Jimbo Fisher breaks down the perplexing situation with NIL, potential guardrails

With 13 years of collegiate head coaching experience, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher has seen changes come and go in the NCAA like waves in the ocean. However, the addition of NIL in 2021 was more like a tsunami.

A most perplexing case

Last week, SEC football coaches met and discussed league-wide issues, including rule changes, tampering, scheduling and NIL. Following the meeting, Fisher was kind enough to run the media through his thought process.

“The NIL is a very complex question. It’s complex for major lawyers who have done it for their whole life,” Fisher said at SEC Spring Meetings. “It’s probably one of the most perplexing cases in college athletics maybe ever.”

A&M, like other programs, is trying to navigate its way successfully through the NIL storm. Consequently, the Aggies boast players such as Evan Stewart, Tyreek Campbell and Walter Nolen, who nearly earn a combined $2 million.

If I had one college football player to take the next step in 2023 it’s Texas A&M WR Evan Stewart

An athletic playmaker with excellent ball skills who plays bigger than his size

Absolute superstar potential
pic.twitter.com/dFfTAhF0L3

— Joe O’Leary (@TheHQNerd) May 30, 2023

Fisher sees potential danger

Although NIL has benefitted many college athletes, some outsiders worry about the side effects of the lucrative sector. NIL has become an integral part of recruiting strategy, both out of high school and the transfer portal.

While Fisher is supportive of the new endeavor, he believes the NCAA must be careful.

“Everything has to have guard rails. That’s what we’re all trying to get a grasp of,” Fisher said. “The whole thing about NIL is trying to make fairness across the board. College athletics is based on fairness of competition. That’s the thing we have to find a way to regulate.”

NIL was created as a way for collegiate athletes to make money off their image. Yet, the practice has quickly transformed into a way for colleges to pay players legally. Programs with strong boosters such Miami, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Florida have especially benefitted from this change.

‘I don’t know’

Just last season, Texas A&M brought in eight five-star players, the most ever in one recruiting class. This fact only makes Fisher’s criticisms ring louder.

“I don’t know the answer,” Fisher said.

While Fisher doesn’t know what the future of NIL looks like, he certainly has a vision for his team. The Aggies failed to meet expectations last season, going 5-7 and not making a bowl game. He doesn’t intend to let history repeat itself.

Watch Texas A&M attempt to change the narrative as it kicks off the season against New Mexico on Sept. 2 at Kyle Field.