A lot of things have changed.
1) Nowadays, EVERY team even down through Division II and III (or whatever) plays on TV. Thirty years ago, Carson Wentz would not have been seen on TV at N Dakota St or (in all likelihood) been given a shot in the NFL. It would have been better for him to be seen coming off the bench at a Nebraska or Kansas St than to play for the Bison. Brook Berringer of Nebraska was being touted as an NFL draft pick despite being little more than a career backup QB to Tommie Frazier who had the good fortune to win some games with a talented team.
2) Tribalism is dying. The number of young people who grew up and "this" was their team and they never pulled for anyone else is going down all the time. It's similar to how about 40% of the stadium leaves at BDS if we're blowing out an also ran at halftime. Their interest is "well, I go to school here" rather than "I love (name of school)."
3) Internet and social media make it MUCH easier than it was back in the day to figure out/know which schools may have an opening next year.
I have more to say, but I'm tired.
Just to jump in here on Page 2, before reading the other page and a half - but I agree with all the above, and REALLY agree with all in the linked article.
on 1) - AGREE, and that's why 90% of guys who are going to be career backup QB's at P-5 schools would be FAR better served to transfer to Mid-Majors or even lower division schools. A starter at a Mid-major has a VASTLY BETTER chance of making an NFL roster than any P-5 backup who's never started.
And a guy who spends even 2-3 years JUST "Carrying a clipboard" for an NFL team is likely to gross close to Half a MILLION a year. A fellow who's even moderately careful with his money can put away a pretty nice "Nest egg", even from just 2-3 years. AND, if a guy in that position EVER manages to make it up to an NFL starting QB position - even for ONE Season, he could be financially SET FOR LIFE. (if he's careful with his money).
So when we cuss a player who "quits" on "his team" in hopes of
potentially starting somewhere else - remember that he's making a business decision that potentially could be worth MILLIONS of Dollars, even if he never makes it as an NFL starter.
2) "Tribalism" has been dead (or virtually dead) among the VAST majority of "Blue-Chip" type players for DECADES now. The chance of hearing another "Brodie Croyle" type story in our lifetimes is pretty small. And even THAT would not have happened if not for a LOT of very real Off-Field considerations.
I've been saying for YEARS now (and some still don't believe me) but the ONLY people who think College Football is a "Religion" are the
fans. PERIOD.
It's purely a BUSINESS for EVERYONE ELSE involved in the game, from the Coaches, to the Administrators, to the TV executives, Conference leaders, AD's, Concession vendors, and YES - EVEN FOR THE (BETTER) PLAYERS.
A "5-star" recruit in 2018
is going to say the "Right words" when he's interviewed about his recruitment - as in, the words that will make the fans happy at his chosen school. But virtually NONE of these guys is signing with Alabama because they want to live in Tuscaloosa or they like the color "Crimson", or signing with UGa because they think the bulldog mascot is "Cool", or signing with Ohio State because of the quality of the education, or signing with aTm because they love the "Yell Leaders", or signing with USCw because of the good weather - (OR even how many games or Titles they might win at a particular school!) These guys are picking schools 100% based on their subjective impression of which school gives them the best shot at playing in "the League".
3) Yep. and it's a two way street. It also gives coaches at other schools an easy way to evaluate a guy on another team's roster, if, for example, that guy's "Uncle"
was to call another school to gauge their interest should the guy decide to transfer at any point in the future . . . . . . . . .
