Alabama should drop spring football game, Tuscaloosa mayor says amid concerns
The Future of College Football Spring Games in Question
College football spring games, once a staple in preseason preparations, may be phasing out as over two dozen programs have opted to cancel these events. Concerns regarding player workload and potential transfer portal tampering are driving this shift. Alabama’s A-Day, traditionally a major draw, held its event in 2025 without a game format, instead opting for drills and controlled scenarios. Tuscaloosa’s mayor, Walt Maddox, has suggested that continuing A-Day may not be beneficial for the city due to logistical and security costs, particularly as attendance has drastically declined from 72,000 two years prior to just 10,000 this past spring.
The trend to abandon conventional spring games gained momentum after Nebraska’s head coach, Matt Rhule, expressed concerns about giving rival programs free glimpses of players, potentially leading to poaching through the transfer portal. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian echoed these sentiments, advocating for an NFL-inspired offseason training approach instead. Major programs like USC, Florida State, and LSU are following suit, with some teams opting for non-televised scrimmages.
Michigan stood out by broadcasting its spring event only after the transfer window had closed, demonstrating awareness of the shifting landscape. “It’ll be interesting to see the evolution of A-Day,” Maddox noted, reflecting on the uncertain future of these once-popular events. As programs prioritize security and focus on player retention, the traditional spring game may not survive in its current form for years to come.
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