More schools will be following Lane Kiffin's lead in cancelling spring games and closing practices this year.
Nebraska's HC has said "it's very probable" that they will not hold a spring game this year. Nebraska drew 60,000 plus to it's game last year - 4th most in the nation,
“It’s just an absolute free open common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, ‘He looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’”
The spring game has a long tradition at Nebraska. Last year the event drew 60,452 to Memorial Stadium, fourth-highest in the nation behind spring games at Ohio State, Alabama and Penn State. The Cornhuskers’ game also was televised on the Big Ten Network.
“I dealt with a lot of people offering our players a lot of opportunities after that,” Rhule said. “To go out and bring in a bunch of new players and showcase them for all the other schools to watch doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”
Texas learned the hard way in spring 2023 when Malik Murphy's strong showing in the Longhorns' scrimmage led to tampering from SEC programs . They managed to keep him with NIL dollars, but he still transferred to Duke after the season. The Longhorns are reportedly mulling scrapping their spring game this year - Sarkisian has said Texas may change their spring practice schedule to eliminate the Spring game because of the long post-season but you have to think it's because of the portal as well.
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Nebraska's HC has said "it's very probable" that they will not hold a spring game this year. Nebraska drew 60,000 plus to it's game last year - 4th most in the nation,
Nebraska's spring game likely canceled as transfer portal has made it detrimental, Rhule says
The Nebraska spring game likely won’t be held going forward because of coach Matt Rhule’s concern about other teams poaching his players.
apnews.com
“It’s just an absolute free open common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, ‘He looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’”
The spring game has a long tradition at Nebraska. Last year the event drew 60,452 to Memorial Stadium, fourth-highest in the nation behind spring games at Ohio State, Alabama and Penn State. The Cornhuskers’ game also was televised on the Big Ten Network.
“I dealt with a lot of people offering our players a lot of opportunities after that,” Rhule said. “To go out and bring in a bunch of new players and showcase them for all the other schools to watch doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”
Texas learned the hard way in spring 2023 when Malik Murphy's strong showing in the Longhorns' scrimmage led to tampering from SEC programs . They managed to keep him with NIL dollars, but he still transferred to Duke after the season. The Longhorns are reportedly mulling scrapping their spring game this year - Sarkisian has said Texas may change their spring practice schedule to eliminate the Spring game because of the long post-season but you have to think it's because of the portal as well.