Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney is once again voicing his concerns about the current state of college football, particularly the Transfer Portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) system. Speaking on The College GameDay Podcast, Swinney said the sport is going through a period of “complete chaos.”
“There are no rules right now. We want some rules,” Swinney said, criticizing how players can transfer freely and receive money through NIL deals with little oversight.
The combination of the Transfer Portal and NIL has created what Swinney describes as a “pay-for-play” system. In the past, players who transferred had to sit out a year unless they were graduate transfers. Now, athletes can move to new schools and play right away, often influenced by financial offers.
Swinney believes the upcoming House settlement—a legal agreement expected to reshape college sports—will bring much-needed structure. He hopes it will introduce regulations, spending caps, and transparency.
“We’re about to enter into a much more structured environment,” Swinney said. “It might take a year, but I think it will bring more order. There’ll be actual markets, spending caps, and more clarity. The best part is that it will help keep college football educational.”
Swinney also warned that college football is starting to look more like the NFL, especially when it comes to money. He supports the idea of financial caps for schools to create a more level playing field.
“There is no market, no transparency right now,” he said. “I think we all understand the quarterback will likely earn more than a linebacker—that’s normal. But at the moment, nothing makes sense. It’s just whatever feels good in the moment.”
Swinney remains hopeful that the sport will shift toward more balance and fairness. But he stresses that real reform will take time and strong leadership.
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