Dabo Swinney sounds off on proposed roster changes

Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney is not a fan of the proposed roster changes to college football as a part of the House vs. NCAA case . The NCAA, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and Pac-12 voted to settle the case in May and, as part of the settlement, walk-on student-athletes could be a thing of the past.

The settlement no longer restricts programs on the number of scholarships they offer, but roster sizes can still be capped. Currently, college football programs are limited to 85 scholarships with a limit of 120 players on a roster. Under the new cap of 105 players, teams could add 20 more scholarship players to their rosters, but could not exceed 105 players. That could leave walk-ons on the outside looking in.

Swinney, a former walk-on at Alabama, earned a scholarship after two years on the scout team. He then entered the coaching ranks and has ascended to one of the most successful and powerful coaches in the game today.

"This is the most united coaches have been in the history of football," Swinney said at ACC media days . "It's so frustrating."

Swinney has benefitted from walk-ons throughout his time at Clemson. Hunter Renfrow, current NFL wide receiver, started his career as a walk-on before catching the game-winning touchdown in Clemson's 2016 national championship win. With the current changes, it's hard to say if a player like Renfrow would have an opportunity.

Players like Clay Matthews (USC), J.J. Watt (Wisconsin) and Baker Mayfield (Texas Tech, Oklahoma) all began as walk-ons before successful pro careers. The new roster changes don't just impact schools or football programs; they impact individuals' livelihoods. The Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the nation's best player who began his career as a walk-on, has been handed out since 2010. In that span, 11 of 13 winners have played or been drafted into the NFL.

Now, players who may have walked on to a program could instead have to move to a lower level to play college ball.

Swinney also noted that most teams travel with only 80 players, meaning 25 scholarship players are going to be left at home for road games. In an era where coaches have enough headaches managing a roster, this is another added pressure to keep everyone happy.

The move may also have negative effects on Group of Five schools. The number of scholarship spots will increase at Power Four programs, allowing those schools to sign better talent. Where does that leave Group of Five schools if each Power Four school is getting 25 more scholarship-caliber players?

When considering bowl games, there may be some that go unplayed as players continually choose to opt out of games outside of the College Football Playoff. Florida State's roster was decimated by opt-outs and transfers in last year's Orange Bowl loss to Georgia. Now the roster would be 15 players smaller to begin with. Lack of depth is going to become an issue.

Should the settlement be approved, the new roster changes could go into effect prior to the 2025-26 academic year.