The new age of college football is defined by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the rise of the transfer portal, causing some fans and analysts to worry about the future of the sport. At AAC Media Days, UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor addressed the concerns.
UTSA’s Jeff Traylor Not Worried About Transfer Portal, NIL
“I don’t think our game is under attack more than it’s ever been,” Traylor answered when asked about if college football is under attack. “It’s coached by tough people. Guess what? We ain’t so tough no more. This country has gotten pretty damn soft, honestly. So we’re going to be under attack because we are tough people. What do tough people do? They do tough things.
“So we are going to figure it out. We’re all going to be just fine. It was “no pass, no play” back in the ’80s — that was going to ruin our game. Well, guess what we started doing? We started passing our classes. Then it was concussions. Well, now we have the pads we put on our heads out there. Well, now it’s the transfer portal, and now it’s NIL, and I’m telling you … our game is going to be fine.”
Traylor’s proclamation comes at the perfect time, with realignment, NIL, and the transfer portal causing college football to look nothing like it used to just three years ago. Fans have grown wary of the sport’s direction, but the UTSA head coach has served as a steadying voice.
The Roadrunners have embraced the new era, bringing in 16 transfers this offseason, including former five-star CB Denver Harris from Texas A&M and Oregon DT Johnny Bowens III.
In the last two years combined, UTSA added just 19 players from the portal. In December, Traylor, who has led the program to four straight winning seasons (39-14 overall) and bowl appearances, spoke about the team’s NIL funds compared to bigger universities.
“We do have people already tampering with our kids … If they want to go try it out, we have a great example of what happened with Zakhari [Franklin] … The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. I know our guys are very grateful with how we treat them. They know our NIL money is not what these guys are offering them…We’ve at least made it where our kids can maybe go get a car, some insurance, and a cell phone, and make their lives a little better.”
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Franklin recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in San Antonio before transferring to Ole Miss. However, in his lone season with the Rebels, he posted a measly 4-38-1 receiving line as he struggled to see the field.
Even in a rapidly evolving environment, Traylor’s unwavering confidence and pragmatic approach offer a reassuring reminder that, no matter the challenges, the heart of college football will endure and thrive.
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