Report: USC not planning to host traditional spring game amid changing landscape

USC is not planning to host a spring game this year, the Los Angeles Times’ Ryan Kartje reported. The program joins multiple others in doing away with the traditional game as a result of the changing college football landscape.

Instead of hosting a spring game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, USC will host a fan appreciation event with the program over the summer, Kartje reported. In addition, there will be a spring event with former players and the current roster. Spring practices will also remain closed to the public, Kartje said.

Multiple programs have come out and said they are either canceling their spring game or considering doing so amid concerns of tampering. Nebraska is one of the most notable examples as Matt Rhule said he “highly doubts” the Cornhuskers have a traditional spring scrimmage. He said some players received offers from other schools to enter the transfer portal during the spring window, which led to the decision.

“Fundamentally, I hate to say it like this, it’s really because last year, we were one of the more televised spring games and I dealt with a lot of people offering our players a lot of opportunities after that,” Rhule said. “To go out and bring in a bunch of players, and then showcase them for all the other schools to watch, that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore. It’s just absolute, free, open, common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world. I don’t want these guys all being able to watch our guys and say, ‘Wow, he looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’”

How other programs are approaching spring games

After Nebraska’s decision, a report said Texas was also considering doing away with its spring game this year after playing into January in the expanded College Football Playoff. The Longhorns played 16 games during the 2024 season. However, Steve Sarkisian hasn’t yet announced a decision on the scrimmage.

Florida head coach Billy Napier also discussed the future of spring games amid the changing landscape. He called it a “pick your poison” situation when it comes to playing a televised scrimmage at the end of spring practice.

“To each his own. I’m either going to have coaches tampering with my players, or I’m going to have a fanbase that’s pissed off at not having a spring game,” Napier said, via Graham Hall. “It’s pick your poison.”