Someone had to be first

UNLV’s QB sat out and transferred last year after starting 3-0 due to “contract” disputes as well.

The NCAA couldn’t have fucked this up worse if they tried self sabotage.

 

I’m not defending the NCAA at all because they’ve been utter trash for most of my life dating back to the BCS percentage nonsense, but they’re probably just tired and scared of being sued.

I can’t blame them. They just got railroaded in the $2.8 billion settlement case and the more they try to “restrict movement” or not pay players but profit off of TV deals, the more they’re going to keep getting sued. So they effectively have said fuck it, players do whatever you want we don’t care.

 

That was my first thought when this hit. Matthew Sluka is the closest comparison but Nico holding out for more money is definitely blazing new ground. Plus, he’s like the perfect guy for this. He was lured across the country by fat collective cash when the (legal) fat collective cash era was just starting. As much as I love chaos at Tennessee, I don’t blame Nico. The House Settlement is coming. The majority side of Congress these days includes the dudes looking to step in and “fix” the “problem” of money and free movement in college sports. Nico has one lights-out bowl game and one good-not-great season under his belt. This might be the height of his football value and his last/best opportunity to tap it. I assume not, but who knows. Either way, love the drama.

 

Yeah, I didn’t say it was a smart decision, just that I don’t blame him for trying. But I also never would have predicted UT’s response. Clearly, he didn’t either. Or, more likely, his agent.

Totally with you on the portal. A problem of the NCAA’s own making. Decisions on granting exceptions got so friggin arbitrary, it’s like they slapped together a half-baked portal system just to avoid the problem. Funny irony - I think the last straw for the old transfer rules that led to this half-assed portal system was probably the Cade Mays transfer to Tennessee. Made zero sense and showed everyone on all sides of college sports that the NCAA was just making it up as they go.

 

It already happened with that tightend at Miami who got a 9th year of eligibility.

It’s a pretty easy fix too. One transfer without a gap year. No additional red shirts. Any additional transfer require a trip down to JuCo.

 

Brace for the madness - the window is now open.

And, in the least surprising story of the day, Nico apparently going home to LA to get beat around in the Big10. I didn’t give any real thought to Texas Tech until you mentioned it. Probably because they have a hand in every portal rumor these days. If this one was real, it was the perfect landing spot for Nico. Mistake #2 was not seeing that. Easier conference, crappier defenses, better chance to see the playoff, hot new OC, a collective fed with oil money. Plus, a TT passing tradition I’m sure they’d love to revive. Made all the sense in the world.

 

Why didn’t Michigan or Ohio State make a play at Nico? Was there some sort of restriction I’m missing.

He honestly might end up like JT Daniels, Slovis, Tyler Shough, etc. at this point. He’ll be a 5 or 6 year player that will be with at least 3 schools because there’s no way he stays at UCLA after next season.