Wow. College football is in shambles right now, and Joel Klatt isn’t holding back. The guy went scorched earth on the NCAA for letting a bunch of out-of-touch suits steer the ship sideways. You know the type—the old-school folks clutching onto traditions like they’re still living in the 80s, all while trying to mash modern systems like NIL and the transfer portal into the mix. It’s like trying to shove a square peg into a round hole—it just doesn’t work. Period. And guys like Beau Pribula? They’re the ones getting chewed up and spit out by this mess.

On December 16th, the fan-favorite analyst Joel Klatt went off on NCAA during ‘The Next Round’ podcast. Klatt’s rant? Pure gold. The man didn’t mince words: “It’s such a flawed system that it makes my head explode…We continually allow, in our sport, the Old Guard to create the new structures.” He’s fed up—and honestly, who can blame him? Instead of building a system that actually works, the NCAA keeps throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it sticks. Spoiler: it doesn’t.

So here’s the deal: Beau Pribula is Penn State’s backup QB, and he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. The guy wanted to stay with his team through the playoffs—loyalty, right? But the transfer portal deadline forced his hand. Either leave early and hit the portal or risk losing a spot somewhere else. And James Franklin? Oh, he’s fuming. “I’m concerned for college football right now,” Franklin said. Yeah, no kidding, Coach. It’s a holy mess. Imagine being Pribula: You’re sitting there trying to balance your future with your team’s playoff run—and instead of support, you get caught up in NCAA red tape. It’s like playing musical chairs where the music stops early, and you’re still scrambling for a seat.

But here’s the twist—Pribula didn’t have to leave. Technically, players can stick around their current teams until they officially sign somewhere else. Pribula’s still on the Penn State roster, and he’s planning to finish the season. So why jump into the portal now? Timing, baby. This ain’t about scholarships or getting left in limbo; it’s about making the right move before someone else snags the opportunity.

Is the NCAA really behind Beau Pribula’s misery?

The heartbreaking part? Pribula grew up dreaming of being Penn State’s starting QB. I mean, who doesn’t? That’s the type of childhood fantasy you hold on to until reality slaps you in the face. No starting job. No game tape. And let’s be real—teams aren’t lining up with blank checks based on potential. College football’s a business now, and the clock’s ticking. It’s not just Pribula. This entire system is rigid to its core. The NCAA was supposed to protect players and player’s interests, remember? Instead, they’ve tossed guys like Pribula into a two-week frenzy, forcing them to gamble their entire future on a quick-fire decision. What even? It’s like asking someone to pick a career path while their house is on fire.

Klatt’s right. The NCAA keeps building this Frankenstein’s monster of a system where the old-school traditions and the new-school realities are literally smushed together like mismatched puzzle pieces. Bowl season? Doesn’t mesh with the playoffs. NIL? Doesn’t fit with amateurism. And the transfer portal? It’s an unhinged free-for-all. Beau Pribula’s story is just one piece of a bigger puzzle. He’s not some cautionary tale—the guy’s making a calculated move, and he’ll probably land on his feet. But the chaos he’s navigating? That’s on the NCAA. They had one job: to protect the players. Instead, they’re throwing these kids into a storm of deadlines, pressure, and impossible decisions.

Joel Klatt’s frustration isn’t just valid—it’s necessary. Somebody’s had to call out the Old Guard for clinging to their outdated traditions while the players keep paying the price. And until something changes, dudes like Pribula will keep getting caught in the middle, left to figure it all out on their own.

Seriously, NCAA—do better, old-timers.