every item of memorabilia "JFF" signed till his hand nearly fell off.   Don't forget the trunks full of items stacked on the dinning room table so little Johnny had something to occupy his time when he was home for the HoliDazzzze. 

All true, but I would add this. While the NCAA was dropping the hammer on him, it was discovered that they were selling and profiting from his jersey from their palacial facilities. The hypocrisy is what brought us here. 

[McLoofus 35,182]

1 minute ago, Gowebb11 said:

The hypocrisy is what brought us here. 

 

[keesler 5,924]

31 minutes ago, Gowebb11 said:

I agree with your post, but CFB has been an amateur sport in name only for several years. At some point we transitioned from the NCAA making millions to them making billions, from new facilities costing $10 million dollars to costing $80 million dollars, from players getting Mustangs and Camaros  to players getting Escalades and parents getting houses. Emmett is doing what he has to do before it is done in court for him. 

The NCAA has been on notice since Cali passed their bill in Nov '19.  The law gave ample time (2 yrs) for the NCAA to respond and enact rules and regulations to address the new State laws that will be in full force.  I think the NCAA could be dealing with over 2 dozen State laws within the next 2 recruiting cycles and I hope an pray Alabama is one of them.

[AURex 1,999]

Speaking of hypocrisy, the NCAA still throws around the concept of student athletes. They like to emphasize the "student" aspect of that in order to continue promoting the ideal of amateurism.

Any student can transfer at any time to any other school. If they are on an academic scholarship, they can get an academic scholarship at the new institution. If they have a work-study assistantship, they can get one elsewhere. If they have a needs-based grant, they can get another one. In fact, a lot of students do transfer in order to study in a different subject area or go where they could receive better education in that discipline.

Why are students who happen to play a sport treated differently? It's not as though signing a letter of intent and financial aid agreement is a contract in perpetuity. In fact, any athlete can be processed out by a coach in order to make room on the roster for new players.

Moreover, this whole idea of coaches blocking graduate transfers to specific schools is totally evil. When I graduated from Auburn, having had an assistantship for several years, I just left to attend graduate school at the place I considered the best program in the country, and they gave me a free ride. Auburn could not exercise any form f control over where I chose to go.

IMO, this move towards "free agency" in college sports actually moves us back in the direction of amateurism by re-instating the right of a student to go to school wherever they want in order to improve their circumstances and better prepare themselves for their post-graduate working future (whether that future be in sports or, more likely, some type of work they can do using their education).

 

[gr82be 14,425]

2 hours ago, McLoofus said:

I agree with you, but for a bunch of other reasons. On this, I just don't see where the stress is coming from. Like, I've been keeping up with this conversation for years now, and I've still yet to see a legitimate reason why the average fan should care. 

Yeah, no stress for me but maybe a little concern for what the landscape of college football will look like in a few years. I grew up in a time when even professional sports teams stayed together for quite a few years at s time. Building a team used to mean drafting/recruiting. Then pro sports became about which teams could afford the best players and that's how the team is built now. I can see college getting there one step at a time. Don't get me wrong because I don't want a kid to be unhappy if he has a chance to play somewhere else. I just hope it doesn't turn into a bidding war where the rich get richer (although it already is that way for the upper tier schools). But you're right, definitely no sense in anyone worrying about it because it will be the new norm and then something else will come along to change things. I do wish the transfers were off limits to a school on your current team's schedule for next season. 

[jAUSon 2,836]

5 hours ago, McLoofus said:

A quick breakdown of the 2020 signing class:

-One team that finished outside the top 20 in the final recruiting rankings- Maryland at 31- signed one 5* player. No other team that finished outside the top 20 signed any 5* players.

-Three teams that finished in the top 20 but outside the top 12 signed one 5* player each. 

-21 of the remaining 26 5* players signed with the top 6 teams in the final recruiting rankings. 

-14 of the top 15 teams signed 11 or more 4*s. Oregon was the exception. They signed 7 4*s and 3 5*s and finished 12th.

