Maraad Watson transferring to Texas

[AngryOtto]

A contract for NIL is not the same as pay for play.

A nil contract cannot require to play at a school. That would be play for pay.

 

[FrancoPizza]

you can't give tax dollars for NIL. That is crazy. Yes, we can't afford school books for school kids but we have just bought a d tackle for Syracuse. No, we can't afford more cops on the street but we just paid for a wide out.

But it’s ok to give $700M to a private franchise?

 

[nocohalo]

I always see people say "Congress should worry about important issues" but this is absolutely an important issue, and taking some time to create an anti-trust exemption for the NCAA is much needed. It doesn't mean you have to completely scrap NIL but an exemption will allow them to enforce NIL contracts at the very least.

 

[Bulldog04]

I’m very nervous for next year. There have been some really key recruiting wins last year and these kids are now leaving. I trust Fran and love the guy, but retaining the guys that clearly make an impact is most important. If he wins 5 games next year which I think is most likely going to happen, it’ll be an interesting offseason. Last season was one of my favorite seasons ever so I can take this year off and deserve frustration bc last year went so well lol. But it seems like cuse is losing some really key guys which stinks. Nature of the beast I guess

 

[JimBoston]

The portal was great for Syracuse last year. Getting McCord resulted in a once in a decade season. And, the portal will allow Syracuse to fill holes each season if used correctly. For example, if a school is top heavy in talented WRs, you are probably going to be able to find a very good WR that is looking to become WR1.

Roster retention and managing the roster, portal recruiting, high school recruiting, and fundraising are the keys to winning in today's college football. (Obviously, good coaching is very important.) Hopefully, the AD at Syracuse will organize the management of the football program for on field success.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I’m very nervous for next year. There have been some really key recruiting wins last year and these kids are now leaving. I trust Fran and love the guy, but retaining the guys that clearly make an impact is most important. If he wins 5 games next year which I think is most likely going to happen, it’ll be an interesting offseason. Last season was one of my favorite seasons ever so I can take this year off and deserve frustration bc last year went so well lol. But it seems like cuse is losing some really key guys which stinks. Nature of the beast I guess

Need to get 6 wins and a 4th straight bowl. Keep the momentum rolling.

 

[orangenauburn]

All we can do is wait to see how we respond and backfill

 

[Chip]

Need to get 6 wins and a 4th straight bowl. Keep the momentum rolling.

I think all those old goals are pretty much out the window. Great that our seniors played in the bowl game this year, but it's going to be less and less. 15 extra practices are kinda worthless when you can't count on anyone returning.

Biggest thing now is raise as much money as you can, and be adaptable to build a team around new players as quickly as possible. No player will care how many consecutive bowl games you've been in as long as the check clears.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I think all those old goals are pretty much out the window. Great that our seniors played in the bowl game this year, but it's going to be less and less. 15 extra practices are kinda worthless when you can't count on anyone returning.

Biggest thing now is raise as much money as you can, and be adaptable to build a team around new players as quickly as possible. No player will care how many consecutive bowl games you've been in as long as the check clears.

Of course you're right. That is the landscape now.

But the bowl streak is for me. I'm pretty committed to it.

 

[ezbeezy214]

Bigger loss for 2026 imo. Hes a stud and in time could get to like Art Jones level, Chris Slayton at least. However, he would be in the rotation now and from what we can tell now, Thomas and Wilson are starting DTs

 

[dasher]

But it’s ok to give $700M to a private franchise?

No Where did I say it was? But if you are talking about building bgs for sports teams, there is at least an argument about improving the quality of life for a large amount of citizens. That can't be said in the case of a college and them buying a linebacker.

 

[DBCooper]

I think all those old goals are pretty much out the window. Great that our seniors played in the bowl game this year, but it's going to be less and less. 15 extra practices are kinda worthless when you can't count on anyone returning.

Biggest thing now is raise as much money as you can, and be adaptable to build a team around new players as quickly as possible. No player will care how many consecutive bowl games you've been in as long as the check clears.

More likely for those checks to clear if you're making bowl games.

 

[Scooch]

I think all those old goals are pretty much out the window. Great that our seniors played in the bowl game this year, but it's going to be less and less. 15 extra practices are kinda worthless when you can't count on anyone returning.

