[lex24]

Part of this “debate” is, I think, a bunch of us older folks longing for a bygone era.  “Loyalty” in the old days was “stronger”.  It was also forced. Kids had very few options. Sure, they could transfer and play after sitting out a year.  But that wasn’t much of a choice.   So, once in the program, kids were generally “stuck”. Their coaches had no such limitations.

Most of us, I think, are parents.  As such, we want our kids to have options.  Today, those options are plentiful in College sports. The portal, early entry into the NFL, NIL.  

I make no bones about my distaste for SC. Calling their team a band of mercenaries.  But I don’t blame the kids.  What would you have done if you were Caleb Williams?  Or Addison. What advice would you have given them?  

If you are 20 and playing football; perhaps with NFL aspirations, perhaps not, and you are in a situation not to your liking - be it the school, the coaches, the program or for that matter your playing time - are you going to place “loyalty “ over your future?  Why?  Your coaches aren’t. Not for the most part. You play a sport where your next play always may be your last. If you are NFL material, your shelf life is short - as is the years of your earning power within the sport. Plus college is supposed to be one of the best times of your life. 

Simply put- I’m not going to blame any kid for putting his life, future and college experience first.  One that leaves at end of the year for what he perceives is greener pastures is not being “ disloyal”. He is simply doing what he perceives as what is best for his future.  Which is what I believe all of us want for our own kids. There is nothing “wrong” about that.

[lex24]

Part of this “debate” is, I think, a bunch of us older folks longing for a bygone era.  “Loyalty” in the old days was “stronger”.  It was also forced. Kids had very few options. Sure, they could transfer and play after sitting out a year.  But that wasn’t much of a choice.   So, once in the program, kids were generally “stuck”. Their coaches had no such limitations.

Most of us, I think, are parents.  As such, we want our kids to have options.  Today, those options are plentiful in College sports. The portal, early entry into the NFL, NIL.  

I make no bones about my distaste for SC. Calling their team a band of mercenaries.  But I don’t blame the kids.  What would you have done if you were Caleb Williams?  Or Addison. What advice would you have given them?  

If you are 20 and playing football; perhaps with NFL aspirations, perhaps not, and you are in a situation not to your liking - be it the school, the coaches, the program or for that matter your playing time - are you going to place “loyalty “ over your future?  Why?  Your coaches aren’t. Not for the most part. You play a sport where your next play always may be your last. If you are NFL material, your shelf life is short - as is the years of your earning power within the sport. Plus college is supposed to be one of the best times of your life. 

Simply put- I’m not going to blame any kid for putting his life, future and college experience first.  One that leaves at end of the year for what he perceives is greener pastures is not being “ disloyal”. He is simply doing what he perceives as what is best for his future.  Which is what I believe all of us want for our own kids. There is nothing “wrong” about that.