Spring football used to be an exciting time for fans. Even though they couldn’t attend practices, the annual spring game alone generated plenty of anticipation for the upcoming season.
However, spring games have evolved significantly over the years. Instead of splitting the roster into two teams for a full scrimmage, most programs now focus on drills, competitions, and only brief game action. This shift is largely due to concerns about player tampering, as coaches worry that standout performances could attract lucrative offers from rival programs. West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez openly expressed his concerns, noting that unlike the NFL, where tampering results in penalties college football lacks enforcement, making it a widespread issue.
Rodriguez pointed out that some coaches, like Matt Rhule at Nebraska, have opted out of spring games altogether to prevent outside evaluation of their players. He explained that if a player performs exceptionally well, another program might offer them a large sum of money to lure them away, often through indirect channels like high school coaches, agents, or community members. Because of this, many programs now limit their spring games to controlled scrimmages rather than full-speed competitions.
Looking ahead, it’s likely that more schools will stop broadcasting their spring games. There’s little to gain from making film available for opponents and potential recruiters, and keeping the game off television might even boost in-person attendance.
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