Is NIL a boon or a bane? Well, in this ever-changing landscape of the CFB era, NIL is taking the front seat in just about every major recruitment process. Now, it’s not about the team’s winning record or title wins; it’s about how much they are willing to invest in the players. With the transfer portal’s easy walk-out door, things got even trickier for the coaches. There’s no harm in chasing financial benefits, but then what about stability? And no one hates this transition more than Kirby Smart, and the best part? Even Urban Meyer is out there backing his opinion.
NIL does play an important part in luring away players. And we have tons of examples for that. The classic one is Bryce Underwood’s $10.5 million shift from LSU to Michigan, and for Kirby Smart’s team, it’s Carson Beck’s $4 million transfer portal move to Miami. But now comes the bigger issue. Kirby is on high alert as a storm appears on the horizon, prompting him to hit the panic button with the House v. NCAA hearing on the horizon. While the final decision is pending, the House settlement has pushed the NCAA into the modern era by allowing players to be paid directly by schools starting July 1. This marks a significant shift, with $20.5 million per school being divided, primarily benefiting football and basketball programs, and almost 390k former athletes sharing a $2.8 billion back-pay windfall.
Kirby Smart is not against players getting financial benefits. He is concerned about potential tampering behind the scenes, highlighting instances of agents making unauthorized contact with players. “We’re going to continue to recruit people who love football, who are passionate about football, and don’t put money as the No. 1 answer,” he said. “There’s stuff going on right now… Zoom calls to present all the players they represent.” Kirby expresses frustration at these wily tactics of agents shopping players even before the portal timings hit. “What if some of them are mine?” he asked.
And even Urban Meyer sees the issue in that as talking about the Zoom calls sizzle effect. He clears his opinion on the Triple Option Podcast, saying, “I’ve been a part of the game for a long time. I’ve witnessed, like, in any walk of life, Mark, you got incredible agents, and then you got others that aren’t, and the agents, you know, that was always an NFL model, and then it started to work its way into college in the coaching profession, and that was my first exposure to that.” This transition of agents from NIL to CFB has ruined things for teams and their coaches.
Now, Urban Meyer further explains why it’s wrong ethically too, saying, “I think it’s really important; this is the obvious, but I want to say it: the agent, they have a very clear responsibility; it’s to maximize their client’s value, period. That’s it. It’s not for the good of the game; it’s not for women’s volleyball or soccer or the track team, and that has no bearing on what their responsibility is. Their job is once again to maximize the value of their client, period. Done. Underline it.” That’s a straight fact. An agent’s job is to get their players the maximum bid, not to think of academics or their track record, right?
So, Kirby Smart and Urban Meyer have a unique ability to see things that others might overlook. The NCAA has introduced a new settlement that appears promising on the surface, but upon closer inspection, there are some concerning issues. While schools can now compensate players, they are also reducing rosters to accommodate this change, potentially resulting in nearly 5,000 athletes losing their spots. Football teams will shrink to 105. So, that’s not really a smart move, right?
That’s exactly why Kirby Smart is raising doubts over the fact that this NIL model will impact competitiveness, saying, “It could be one of the most legendary moments in all of college sports with what’s coming up on this ruling and how people are going to try to manipulate a cap when all we’re trying to do is make for competitive balance.” And further adds to it, saying, “It’s really unfortunate that I don’t know if competitive balance is going to come out of it. I don’t know if the kids win in this model that we currently have, if they win long-term.
However, changing NIL dynamics is not the only concern Kirby Smart might face in the future.
Kirby Smart’s Georgia gets stern warning
Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs typically replenish their roster with top talent, but this offseason has been more like a clearance sale. Georgia bid farewell to Carson Beck (headed to Miami), followed by a significant number of players leaving for the NFL. Players like Mykel Williams, Malaki Starks, Jalon Walker, Smael Mondon Jr., Tate Ratledge, and Trevor Etienne departed, resembling an All-SEC lineup. Such a mass exodus has even left Smart’s team in need of some adjustments.
Even Analyst Patrick Weider bluntly assessed the situation by suggesting, “The Bulldogs are usually able to reload, but they could fall back slightly on defense after losing top-flight defenders in Malaki Starks, Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker.” Indeed, the Bulldogs are facing a challenging schedule with tough matchups against Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, and a talented Texas team led by Arch Manning. It’s going to be a demanding season for Georgia.
Weider presented two potential scenarios for the future of Georgia football, likening it to a “Choose Your Own Adventure” story in college football. If Gunner Stockton performs well, Weider predicts a successful season with 10 or 11 wins. But if Stockton struggles, he anticipates a stumble to a 9-3 record. Weider pointed out that Georgia went 10-2 last season and could either maintain that level or drop to 9-3 this year. He emphasized the crucial role of the quarterback in determining the team’s success.
Despite the uncertainties, Weider highlighted Kirby Smart’s coaching prowess, stating, “Smart is one of the best head coaches in college football. He will get the most that he can out of his players.” Georgia faces challenges ahead, but with Smart leading the way, they are determined to find solutions. The 2025 Bulldogs may undergo changes, but their competitive spirit and talented coaching staff make them a team to watch out for.
The post Urban Meyer Clears Stance on Kirby Smart’s Grim Warning after Georgia’s CFB Fate Takes Concerning Turn appeared first on EssentiallySports.