Deion Sanders, the charismatic head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, has floated an intriguing idea to shake up the college football landscape. Sanders, known for his bold pronouncements and unconventional approach, suggests the NCAA should adopt a practice common in the NFL: allowing teams to scrimmage against other programs during spring practice. While this proposal is not entirely novel, it’s gaining traction due to Sanders’ influence and the potential benefits it could bring to college football. However, the current NCAA bylaws stand in the way, making it a distant possibility, at least for now.
Sanders articulated his vision on Monday, advocating for a shift towards the NFL preseason model. He envisions programs engaging in joint practices and scrimmages with other teams during the spring period, culminating in a spring game against an external opponent. "I would actually like to play the spring game against another team, in the spring," Sanders stated. "That’s what I’m trying to do right now. I would like to style it like the pros. I’d like to go against someone for a few days, and then you have the spring game. I think the public would be satisfied with that tremendously. I think it’s a tremendous idea."
Sanders has apparently made his case to individuals within the NCAA who, in his view, should recognize the merits of his proposal. However, the current regulations present a significant hurdle. An NCAA spokesman confirmed that under existing bylaws, teams are prohibited from competing against other schools during the spring. Therefore, Sanders’ vision remains a "pipe dream" for the time being. While the rules could potentially change in the future, such a significant alteration is unlikely to occur in the near future.
Despite the regulatory obstacles, the idea itself is undeniably compelling. NFL teams routinely conduct joint practices with other teams during training camp, allowing players to sharpen their skills against unfamiliar opponents and prepare for the upcoming season. In contrast, college teams primarily practice against themselves, culminating in an intrasquad scrimmage.
While most starters in the NFL typically sit out preseason games, they actively participate in these joint practices, providing valuable experience and a chance to refine their techniques. Sanders’ proposal aims to replicate this model at the college level, offering similar benefits to players and coaches.
However, there are potential drawbacks to consider. Joint practices in the NFL, while beneficial, are not without their risks. Paradoxically, some NFL teams are reducing the duration of these practices due to frequent altercations and brawls. The intensity of these sessions can sometimes escalate into unprofessional conduct.
During the summer of 2024, a joint practice between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants was marred by multiple fights, resulting in fines of $200,000 for both franchises. As Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes candidly admitted, "Man, look, that’s who we are. I mean we don’t take no (expletive). That’s, like I said, who we are. That’s what we do. It’s not like you go back and look it, and it’s us starting stuff. We just finished stuff, you know what I’m saying? We finished what was going on out there. That’s how you compete. When you compete at a high level, obviously we want to keep everyone healthy, everyone has a season to go play, but however the intensity is, we’re going to be higher than that."
Indeed, joint practices can become quite heated. The Associated Press reported that in 2023, approximately 80 percent of joint practices lasted two days. However, in recent years, a growing number of teams have opted for shorter sessions, with roughly two-thirds lasting only one day.
Former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh remarked, "One, to me, is plenty." Packers running back Josh Jacobs echoed this sentiment, stating, "Every time I’ve ever had a joint practice, the first day will be a little rough and then the second one ends in a fight."
In response to the escalating violence, the NFL issued a memo to teams last summer, warning that fights and unprofessional conduct at joint practices would not be tolerated. Packers coach Matt LaFleur observed that joint practices extending beyond one day often devolve into "a wrestling match out there or an MMA fight."
A similar atmosphere could potentially arise at joint college practices, regardless of the players’ amateur status. The intensity and competitiveness inherent in college football could easily lead to heated exchanges and physical altercations.
Despite the potential for conflict, NFL coaches generally appreciate joint practices as a welcome break from the monotony of training camp. These sessions provide an opportunity for teams to test their skills against unfamiliar opponents and gain valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses. College coaches would likely share this sentiment, as Sanders has suggested.
Moreover, joint practices are highly popular among fans. Sanders recognizes the potential for these events to draw significant crowds, revitalizing spring games and generating excitement around college football programs.
"The way the trend is going, is you never know if this is going to be the last spring game," Sanders noted. "Now, I dont believe in that, and I dont really want to condone that…To have it competitive, and to play against your own guys, it can get kind of monotonous, and you really cant tell the level of your guys."
Ultimately, the decision to allow college teams to scrimmage against other programs during the spring rests with the NCAA. The organization is known for its deliberate and cautious approach to rule changes, particularly those as significant as this one. Therefore, Sanders’ proposal remains just that: a proposal.
While it is a smart and forward-thinking idea, its implementation is far from certain. For now, it remains simply "talk," albeit "smart talk" with the potential to reshape the future of college football.
