Dabo Swinney Criticizes Changes to Scholarship Rules

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has expressed strong opposition to new college football roster regulations that could effectively eliminate walk-on players, a move stemming from a court settlement in the House vs. NCAA case. Starting in the 2025-26 season, teams will be limited to a total roster size of 105 players, all of whom must receive full scholarships, removing the previous flexibility of having walk-ons. Swinney emphasized the value of walk-ons, who contribute significantly to team practices and depth, stating, "It’s a really sad thing to me." He noted that while the settlement provisions may benefit other sports, they pose serious unintended consequences for football programs. Swinney's remarks come at a time when major college programs are increasingly relying on the transfer portal, posing challenges for teams that prefer to develop homegrown talent. The changes are expected to increase player transfers and dissatisfaction among scholarship players who may not see adequate playing time.