Get ready for even more transfers with the new 4 game rule, possibly an unintended consequence. Jalen McCleskey, he of 167 career receptions, 6th all time in school history, announced after 4 games he isn't getting enough touches, so he's redshirting and transferring away from Oklahoma State.
I'm all for letting players move like we do coaches, but from a fan standpoint, it will start to deteriorate my interest in the game, as it already has with basketball, when each year is a seemingly new jumble of one and dones and grad transfers.
ESPNU radio was blasting them this morning, saying these aren't sure NFL guys that can deal with these types of red flags, that McCleskey is a borderline NFLer who will probably spend a good deal of time on special teams, and when you are picking names out of a hat as a 5th or 6th round WR pick, who likely isn't going to be a star, who quit on his teammates in the middle of the season because he wasn't getting enough touches? Particularly when he has the 6th most catches in school history? Does that sound like a guy who is going to give 110% to whatever role you give him?
They also touched on something that I've thought has been increasing for a while. Obviously the NFL is the goal, but the journey is pretty damn fun too. That instead of enjoying being the legendary high school senior, or the BMOC in college, everyone views every step as nothing more than a way to reach the next step. Graduating high school early to get into spring drills, jumping school to school to maximize exposure. Living life that way seems like a recipe for regret, considering the vast, vast majority are already playing at the highest level they ever will.
I think the increased camp, football 247 lifestyle probably is a factor here. Their "team" isn't their high school team, playing with the same kids in football, then basketball, then baseball. That's one of many teams they play for. They have their 7 on 7 tournaments, camps all summer long. They play on a bunch of teams, and their college is just another team, as easily discarded as their 7 on 7 squad.
Again, I don't blame them, and don't want to restrict them. Just from a fan standpoint (and that's what finances the whole thing) it does start to wane my interest, when I can't identify guys on other teams. And I do worry about the regrets they have down the road by listening to the wrong people in their ear.