April 21, 2023: Top College Football Headlines
- The SEC is still the best conference in college football. The SEC won seven of the 10 bowl games played in January, including the College Football Playoff National Championship. The conference also had the most teams ranked in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll, with six.
- The transfer portal is still a major talking point. The transfer portal was a major story in college football in 2022, and it is expected to continue to be a major story in 2023. Some of the biggest names in the portal this offseason include quarterback Caleb Williams, wide receiver Jameson Williams, and defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson II.
- NIL is still a major issue. Name, image, and likeness (NIL) has been a major issue in college football since it was first allowed in July 2021. There have been concerns about NIL deals creating an unfair advantage for some schools and players, and there have also been concerns about NIL deals being used to recruit players.
What is a NIL Deal?
A NIL deal, or name, image, and likeness deal, is a contract between a college athlete and a company or organization that allows the athlete to use their name, image, and likeness in exchange for compensation. NIL deals can be for a variety of things, such as product endorsements, social media posts, or appearances at events.
NIL deals became legal in July 2021 after the NCAA changed its rules on amateurism. The change was made in response to a number of lawsuits that challenged the NCAA's rules on paying college athletes.
NIL deals have been met with mixed reactions. Some people believe that they are a good thing because they allow college athletes to be compensated for their fame and popularity. Others believe that NIL deals could create an unfair advantage for some schools and athletes and that they could lead to corruption.
Only time will tell how NIL deals will impact college athletics. However, it is clear that they are a major new development in the world of college sports.