Dabo Swinney on transfer portal guidelines: ‘We just want some rules’

Dabo Swinney took another jab at the current transfer portal rules in college football, saying he and the rest of the world just need rules. The Clemson coach is not exactly wrong, considering the free agency that practically takes place in player movement.

Swinney referenced how players are able to move in multiple windows and there’s no cap on NIL earnings. At least, when it comes to offers straight from the source.

“There are no rules right now. We just want some rules,” Swinney said on The College GameDay Podcast. “And I think we’re coming out of a period of complete chaos and where there’s no cap, the schools can’t handle things directly, it comes from outside entities. You have the agent process is not regulated. I mean, there’s a lot of challenges, but I do think that we’re about to enter into a much more structured environment that is going to, it might take a year, but 

“I think it’s going to create some markets, you know, to where there’ll be some transparency, there’s an actual cap. I think the best thing about the settlement is it keeps college football scholastic.” 

Swinney described college football is heading towards an NFL model when it comes to the financial investment in players. The way teams can stay competitively balanced is a cap on spending money on players.

“We’re the only sport that’s still (where) everything happens on campus for us, either on our campus or on a high school campus,” Swinney said. “We’re still a scholastic sport. I think that’s a part of it. And then I think rewarding performance will be a part of this, whereas right now, it’s just a bunch of hypothetical. And again, there’s no rules. You can do whatever you want, and once the settlements are in place, I think you have to make internal decisions, both as an athletic department and as a football program, and then this changes from year to year, you know? 

“So you know, some years you might have that fourth year quarterback that you have a lot of money invested in, or you may have two senior tackles and a great wideout or a great corner, and then the next year, those guys move on. So there’s some money freed up, so it might give you more flexibility within your cap in recruiting, because you do have to, you got to retain talent. You got to acquire talent. But I do think that you figure out, just like the NFL, you play premium players at premium positions, right? And if you pay the wrong guys, you’re in trouble.” 

Swinney might sound like he’s screaming into the void, but he’s hoping these words make a mark. Market correction is coming and it’s something college football is going to have to get used to.

“So right now, there is no market, there’s no transparency,” Swinney said. “I think it may take a year or so, but I do think that will emerge. I think we all know the quarterback is going to make more than the linebacker. That’s just the way it is. And right now, there’s no rhyme or reason for really anything. It’s just whatever feels good in the moment. 

“You can do it, and anybody can be involved. So I think we’ll have some clearer rules, more clarity, and I think a little bit more order coming sooner than later. And I think it’s going to be a great time to be in college football, you know, for all parties. But there will be some challenges and some unintended consequences. I’m sure that we’ll figure it out as we go.”