College coaches mull NFL-style OTAs as replacement for spring games amid roster tampering, injury concerns

Spring football as we know it might be nearing its end across college football. Several programs plan to eliminate public spring games this offseason, and prominent coaches are campaigning to transform the allotted 15 days of practices into NFL-style organized team activities in June or July.

The idea is nothing new, but it is gaining traction. Sources told CBS Sports that FBS coaches discussed a potential proposal to eliminate spring practices and implement OTAs in the late spring and early summer months at the American Football Coaches Association annual meeting in January. The goal is to better organize rosters before the summer semester and combat tampering before the spring transfer portal window opens in mid-April.

Coaches opted not to discuss the topic at length in January, instead focusing their efforts on shrinking transfer portal windows — 30 days in December and 10 in April — to a single 10-day period starting in early January. Their proposal was unanimously approved by about 60 coaches in attendance at the meeting, but faces potential roadblocks as it seeks ratification from the NCAA oversight committee and Division I Council.

Nebraska’s Matt Rhule made waves earlier this month when he revealed the Huskers would likely not conduct an open spring scrimmage for fans because he fears other programs will poach their players after seeing them on national television.

“The word ‘tampering’ no longer exists,” Rhule said. “It’s just absolute free, open, common market. So I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world. I don’t want these guys all being able to watch our guys and say ‘Wow, he looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.'”

CBS Sports polled 18 FBS coaches on whether they would conduct spring…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-coaches-mull-nfl-style-otas-as-replacement-for-spring-games-amid-roster-tampering-injury-concerns/

Author : Brandon Marcello

Publish date : 2025-02-12 18:43:00

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