In a move towards adapting to the changing landscape of college football, Texas, USC, and Nebraska have canceled their spring games. The decision comes after considering the wear and tear on players, with teams now playing an average of 30 games over two years.
“We need to do a great job as coaches of adapting,” said Texas coach Sarkisian. “College football is changing right now.” He emphasized that the development of players requires a different approach than in the past.
USC’s source cited financial concerns, stating that there’s not much upside to spring games given the risk of injury and more important uses for resources. The biggest purpose of a spring game now is as a fan engagement tool, rather than an opportunity for teams to recruit players.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule mentioned that he was concerned about the impact of televised spring games on recruiting, with many players receiving offers from other schools after being featured in these games. He prefers to keep his roster’s exposure to a minimum, especially during the spring when free agency is more prevalent.
Florida State canceled its spring game due to ongoing renovations at Doak Campbell Stadium. Coach Mike Norvell believes this trend will continue as teams change rapidly and can only get 15 days of practice before the season starts.
Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte emphasized that this decision was not permanent, but rather a reassessment of their approach. The focus is now on reimagining what the spring looks like, potentially featuring NFL-style organized team activities and scrimmages to better prepare players for the fall.
Source: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/43938558/texas-usc-latest-college-football-programs-cancel-spring-games