Let's get real about the Spring Game

So yesterday, Steve Sarkisian announced that Texas would join USC, Ohio State, and Nebraska in canceling their spring games this year. Sark cited Texas's 30 games in the last two seasons and the need for more development to combat roster turnover. He also alluded to the Longhorns taking more of an NFL-like OTA-style approach to maximize the 15 practices allotted for spring football.

There have been many opinions on the importance of the spring game, but I believe that since the COVID year - which saw the cancellation of numerous spring games across the country (including Virginia Tech) - it's time for a larger discussion on the topic. 

Just a few weeks ago, Nebraska head coach Matt Ruhle was candid on the topic as the Cornhuskers decided to cancel their spring game. In this era of NIL and player movement via the transfer portal aided by backdoor *and illegal* recruiting running rampant across the country, it's completely understandable why coaches may have second thoughts about trotting out their team to play a televised scrimmage. Mind you, most spring games are played just days before the second transfer portal window opens for Division I football (April 16th- April 25th).

Over 2,600 FBS players entered the transfer portal in the previous cycle which ran from December 9th - December 28th. While any player movement is not ideal, this is easier to manage from a roster-building perspective, and in many cases, these could be players who see a better opportunity elsewhere given their position on the depth chart or an opportunity for a better schematical fit.  

More than 1,200 FBS players entered the portal during the spring window last cycle. While the reasons above could be true for those players as well, this is much more difficult for programs to adjust to. Once spring ball concludes, teams are allotted voluntary workouts in June and 25 practices before the first game for fall camp.

For example, if a blue blood program isn’t thrilled with their quarterback situation following 15 practices and they have the NIL resources to address that concern, they are going to address it. Take a look at Ohio State - a team that just lost starting quarterback Will Howard after winning the College Football Playoff. Ohio State has plenty of options at QB with Julian Sayin, Tavien St. Clair, and Lincoln Kienholz. However, if OSU feels *albeit unlikely* that they don’t have their answer at QB1 or a lengthy injury pops up, they could very well take a look at quarterbacks around the country or even in the conference to find a replacement.

Just last season, we saw plenty of in-conference transfers. One of the more notable moves came from WR Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. who jumped from South Carolina to Ole Miss after an All-SEC performance with the Gamecocks in 2022. 

It's worth pointing out *and hilarious* that South Carolina both finished with the same record in SEC play as Ole Miss and the Gamecocks did indeed have a pretty good quarterback. But I digress...

Other notable in-conference transfers:

DT Walter Nolen: Texas A&M -> Ole Miss

OT Cayden Green: Oklahoma -> Missouri

CB Jabbar Muhammad: Washington -> Oregon

RB Jordan Waters: Duke -> NCST.

Just to clarify, I am NOT advocating for the complete removal of the weekend! While all the above points are worth considering, spring game weekend was and still is special to fanbases across the country. It is an opportunity for alumni to return to their schools as the weather finally breaks from winter and watch their team *no matter how good or bad* WIN a game! It's great for local businesses, recruits, and the surrounding community. It is a key date on every single big university’s calendar. Look at Virginia Tech! The 3.2 for 32, Monogram Club golf outing, Edmunds’ family reception, and yes… Spring Jam. It's a wonderful weekend! But guess what, the game doesn't have to be the reason! 

It’s funny that I am writing this as the NBA and NFL all-star game weekends are *rightfully* being shredded due to the lack of seriousness and meaning for both events. Is the spring game itself really that different? For YEARS the game has turned into a glorified dog and pony show. Especially now - with coaches fearing poaching or injury - what was already a vanilla playbook with limited action for the two-deep will only continue to trend in that direction.

My point is, purely from a football program perspective, the negatives far outweigh the positives as it pertains to going through the motions of this game. I think it’s time to rethink this whole thing.

No, we can’t steal the NHL’s homework and do a Four Nations Faceoff with schools around the country *even though that would be awesome*. But my homework assignment for all of us is this: what is the path to build a compelling enough itinerary with a tie-in to football that will drive tens of thousands back to Blacksburg for the weekend?

Is it an open practice in Lane Stadium? Is it a pep rally spring homecoming type of situation with all spring sports teams hosting intriguing matchups over the weekend? Is it a Pro Bowl style event in Lane Stadium? Maybe you could host a pro-day style combine for all the underclassmen open to the public? On second thought, Matt Rhule would probably think that is the stupidest idea ever.