In a critical August event on the college football calendar, over 700 off-field staffers gathered in a downtown Nashville hotel for the annual Personnel Symposium. These largely unknown but crucial individuals, who evaluate, recruit, and handle logistics behind the scenes, are the engines that keep the multi-million dollar businesses of college football running smoothly.

The symposium, attended by personnel and recruiting professionals from across the nation, provided a platform to discuss the future of the sport and the evolving nature of their roles in light of recent developments such as the House settlement and the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era. With positions like "general manager" now becoming prevalent in college football, the symposium shed light on the expanding opportunities in scouting, cap management, on-campus recruiting, and various other avenues within the industry.

Geoff Collins, who emerged as the first-ever director of player personnel at Georgia Tech in 2006, served as a pioneer in this field. Today, every college has someone in a similar role, highlighting the growing significance of personnel management in the game.

During the symposium, 247Sports had the opportunity to speak with numerous staffers, gaining insights into their expectations and strategies for coping with the impending changes. The looming question on everyone's minds was how teams would manage the massive transformations that lie ahead.

As the collegiate landscape experiences a seismic shift, the rise of NIL agreements and the House settlement have paved the way for a new era of college football. With player compensation and endorsement opportunities now on the table, teams are tasked with navigating new territory.

The symposium attendees acknowledged the challenges posed by these changes but also expressed excitement about the potential they bring. With the increased prominence of positions like general managers, the personnel landscape in college football is evolving rapidly. The symposium offered a glimpse into the strategies and solutions being devised by these behind-the-scenes powerhouses.

As the 2024 season approaches, teams from Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Ohio State held extended practices, both open and closed to the media, providing a preview of what they have in store for the expanded College Football Playoff. With a few weeks remaining before the season opener, the insights gained from the symposium will undoubtedly influence the way teams approach their preparations and make personnel decisions.

The Personnel Symposium served as a catalyst for discussions on the future of college football staffing, recruitment dynamics, and the ongoing changes that will shape the game for years to come.