Let’s be real for a second—college football isn’t what it used to be. Once upon a time, it was about passion, school pride, and young athletes grinding their way to the top. Now? It’s a multimillion-dollar bidding war. With the NIL era in full swing, high school kids—barely old enough to vote—are securing million-dollar deals before even stepping onto a college campus. Education? Almost an afterthought. Development? Secondary to dollar signs. And let’s not even talk about financial literacy—because, spoiler alert, most of these kids don’t have it. But while the entire landscape of college football is turning into a Wild West of NIL money and instant transfers, Clemson’s head coach, Dabo Swinney, is here to remind everyone that this might not be the golden era people think it is.

On April 2nd, Dabo Swinney sat down with George Wrighster on the Unafraid Show and didn’t hold back. He’s been catching heat for his takes on NIL for years, but this time, he put it all on the table. “What I said was, if they professionalize college athletics, it doesn’t become scholastic anymore,” Swinney explained. “That’s because I’m passionate about education.” He has a double degree. Dabo Swinney can talk the talk. He wasn’t done, either. Swinney, who’s been vocal about his old-school approach, laid down some hard truths about the reality of life after football—truths a lot of these young players ain’t trying to hear.

Dabo Swinney kept it real: “We have a responsibility to educate our young people. 98% of college players do not play in the NFL.” Swinney continued. “Football’s not a game of longevity, all right? And we have to emphasize and prioritize education. And we have to emphasize and prioritize education.” Swinney dropped a stat that should make any young athlete think twice: 98% of college football players will never play in the NFL. If football doesn’t work out, what’s the backup plan? NIL money won’t last forever, and without an education, what’s left?

Dabo Swinney also reminded everyone of another brutal truth: “78% of NFL players, within two years of being out of the league, are bankrupt.” That’s right—most of the guys who make it to the NFL and secure life-changing contracts still lose it all. So, what do you think happens when an 18-year-old gets a million-dollar NIL deal with zero financial literacy?

“I’ve never wanted my guys to be a statistic like that,” Swinney doubled down. “You think we’re gonna—and those are mid-20s to 30-year-olds. You think we’re gonna get a different result with an 18, 19, 20-year-old? No. It’s gonna be worse.” Honestly, he’s not wrong.

We’re already seeing stories of recruits chasing NIL deals over development, transferring schools left and right because the next payday looks better. Long gone are the days of building something, fighting for a program, and earning your spot. Now? It’s all about the bag—until the bag runs dry.

If done right, NIL could be life-changing. Players could learn financial literacy, graduate debt-free, and build a foundation for life after football. But that’s not what’s happening. Right now, it’s a free-for-all, with no real guidance, no long-term strategy, and a whole lot of young athletes making decisions that might not benefit them in the long run.

And that’s the uncomfortable truth nobody wants to hear. NIL isn’t the enemy. The lack of structure, education, and long-term planning? That’s the real villain. While Swinney was out here dropping truth bombs, Clemson’s Pro Day was proving exactly why his words hold weight.

Clemson’s Pro Day had eyes on it way beyond just NFL scouts

On March 12th, all eyes were on the Tigers as their draft-eligible players put on a show for NFL scouts ahead of next month’s draft. When it comes to a program like Clemson, every team across the league wants a piece of the action. That’s why all 32 NFL teams had reps in attendance. Most programs are lucky to get a handful of scouts, but Clemson? They had the full squad pulling up. And while most teams sent top scouts, the Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t playing around—head coach Mike Tomlin showed up to get an up-close look at the Tigers’ talent. But here’s where things got interesting—Clemson’s Pro Day wasn’t just attracting NFL scouts. NASCAR reps were also in the building. Yeah, you read that right. NASCAR.

If that sounds strange, it shouldn’t. Over the past few years, there’s been a growing trend of former football players transitioning into NASCAR pit crews. Why? Because these guys are freak athletes, and if the NFL doesn’t work out, their strength, speed, and coordination make them perfect for the high-speed, high-intensity world of professional racing. A prime example? Former Clemson linebacker Jonathan Willard jumped from the gridiron to the pit lane, proving that there’s life after football—even if it doesn’t involve playing on Sundays. NASCAR sees the potential, so they’re scouting Pro Days like the NFL.

At the end of the day, Clemson’s Pro Day highlighted the exact point Swinney was making—football doesn’t last forever. Whether it’s the NFL, NASCAR, or another path entirely, these athletes need to be prepared for what comes next. And if the current NIL landscape doesn’t change? A whole lot of them won’t be.