Biggest thing now is raise as much money as you can, and be adaptable to build a team around new players as quickly as possible. No player will care how many consecutive bowl games you've been in as long as the check clears.

This is a great point. I suspect for most schools like us we’re looking at a ton of boom and bust seasons going forward.

Have a uniquely great offseason in the portal and we can win 9+ games. Lose a bunch of guys the next offseason and it’s 5 win city, or worse.

I think we all gotta get used to the idea that we’re not really building anything. It’s all year to year.

 

[Scooch]

What coach would want to put themselves through this in the current college football game?

Do you have to re-recruit everyone on your roster every off-season, simultaneously recruiting high school players and portal transfers, what allows and state of affairs.

It’s insanity. There’s more stability in the UFL at this point.

At least in basketball we’re talking about 5 or 6 guys most years that’ll portal in and out. It’s followable even if the landscape sucks. Football is just sheer chaos.

 

[Sdot]

what sucks if I think no NIL and we are looking at a top 15 team year in and out with Fran.

 

[SuFTW]

A nil contract cannot require to play at a school. That would be play for pay.

There are simple clauses to put in such as location, availability etc. Regardless an NIL contract is not pay to play.

 

[DocFlanders]

what sucks if I think no NIL and we are looking at a top 15 team year in and out with Fran.

Yep, and I’ve said before a Fran coached team pre NIL would be killer year in and year out…players playing for the coach not money. Now money rules regardless. in NIL can’t blame the players buts it’s ruined college sports

 

[Chip]

More likely for those checks to clear if you're making bowl games.

I don’t think the 6-7 win bowl games are clearing all that much.

But I guess if you’re Syracuse, every dollar counts.

 

[orangetrain]

Donate and SU can compete. Don’t and SU will be an afterthought. Very simple.

 

[tep624]

Not really sure what more you can do than start a player that was a late blossoming recruit as a true freshman. If this is 100% $$ based hopefully something can be done to resolve it.

 

[RedtheGOB]

you can't give tax dollars for NIL. That is crazy. Yes, we can't afford school books for school kids but we have just bought a d tackle for Syracuse. No, we can't afford more cops on the street but we just paid for a wide out.

Pretty sure it's only a matter of time before Southern schools pass a law not taxing NIL specifically to attract more players. Not saying I'm on board for that crap but the SEC is.

 

[orangetrain]

100% money based. I think kids are home now, people in their ears, visions of payday. Syracuse cant compete because of its fan base. Donors seem to be doing their part, but they need help!!

 

[chuck]

I think all those old goals are pretty much out the window. Great that our seniors played in the bowl game this year, but it's going to be less and less. 15 extra practices are kinda worthless when you can't count on anyone returning.

Biggest thing now is raise as much money as you can, and be adaptable to build a team around new players as quickly as possible. No player will care how many consecutive bowl games you've been in as long as the check clears.

This is what u people wanted i hope it makes the sport so much better lmao

 

[RedtheGOB]

I’m very nervous for next year. There have been some really key recruiting wins last year and these kids are now leaving. I trust Fran and love the guy, but retaining the guys that clearly make an impact is most important. If he wins 5 games next year which I think is most likely going to happen, it’ll be an interesting offseason. Last season was one of my favorite seasons ever so I can take this year off and deserve frustration bc last year went so well lol. But it seems like cuse is losing some really key guys which stinks. Nature of the beast I guess

All true although I'm more optimistic. We can also see Fran is playing a #'s game here though. He's casting a very wide net. As long as he keeps bringing in tons of dudes that can play we'll be ok.

Granted it's because there's bigger roster sizes allowed, I think the 2025 class is 35 which is double what Dino the era and these guys coming in aint no scrubs.

It sucks whenever you invest in a dude and they bolt but gotta look at the big picture.

 

[RedtheGOB]

This is a great point. I suspect for most schools like us we’re looking at a ton of boom and bust seasons going forward.

Have a uniquely great offseason in the portal and we can win 9+ games. Lose a bunch of guys the next offseason and it’s 5 win city, or worse.

I think we all gotta get used to the idea that we’re not really building anything. It’s all year to year.

Did we already forget about Florida State? Even the big dawgs with blank checks gotta be careful in football playing the portal game too hard. If they don't have the staff and good foundation it can go to hell real fast. But yea these schools will just clean house and double down the next year,