Kyle Whittingham predicts that several college football teams could spend $50 million on rosters by 2027 and advocates for a cap on NIL spending.
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Kyle Whittingham is Michigan football's new coach. (PHOTO: Rick Osentoski / Imagn Images)
In the modern era of college football, Kyle Whittingham knows how important NIL resources are crucial to success. But he also called for a cap on roster spending after predicting âseveralâ teams could spend $50 million for the 2027 season.
Whittingham has praised the support he has at Michigan after taking over as head coach. As he went through what it takes to win in the new era, the former Utah coach called NIL resources the most important piece of the puzzle, followed by talent on the roster and a strong coaching staff, as well as adapting with the changes.
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That said, Whittingham made it clear college sports isnât going backward and teams need to embrace the new landscape. With regard to spending, he doesnât think itâll take long for teams to hit that $50 million mark.
âWhat it takes to win in college football in this day and age, in this order: great resources in the NIL area and space, outstanding players â which ties right into how much NIL you have â and then, coaching staff thatâs competent,â Whittingham told Jake Butt on The Blue Print podcast. âAgain, itâs in that order of importance. Thereâs going to be several teams in this â27 recruiting cycle that are $50 million-plus rosters. Youâve either got to keep up and embrace that or embrace irrelevance because itâs not changing, at least, right away.
Kyle Whittingham called for a cap on NIL spending after predicting that several teams could spend $50 million on rosters by 2027.
Whittingham emphasized that NIL resources are crucial for success in modern college football, alongside talent and a strong coaching staff.
Whittingham did not specify which teams would spend $50 million, but indicated that several teams could reach that figure by 2027.
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âItâs got to be completely overhauled in the not-too-distant future. Youâre already starting to see that with some of the things that are coming down the road.â
As the landscape continues to evolve, eligibility has also been a topic of concern. The NCAA Division I Board of Directors moved this week to advance talks of a 5-for-5 eligibility model, which some think could take effect as soon as the upcoming academic year.
Age-based eligibility was part of President Donald Trumpâs recent executive order on college sports, as was transfer portal reform. The order called for the NCAA to allow athletes to transfer one time without penalty, which would effectively put the âsit-out yearâ back in place for those who enter the portal again.
Those conversations are why Kyle Whittingham thinks an overhaul to the system is coming. But the biggest need, he said, is for a cap on NIL spending to further settle things.
âI think theyâre trying to rein that in,â Whittingham said of eligibility and the transfer portal. âThe biggest thing that needs to ⊠have some parameters and guardrails put on it is the NIL, which essentially is a salary cap. Thatâs the direction weâve got to head.â