In a recent meeting at the SEC spring meetings, football coaches expressed uncertainty about the upcoming settlement that could reshape college sports, particularly with regards to roster caps. While concrete answers are still months away, the coaches were united in their desire to include walk-ons as an integral part of college football going forward.

Mike Elko, the first-year coach of Texas A&M, strongly opposed the idea of capping rosters at 85 scholarship players, emphasizing that it goes against the principles and values of college football. Elko specifically highlighted the potential impact on Texas A&M's storied legacy and the opportunities for local players. He firmly stated, "I think that's something really bad for the sport."

Kirby Smart, the coach of Georgia, acknowledged the need to learn more about the settlement before forming definitive opinions. However, he expressed his bewilderment at the idea of eliminating walk-ons, citing the successes of coaches like Will Muschamp and Dabo Swinney, who began their careers as walk-ons. Smart stated, "I don't know anybody that would be against having walk-ons," highlighting the importance of fostering dreams and opportunities for aspiring players.

The issue of roster caps resonated with other coaches as well. Clark Lea, the coach of Vanderbilt and a former walk-on himself, understands the significance of giving athletes the chance to prove themselves on the field. Steve Sarkisian, coach of Texas, emphasized the value of walk-ons to his team, noting that Texas currently has 35 of them. Sarkisian expressed his hope for finding a common ground that allows for a reasonable number of players, enabling teams to operate effectively while maintaining the essence of college football.

The specific details of roster caps are yet to be determined, and commissioners and athletic directors will dedicate upcoming months to exploring potential solutions. It is clear that implementing a hard cap on scholarship players without accommodating walk-ons would face strong opposition. Coaches are enthusiastic about finding a balance that takes into account both on-field success and player development.

Kalen DeBoer, the coach of Alabama, highlighted the importance of roster size in terms of health, safety, and practice efficiency. He explained that having a larger roster allows coaches to manage practice loads and provide necessary playing time for developing players.

While the fate of walk-ons remains a pressing concern, coaches are eager to gather more information during the ongoing SEC meetings. Given that decisions regarding roster caps may not be made until after the 2024 season, there is time for open discussion and finding a common sense solution that benefits all stakeholders involved in college football.