Love it or hate it, NIL has flipped college football on its head. The big spenders aren’t just throwing money around; they’re reshaping the entire playoff landscape. Programs that used to dream of just being invited to the party are now crashing it, champagne in hand. And then you’ve got Kalen DeBoer, waxing nostalgic about a time when recruiting was about relationships, not bidding wars. It’s enough to make you raise an eyebrow, especially coming from a program like Alabama.
Let’s be real, Alabama has always been a powerhouse, but now that everyone can legally flash the cash, they’re suddenly longing for the ‘good old days’? This season, DeBoer’s got the unenviable task of filling Nick Saban’s shoes, and that means one thing: winning championships. And how do you win championships? You stack high-end talent. Last year, he was scrambling to assemble a staff and keep the roster together during a chaotic transfer portal window. Now, with a full offseason under his belt, his focus is laser-sharp: get Alabama back to the 12-team College Football Playoff in 2025. But here’s the kicker: DeBoer believes that NCAA’s equal revenue sharing will level the playing field, bringing back ‘real recruiting’.
Speaking to On3, DeBoer said, “Having a more balanced playing field helps our situation. It allows us to get where it was at one point just a few years back. Where recruiting is real recruiting, not just someone who’s going to put in the highest bid.” If the House vs. NCAA settlement goes through, revenue sharing is expected to start July 1, allowing schools to share around $20.5 million with athletes, with football programs getting a hefty $15 million. Currently, schools with massive NIL collectives, like Oregon, Ohio State, and Texas, are outbidding everyone else. This new approach aims to change that.
NEW: Kalen DeBoer believes revenue sharing can put Alabama back on a ‘balanced playing field,’ he tells @PeteNakos_
“Having a more balanced playing field helps our situation. It allows us to get where it was at one point just a few years back. Where recruiting is real… pic.twitter.com/z4vzWxFszk
— On3 (@On3sports) February 27, 2025
Alabama doesn’t have the biggest NIL collective in the nation, but revenue sharing should certainly benefit them. And let’s not forget, Alabama has always been a recruiting juggernaut. In 2023, under Saban, they pulled in the No. 2 ranked signing class, even with other schools throwing around big NIL deals. But let’s be honest, it wasn’t just Saban’s legendary status; deals definitely played a role. Now, DeBoer also wants to tighten up the transfer portal window, suggesting a single 10-day window in January. “I don’t feel like you need to have as many available days. Guys know if they’re looking to move on and find another opportunity. I don’t think it takes 30 days to try to figure that out,” he argues.
The argument is that shorter windows force quicker decisions, giving teams a clearer picture of their roster. But for players, it means less leverage. DeBoer also sees issues with the spring portal window, as players miss spring practice and have to play catch-up. “If you’re trying to do it before second semester, which, coming from old-school team building, you’re trying to have a year to get ready and prepare,” DeBoer said. “That’s really what it has to be. You want guys here for the second semester, but that also makes things really hard for coaches who are in the [College Football] playoffs. It’s really a balancing act as far as what that ideal timing will look like.”
Essentially, he wants more control over a system that already favors the big programs. However, the “level playing field” argument doesn’t convince fans, considering Alabama’s dominance long before the NIL era.
Kalen DeBoer’s calls for a ‘level playing field’ drew fan cries of hypocrisy
Here’s where things get interesting: fans aren’t buying the ‘level playing field’ argument. They remember Alabama’s dominance long before NIL. “Did an Alabama head coach just cry poor? Alabama?” one fan tweeted, echoing the sentiment of many. Some point to Alabama AD Greg Byrne’s letter from December 2024, ‘calling for a time for action’ in an effort to improve the program’s NIL donations. It seems even Alabama recognizes the need to compete in this new landscape.
Brandon Walker of Barstool Sports adds fuel to the fire, stating, “I must say it is interesting that the fall of the SEC’s dominance, the fall of Alabama, and Georgia coming back to normal all happened as soon as every team could start legally paying players.” Fans are quick to point out the perceived hypocrisy. “Acting like Bama wasn’t putting in the highest bid for years Now they’re salty that it’s an even playing field,” one fan commented, highlighting the perception that Alabama had unofficial financial advantages for years.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer on the sideline during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images
Another fan bluntly asks, “How the f–k does he think Saban won so much? It wasn’t due to any level playing fields… jfc. ” They argue that while NIL is a factor, Alabama’s success was built on more than just money. Saban’s coaching, the program’s prestige, and yes, likely some behind-the-scenes deals, all played a role. But the point is that now those deals are public and available to other programs as well.
The case of Graham Nicholson, the Miami (OH) kicker, adds another layer to the debate. Miami (OH) coach Chuck Martin didn’t mince words, saying, “We didn’t lose him. He’s at Alabama. We know exactly where he’s at; Alabama stole our kicker.” This led to comments like, “Buddy… Bama cheated for years. Stop.” DeBoer brushed it off, saying, “Graham entered the portal, and we reached out to him. So that’s how it goes, right?” But it reinforces the perception that Alabama has always found ways to get the talent they want. As one fan put it, “Tough now that you’re not the only school doing it, huh?”
Ultimately, DeBoer’s desire for more rules to stabilize recruiting is understandable. But the ‘level playing field’ argument rings hollow to many fans who remember Alabama’s long history of dominance. With NIL and the transfer portal shaking things up, it’ll be interesting to see if Alabama can maintain its position at the top.
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