-The top 10 teams averaged 2.3 5* players and 14.5 4* players, or roughly 17 blue chip players out of a possible 25 slots. 

-With those 8 remaining slots, those teams still need to sign specialists, JUCOs and certain other positions that aren't assigned 4* ratings at the same rate as more high profile positions- FBs, TEs, etc. 

All of which is to say, the rich are already about as rich as they can get. Even Auburn. There's no need for bidding wars. Unless it's Cam Newton or Bo Jackson, in which case they deserve whatever we can give them. 

Thank you Stat.

[McLoofus 35,182]

27 minutes ago, jAUSon said:

Thank you Stat.

De nada.

One more stat: there are 85 scholarship slots on a CFB football team. Even the big Texas teams aren't going to offer that many contracts.

Speaking of, those big offers won't be anything but signing bonuses. They won't guarantee a future. A kid producing like a high round draft pick- the kind of kid that deep pockets would be chasing in this dystopian nightmare of true free agency that some are predicting- isn't going to be in a hurry to leave a program where he's already on everyone's radar. Give up an almost guaranteed shot at a huge rookie contract because Factory U offered $25k more than your current team? I mean, maybe a few dumbasses will fall into that trap. Might even pay off for a handful of players every year. But that's no reason to keep screwing over the rest.

 

[AUsince72 11,084]

1 hour ago, McLoofus said:

One more stat: there are 85 scholarship slots on a CFB football team.

Meh..... Semantics.

Under the New Sports Order, they'll be called "payroll slots" and they're only as limited as a school's budget.

[Eagle Eye 7 2,535]

21 hours ago, CodeRocket said:

I would only add to this that sometimes young people just need a second chance to achieve success. They may not be "second best" in the long run.

Agreed and they deserve that. A lot of times they have an option to start at a smaller school but when recruited are led to believe they will get a chance to show their stuff at the big school but coaches should be honest with them. They should tell them that they will be a back up but if someone get hurt they will get their chance. Then let the player decided. Not really bad for the school unless they make to many bad judgements .

[Mikey 16,604]

Since the NCAA isn't enforcing the transfer rule equally anyway (See Justin Fields, etc.) then the one time transfer without having to sit out a year might as well be put into place. There should be zero waiver possibilities for a 2nd transfer.

About this image selling thing: Last season at AU, I could see Derrick Brown making a bundle while, say, Prince Sammons made zero. This being a horrible idea, lets hope that if it does go into effect the Derrick Browns of the CFB world will have pity on their numerous have-not teammates and send out and pay for pizza for the poor working stiffs every now and then.

[Auburn2Eugene 2,317]

On 2/19/2020 at 9:51 AM, oracle79 said:

 give the current school veto power over one school of their choice 

No. Just No. 

The school should not be able to block anyone from transferring anywhere. 

We had absolutely no case, cause, or reason to block Antwuan Jackson from transferring to Ohio State or Clemson. But we did. He had to go the JUCO route to enroll at his chosen destination. Ohio State was nowhere on our schedule and still isnt. We also blocked him from transferring to Clemson. Clemson wasnt on our schedule when he would have gotten to play... Although i could understand blocking him from clemson since they were on the schedule in 2017... But Ohio State? Gus just blocked him from Ohio State because it was his #2 school. Jackson picked us over Ohio State...and there were 0 (ZERO) legitimate reasons why we blocked him from transferring to Ohio State. 

The school should have NOTHING to do with where a player could transfer...  

If there are limits, the ONLY limit should be to prevent players from transferring to any team already scheduled within their eligibility period. So in Jacksons case, as long as Ohio State was not scheduled in any of the 4 years Jackson would play. Then sure. It makes sense to limit their transfer to that institution. 

But the rules for one should pertain to another. We play Kentucky next year but couldnt stop Gatewood from transferring there. I know thats because of the rules of the transfer portal, but the Jackson case still bothers me. I absolutely hate that he left. But once that decision had been made, the school, coaching staff, or conference should have NO SAY in where a perspective transfer were to enroll. Period.